Famous Last Words: How Hard Could It Be?

[@steveclarke1764]

5:23 that pond seems to be filling up nicely

[@larrysmith2481]

Adam, I was sitting here on this Sunday morning and realized that I have been watching you for 2 years. During those two years we sold our home in Arizona and built a new home in Northwest Alabama. Those two milestones for us, among others, consumed 2 years and this morning I realized how fast time goes by. I have watched you make mistakes, grow your family, meet your parents, make new friends like Doug and learned from you that patience is necessary for anything you do in life. Thanks Adam I wouldn't trade the last two years for anything.

[@vaughnmaurt5013]

This idea turned out to be a great project…glad to be watching

[@billthompson9482]

I would avoid cold joints, it is not hard to build forms all the way up the set of stairs. Use rebar top to bottom and across each tread, raise rebar two inches up off the stone bed, anchor each tread as you proceed up the steps. This will keep the steps from moving down and shifting. Dig down Deeper on each side to act as a foundation. Frost an ice will want to shift the staircase all over the place. Do it once do it right and it will last. use a transit mix it will be about the same price, pore it all at once.

[@57Dalv]

Nice job Adam. As a concrete finisher in a past life a couple suggestions: pull up the rebar - it should be in the center of the concrete and wired together. I would have added more bars but not a big deal - more ties to the next step would be good and they should be tied to the grid below. Also, get yourself a concrete float - you are using a finish trowel where the float works better for the initial pour - keep it flat with the purpose to push the rocks down and the cement paste up so you have that to finish - whether for smooth or stamped finish. Yes, a mixer will make it much easier. All in all, great job!

[@HometownAcres]

Thank you!

[@springhollerfarm8668]

I also mentioned putting rebar into the ground, to prevent slippage over time but was unsure if the pros would agree...

[@ProductiveRecreation]

Nice job on the finish on that pad with the hand mixing. I hope it pitches away from the staircase! Doing 1 step at a time, the problem you’ll have is the cold joints between each step. It only takes a tiny crack infiltrated with water and a freeze to ruin things. The cold joints are discontinuities in the concrete prone to separate (crack). Every step surface needs to pitch away from the cold joint where each step sits on the one below. With your rough stone finish, water may also be more likely to get trapped or concentrate in locations running down the stair face, which could be trouble. Check your pitch on each step surface!

[@HometownAcres]

I made sure that the bubble on the level was touching the line on the uphill side or where the cold joint should be so there should be sufficient pitch to shed water away

[@davidepperson2376]

Yeah, cold joints are no bueno.

[@craigsudman4556]

Hey Adam as a carpenter I had little need for doing a lot of cement work, however I did occasionally need to mix a pallet or two of Sakrete for some jobs. I quickly realized how tedious it was to mix concrete by hand and decided to purchase a low cost mixer from Harbour Freight. I now refer to my mixer as one of the most important tools that I have ever bought for my business. I made sure to take good care of it and wash it after every job, I've had it since 1988 and it still works fine. Even though it's a lightweight mixer I did all the mixing for a 5,000 block basement that I helped a fellow contractor with. Good machine, well worth the money that I spent on it. Great video thumbs up.

[@user-xg1iy9dx6o]

I would recommend that you consider PT wooden stairs in place of the concrete. But if your dead set on concrete look into prefab stairs that you could drop in place. Plum level and backfill and you will be complete before the snow flys.

[@IndyFarmLife]

I don't know why I had thought you were planning wooden steps up that. This will be a much better long term, maintenance free solution, but a lot of work getting there! Looks like a good start.

[@JustinTen8]

Adam, are you going to put hand rails going up the stairs? I would recommend you do so, and maybe you could anchor them in the next step when you pour the concrete

[@dannygenetin2270]

I would put expansion against the rocks edges on the sides. This will protect it from cracking/chipping as it rises and settles in the winter

[@JohnSmith-tv5ep]

ADAM, I'm sure you've seen 'Concrete with the Hause's YT channel, (good friend of Mike Morgan).Tom has a lot of information on pouring, stamping and finishing in his videos. To see someone tackle a job they never did before, and throwing it out there on You Tube,.... I give you Kudos Dude! Concrete ain't easy (as you now know !) Nice project, good job!

[@katieleonard6391]

You maybe able to rent a cement mixer from a equipment rental place. Another idea, some of the concrete plants have mini cement mixers that they fill with 4-5 yards of concrete and it looks like a tiny cement truck but on a trailer that you can pull with your pickup truck. Idk if you have that available but if so it would be worth checking out. Keep up the good work!!

[@Kevin_D1]

Just my opinion. It's been about 26 years since I worked concrete, but this is what I can remember about using rebar. Pound the rebar in the ground every 2 or three feet. The rebar should be driven in the ground about 12 inches. Leave about 3 to 4 inches above ground. Tie the rebar that you had going horizontal together with the pounded rebar with metal wire. This will better support the pad to the ground. I believe my boss used to reference a guide about how the rebar should be placed and tied together. This helps tie the pad to the ground. I could be wrong.

[@ModernCountryLiving]

Nice project. Water management will be important...both under the steps (excellent drainage will be key) and on top as you don't have a monolithic piece of concrete. You may experience some shifting of the pieces....but for hillside steps I think it will be fine. I like the finish! Nice touch! It will look great. Having hand mixed a lot of concrete, perhaps a mixer is in your future if more projects like this are coming along? Even one from Harbor Freight would be a good addition. Looking forward to seeing the results!

[@Academy_Farm]

Thanks for taking us along. Now I'm dreaming up all the places I need stamped concrete steps!

[@mikecorrado4971]

Good job Adam. I’ve noticed that your excavator operating skills have really improved a lot since you got the machine.

[@KwanTao69]

Tom Haus would be proud of you. Nice job.

[@jacklachman5304]

Not to damn bad for your first time! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the build & finished project Have a Day 😊

[@l.j.b9863]

Adam, if you can put a packer under the rebar to centre it in your slab, use fine wire to tie all the rebar together and use more if possible. If there is a ready mix concrete yard near you I would put an ibc tote on pallet with the plastic top cut off in trailer and get ready mix, it should work out cheaper, be stronger and save a lot of energy. Cover loosely freshly laid concrete with plastic sheet to stop it drying and curing too quickly if it's a hot day. It will look fantastic when complete. My best advise, don't rush it. Take one step at a time, measure twice and finish each step to the very best of your ability. Good luck mate

[@cattigereyes1]

Question would a concrete pad that side need a joint for cracks?

[@Deutschehordenelite]

Definitely a DIY possible job, or a sidejob for a couple concrete guys. Steps is not something Id recommend for beginners. Especially stamped concrete. But you did pretty good, especially for a first time. Connecting the steps with a couple pieces of rebar should be enough, a layer of felt between each pour wouldn't really help that much I think. Concrete cracks and the first step is big enough that it eventually will. So better cut 1 or 2 control joints. Better they crack there than somewhere visible. One mistake you made was to not pull up the rebar, it won't do much laying flat on the bottom. Cement is only one component of concrete btw, not interchangeable. Edit: Also the stone needs to be compacted, not just loosely spread out.

[@Thunderst0rn]

Hi Adam, great job! Certainly a nice example for many of your viewers. Some small advise on the iron reinforcement of the concrete, make sure the rod is in the centre. You can achieve this by laying the rods on a few small stones that will become part of the concrete afterwards

[@stevehennessy3588]

Looking good - can't wait to see the rest of the build.

[@happycamper9300]

I usually use those Quickrette premixed bag for sidewalks and other nonstructural concrete small work. As it happened to you always use more than estimated. So, I get a Medium stone bag (about 30~40 Lbs) and pour about half with each concrete bag, this is about one rubber bucket of stone. This gives me 2 advantages. 1. The concrete bags will cover more area 2. The finish product is better and stronger since the premixed only have some sort of gravel.

[@BuildItFixItDIY]

? I thought sand (which is about as small as you can get) and Portland is the strongest therefore adding rock would make it weaker?

[@jnorman1986]

Amazing job, Adam! Thank you for taking us on this journey with you 🙏 💯😎👍

[@ClintsHobbiesDIY]

Great start Adam. As a DIY guy I'll be following this closely.

[@DDL2728]

Adam, you have got this KZbin stuff figured out!! Your content is always interesting, your background music is the best, & you've got great help with your Mom & Dad!! ❤ Your step looks perfect! It's so good that you put the stamp on it, so y'all don't slip!! You made your excavator work look so easy!! Thanks for your channel! 👍👍God bless you and your family!! Oh, just to make you feel better about your temps, we're going to be 107° today, heat index of 115°, & no rain since March!! We're setting records that are miserable!! We're crispy!! 😵‍💫

[@HometownAcres]

Oof. How’s the humidity. That’s what’s been killing us here. I’ve been to Vegas when it was 110 and no humidity and I’d take that over 82 and humid here in the east. You walk outside and are immediately sweating

[@DDL2728]

@HometownAcres The humidity has been very high for the past 3 months, but it's only 33% today!! 👍 But, 107° is warm. I actually took 3 showers yesterday!! 😵‍💫 Hope it cools off fast for y'all so you can sell all that firewood!! 🙏 So love your videos!!

[@MyClarissa21]

You have given it a lot of thought and your hard and meticulous work is paying off as always . You are a teacher, a true leaded for many of us and watching you making , creating, and taking us every step of the way is not only motivational but empowering . For our generation and I hope the one that come behind. Thank you very much😊❤ Adam.

[@HometownAcres]

Thank you!

[@bmwbaker]

Nice job Adam. I can’t wait to see the next “step” in you project.

[@TheCerberus911]

Looking good. May want to plan ahead for low voltage lighting for the step area?

[@georgesalamon8128]

Looks great Adam, nice job!

[@robertwazniak9495]

I would add more than two rebar to connect the steps… especially being steel they are going to rust away at those cold joints between the steps. And, might I suggest going with fiberglass rebar? It is a little more but the rusting and staining of your steps will be eliminated. Also, see if you can find a roller with your pattern… it will make it a lot easier/ faster to do. Yes, watching you mix the concrete in the bucket made my back hurt… that is waaay too much like work. Get a mixer. Even a rental for a week would be better but. harbor freight or Home Depot has them cheap. Mix until the excavator bucket is full and place, strike off and cover with plastic until you have all the concrete in place. I like the process you are using… one step at a time makes perfect sense.

[@I_must_get_a_van]

I think you are on the right track. The problem I see is that you have set the side rocks in place and it looks like the steps get smaller as you go up. The blue form for the front of each step is a particular length. The side rocks really need to be put in last to make the process easier. Cheers Steve from Australia

[@richardmain8059]

Looks Great, not being afraid to try and planning your process so important. Your skill set is growing and in the years ahead you can reflect on “I did that”. You always hear about how individuals build their first home you are building that story as you move forward. 😀👍👍👍

[@meraftis]

Wow Adam. You are an amazing host!

[@michaeldaniel7012]

One suggestion, I add a little bit of cement to each batch to get a little more cream to work with when finishing. Good luck. Looks good.

[@billh2735]

You are indeed a very brave man Adam for tackling such a daunting task. I know the results will be great and worth your time and effort. Stay safe and healthy. Bill H from Cranberry Township

[@darthgbc363]

Good. Like what you're doing here. My brother & I have always used a tiny power mixer. But after seeing alot of dry pour methods on KZbin, I'm tempted to try that for the next project. Along with adding PEX tubing to melt snow. I really like my brother's heated floor in his shop.

[@jasonhughes638]

Amazing to see how your home changes over the years I've been watching your channel, Adam. These projects snowball and lead onto three more. Wonderful!

[@HometownAcres]

People always ask, don’t you run out of things to film. Never. We are always trying to make our home a better place

[@FirewoodontheHill]

That step looks great. Concrete is something I’m intimidated by even though it’s a simple concept. I like the idea of back filling the front edge so you don’t have to weed wack it there later.

[@J.B.2]

If you want to tie in all the stairs, runs a few rebar rods the length or the stairs. Maybe wire mesh set in or put fiber mesh in the concrete mix. I suggest a concrete mixer (rent or purchase) would speed things up You can also add color to the mix instead of just throwing it on top

[@On_The_Farm]

Hey Adam. Mixed many bags of concrete myself. It could be quicker and easier to form all the stairs and bring redimix in to finish it off. In lieu of that, get a concrete mixer that you can do 2 or 3 bags at a time.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Looks great so far. That was a lot of work mixing by hand!

[@HometownAcres]

Yep. Once you start you can’t stop though so I had no choice but to persevere.

[@chrisyohn7054]

I saw an old Andrew camarata video where he put the bags of concrete mix and water in the back of an old dump truck and used the excavator to mix it up and scooped it into his project.

[@jjdoutdoors]

Looks good Adam!

[@montymc450]

You're quite accurate with the Hyundai. Im impressed . Marvellous

[@TravisDoesFirewood]

No negative comments from me, Adam. Nicely done for a homeowner. Just hope you washed out your excavator bucket so no concrete set in your bucket. Keep on the good work and videos 👍

[@welderman1221]

You did a very good job!!

[@goodness-mercy]

Couldn't have done it better myself! Good job!!!!

[@johncollins500]

Adam for first time doing concrete, I think you done a great job. Steps will have a unique look with the rocks up the side. Looking forward to step # 2.

[@jimstewart8927]

Believe the added (stone/gravel=3/4 inch) is excellent idea, add additional Portland if you want more strength and maintain that "low slump"! Raise the hoe bucket off the ground during preparing product would probably help too! Thanks for the video

[@tbirdracefan]

A small cement mixer is a valuable tool even for small jobs. Mine seems like it pays for itself every time I use it. I have the big harbor freight one but I have seen people on KZbin do much bigger jobs than I have done with a smaller mixer.

[@AlexeiTetenov]

Thanks for sharing!

[@dereksellars]

Use a garden hoe to mix instead of a shovel. Thanks for the videos!!

[@terrylandis6831]

Looks great!

[@nickjurmann8266]

Nice job Adam. Looks great!👍

[@paulwiebe6958]

Looks good...so far.

[@DM-eb7tu]

Hi Adam, i often wonder how you have so much knowledge at such a young age. I know its going to be beautiful like all your other projects. Thank you!!!

[@Beachwriter]

Very creative use of your combination skills you described in your last video.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Phenomenal work, sir. I have a freestanding concrete mixer, but I don’t think it makes it easier. You have to lift the bags up higher and then it makes a mess when you dump the mixer My advice would be keep mixing it in your bucket, but use a paddle bit on a good corded drill Sorry to be the Internet advice guy

[@HometownAcres]

Wish I had read this earlier. I just bought a mixer from harbor freight and assembled this afternoon haha

[@Chrispy9393]

Hell yeah brother! That's beautiful. You should get a cheapo mixer from harbor freight and maybe do a short video on putting it together with a follow-up after the projects done. From what I've heard they are actually great units for DIY guys like us!

[@HometownAcres]

Just bought one today

[@Chrispy9393]

@@HometownAcres 💪

[@PurpleCollarLife]

1st step looks great! 1 step at a time.

[@thereplacementfordisplacement]

Saw some Victory Style @VictoryOutdoorServices techniques there. Only concern I have is settling of the dirt there, if I remember correctly it was kind of rushed. I think professionals would have installed some sonotubes below frost line. I have a Harbor Freight mixer, built good enough for a homeowner, would be big enough for this job. Have Doug set it up to work on your excavator to mix on to level but lower it down to dump on lower level. A slightly bigger more expensive unit would be worthwhile looking into as well since you have the space.

[@bryanritts213]

looks great!

[@OldIronAcres]

Great Job! Looking forward to seeing the final results Adam!

[@darrellhigley4523]

Good job, seemed like it was going to be a lot to hand mix, glad you are planning on using a machine for the rest...maybe your neighbor Doug @oneeyecustoms has one or has access to one. Landscaping is looking GREAT

[@TripleTAcres]

Great job!!

[@RanczoMacieja]

Looks great. Greetings from Poland.

[@raylosak4731]

Nice job Adam!

[@welderman1221]

You should have called TSH concrete Tom and his crew are the bestest!!!

[@OakAcre]

That is a big task! I think it's going to turn out great! Couple of things I would recommend: one you need to vibrate the concrete in some manner. There are cheap vibrators you can buy at harbor freight. Or I have seen people use a sawzall with success. Two, I would put more reinforcement between the layers, I would say maybe a Z shaped bar that connects them would be helpful. For a mixer, I have seen a product called a Mud Mixer, and it looks like it would be perfect for this job. Sunbelt rents them. But it maybe cheaper to buy a small mixer at harbor freight. But it looks good so far!

[@davidcheever8175]

You did a good job for doing it for the first time. All the other steps will be smaller and shouldn't take as long.

[@colearagon4877]

Nice job adam 👏 always add your water first

[@MrThorp1]

im merely just past the intro and im looking forward to this. the first time doing stairs is fairly daunting. they get much easier as they go, very much looking forward to editing this comment in 15 minutes, lol

[@MrThorp1]

a mixer and a tamper for stomping the texture pad into the concrete. Id say those are the only things youre missing. Great job, great plan and ideas.

[@shannonphillips3869]

Very cool!

[@thomasryan8218]

Great job Adam.

[@joegentile8409]

Hey Adam try and cut the concrete with relief cuts while the concrete is still green. You could cut it on a diamond pattern. Looks real good with stamped concrete.

[@joegentile8409]

The relief cuts allow it to crack when it settles in the cut as opposed to the surface. When I use to work concrete we would do the diamond pattern with stamped vs square cut on driveways and sidewalks. The diamond gives it a huge flagstone paver look. Also don’t forget to seal your concrete after you clean it.

[@bsckozak543]

Hopefully all will go well Adam. But if disaster strikes and you have to start over there is a company in the north hills of Pittsburgh which manufacturers precast flights of steps that can be delivered and craned in on-site. They also make other precast products such as basement entry stairs. Patrick from Pittsburgh.

[@travislee273]

I’ve heard rebar isn’t always necessary unless a certain thickness and if it’s weight bearing

[@ebutuoy451]

Saw the pond in the background. It looks like it’s holding water the way it should. Ice skating, here we come!

[@HometownAcres]

Hopefully as long as we get a cold enough winter

[@jimwiskus8862]

That is a super super start. I am curious to what the concrete finishing folks think. My first gut instinct is to trowel it smooth so you don’t give ice a foot hold. I was always afraid maybe the ice forming could cause premature breakdown in the recesses. This is not a criticism, just a question. See you in the next installment.

[@tassiehandyman3090]

Adam, I have to tell you this... my daughter is 13, and she loves running our 1.8T Kubota excavator. She watched this video over my shoulder for a bit...She says your stick and boom control are good, but your wrist needs work...😂... so says the expert with maybe 50 hours of seat time...😂👍🇦🇺 Keep up the great work, brother...

[@HometownAcres]

Can’t argue with her there. She’s got a good eye haha

[@blklbluvr]

I guess kids with heavy equipment are like a kid with electronics, they can run circles around us oldsters.

[@fabioforni5722]

Well done your turning into a Mike Morgan Jr on your excavator. You have a great eye and can't wait to see the finished product. Also how's the pond doing.

[@henrymorgan3982]

Good job! That excavator is paying off in spades!

[@kennethcoder2989]

Looks good to me.

[@ryanw7553]

Can you put the link for the stone stamps you used. Looks great

[@howard5567]

Adam: Not to bad for a start. Myself, I'd rent mixer, if I did not already have two. I found in a local pawn shop. You also need, a cooler & lawn chair!

[@joesixpack8305]

Thought I was watching Concrete with the Hauses there for a minute. 😊

[@davidepperson2376]

Great work, and I love your channel. Re the steps, how stable is that slope? I’m a licensed concrete contractor (and an accountant lol) and my concern is with regard to what will be anchoring the steps to the earth? When I saw you digging the bottom step I was really thinking you’d go at least 12”-15” below grade into undisturbed soil so as to create a footing/anchor to support the weight of the steps above and ultimately keep them from slowly sliding down hill. Perhaps I’m wrong, but food for thought. Ps I suppose if it starts to become a problem you might be able to pour a footing below and in front of that first step. Pps I’ve never seen anyone pour 1 step at a time - I’m excited to see how it turns out! Great work and great channel!

[@HometownAcres]

Great suggestions. Thank you

[@backyardcountrylivin1514]

Hi Adam, looks nice. I see what you mean about a lot of work involved. Was wondering if the pond is filling up after the rework. Thanks.

[@AlexeiTetenov]

If you're going to use a bunch more concrete please consider getting a “mud mixer“ which makes mixing concrete 10x faster. Maybe you can work out a sponsorship deal.

[@blklbluvr]

Adam how do you plan on supporting the rough cut edge on the next step for a uniform look? I mean it will want to flex on its own from the weight of the concrete. Nice video. It’s always good to try new things especially out of your comfort zone.

[@HometownAcres]

The video I watched the guy just used a bunch of 5 gallon buckets with gravel in them to support the form after each step was poured

[@robertwazniak9495]

@@HometownAcresthat method might work but I would cut a 3/4” board to back up the rubber. Those things are form liners not self supporting forms. You may blow the form out or end up with an edge that looks like a line of 5-gallon buckets supported it. Keep those buckets close together and with the wood bridging from one to the next, it should hold it in place nicely. You might want to nail the form to the buckets as well to keep it from rising up while you place the concrete… forms with stakes don’t have that issue. What could go wrong, eh?

[@ericmcrae7758]

What a great investment your excavator has been you seem to find more and more uses for it. It easily pays for its self.

[@springhollerfarm8668]

Not a pro by any means, but I have done some diy cement work. I may be wrong, but I would run some rebar or a couple fence posts into the ground a couple feet and pour over them so the whole thing won't "slide" down over time. Like I said, I am not an expert. Otherwise, I think you did well. Also, do your research before buying a cement mixer... Many are just so small or underpowered.

[@wildandliving]

Get navy jack and the cement bags it goes alot further then pre-made mix

[@robertmccall8666]

I wounder about doing dry pour i see thats the new internet craze ... I would of borrowed a cement mixer

[@LilYeshua]

Only thing I can see is hopefully you pulled the rebar up into the lower third of the slab. Also you want a quarter inch of cement cream on top and that the rocks in the top are sunk down so that a few years later they won't be exposed. A 3" slump would be best to keep the cement water ratio high enough so that the top coat of cement doesn't wear down prematurely. Lastly,keep the grade right as if it's too deep you'll be using a lot of extra concrete to finish the job

[@greggmcclelland8430]

You can take each 60 lb bag and pour it between two 5 gal buckets with water until its mixed. Its about as efficient as a cement mixer timewise and nearly the same amount of labor. you can set it up on a trailer or pickup truck tailgate to keep from bending over as you open the bags with a box cutter. I have a menards cement mixer that works well, but for smaller jobs its not worth it. It only holds a couple 60 lb bags. You also have to store it some place when you are not using it. Cleaning it is harder than cleaning buckets. And the bucket method takes no gas or electric. its easier on the body because using a rake or shovel requires more force than just lifting 60 lbs and using gravity to mix the cement.

[@robertneilitz4926]

maken sure you put a railing up for us seniors and soon to be seniors