Replacing a concrete drainage basin

Help Support the channel:
Patreon - / gcfd
Buy Me A Coffee - www.buymeacoff...
Paypal - www.paypal.com...

[@drliamdaasian5153]

Love when you talk about being good with working with others. Great work with positive commentary 👍

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I never know if anyone is interested in hearing about stuff like that.

[@drliamdaasian5153]

@@GCFD you do a nice mix of music and informative commentary 👍

[@DaddyBeanDaddyBean]

That's good stuff too. In the long run, it's good for everybody - your company, the concrete company, your crew, his crew, your customers, his customers, the people all those customers talk to... you might lose $10 on this job, but you'll make $20 on another job that otherwise might have gone to someone else.

[@bennymurphy154]

@@GCFD o

[@wallingj68]

Not only does your work ethic/beliefs enable you to have good concrete guys, but you have a concrete crew as well, that are happy to work with you and for you. Good job Shawn!

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@larryehrlich57]

I love seeing that old man outside with the concrete crew...good for him!!!

[@GCFD]

That''s Harvey the owner of the concrete company I use.

[@samcooper7009]

Your comments about sharing out the job to Harvey is commendable. Sharing the pie is the best way for all to grow. It's very decent of you. Not to be blinded by greed.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@alannewhall2323]

I learned along time ago in the Army, you get the help you give. Good job.

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@johnknightiii1351]

By using the Harvey and his concrete crew you are able to take on more and bigger jobs because your guys can focus on what you do best and finish sooner. Not subbing out would slow things down too much. It's a win win

[@GCFD]

I agree John. I love win win.

[@rab_media]

I am 15 and for some reason I am hooked on watching your videos keep on doing great work

[@GCFD]

Thank you! Thanks for watching! - Shawn

[@timberhitchllc]

Excellent points regarding the benefits of contractor relationships. "Professional karma". I wouldn't be able to sleep at night with that lid on a job I did. Next pour, have the guys frame-up a new one and swap it out next time you're in the neighborhood.

[@GCFD]

If we do any more work in the complex we will definitely replace it. There's one more that we set back and looks kinda bad. Hindsight!

[@wcsd9577]

One other benefit is that you can pay very close attention to what the concrete crew is doing and try to emulate it next time. Maybe not as well as they did, or to the scale that they do, but maybe you have a curb or something like that and instead of calling them for a small job you're able to do it yourself. Every time you hire a professional whether they are concrete finishers or electricians or plumbers, always try to learn something and you may end up using later and saving yourself time and money. When I first started out I worked with an old timer who told me, as a general contractor, you need to know how to do everything but you won't be able to do all of it perfectly, to do as much as you can but know when to hire out and to keep a good set of subs that you can trust. I've never forgotten that and so far it has served me well.

[@GCFD]

Great advice!

[@sarahbearah1993]

Love how you went back when it was raining to make sure the job was working properly! Wow what a wonderful company! I just subbed after 2 videos because you do incrediable work, and you seem to really care about the customer and doing it right!

[@shanewhite499]

Great job Shawn and crew. That concrete work turned out great. There's not many contractors like you left. Most just care about the bottom line and getting in and out as quickly as possible. I love watching your videos.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Shane!

[@Taylexwow]

A true professional knows what he can do and what he can't do.....and it takes a true professional to sub out things to make sure they are right.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@joepond9587]

Great Philosophy. Help others and they will help you. Nice Job.

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@michaelflanagan6592]

G'day Sean. Greetings from Perth in Western Australia. I discovered your channel a couple of weeks ago and find it very relaxing to watch. Also very interesting to see a really good artisan at work. I do like your comment, that the bottom line is not the bee all and end all. You are quite right when you say it is more important to develop relationships, which are generally 2 way. Now, having spent my life in the petro-chem industry and doing a lot of work for Shell, it is their standard that pipe from pump outlets should be one size larger than the pump; connection. So as I have seen you installing sump pump at 1 1/2inch diam, I would recommend that you go to 2 inch diameter. This just leads to better discharge rates. Good luck, as shall keep watching your adventures!! Regards Michael

[@kennith.]

Thank you for doing the follow up to show us how it all worked out in the rain. I look forward to that part of the video. Again another awesome job.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@firstnamesurname1743]

What a terrific job and look how much water that basin is shifting at the end!

[@GCFD]

Thank you! 👍

[@alex1_1_2]

Good job! Working with professionals for tasks that are not your main business is the best way to go if you care about your company.

[@GCFD]

I agree. The value of a better job was worth the cost.

[@lloydrmc]

Go Kubota! Even the half pieces look huge and heavy.

[@GCFD]

Plus it had that heavy grading bucket installed!

[@dylantrinder1571]

What a lovely job Shawn, you're correct about not putting profit before good working relationships. Harvey and his crew never seem to let you down.

[@GCFD]

👍 I have a couple more projects with them that are waiting for rain footage.

[@lindajoyce1808]

Spot on about decision on hiring out the concrete job quality work.

[@GCFD]

I know! I'm still so thrilled with how well it turned out.

[@cwagnello]

Besides the quality work it's great to see the follow ups. It's definitely one of the things I look forward to.

[@GCFD]

Thank you. It took three tries to hit this in the rain.

[@timgarner6768]

Great job. Can totally agree with you...building relationships with your subs is so important.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@watermouse9296]

You and your crew do great work. One of my favorite things is that you go back when it is raining to see how it is doing. Keep that up!!

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@azcamperjohn1079]

always enjoy your videos, and really appreciate the after shots of it being fixed and working well.

[@GCFD]

Thank you John!

[@mathusvaiaoga9787]

Great insight about hiring good help. Best thing to do is to Let the pros do What the pros do.

[@GCFD]

Thanks!

[@Killmode29]

You have to know your strength and weakness. You can’t always want the biggest piece of the pie. Relationships are everything!!! Good job 👍🏽 👏

[@GCFD]

Thank you! Hiring the right people turns their strengths into my strengths for getting the overall job done.

[@dankyjoker]

The Swale King strikes again, good work!

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@99ryanlee]

I would wager this basin job would have sent most smaller contractors running for the hills. You and Harvey’s crew have done an incredible job - looks amazing and does the job. Great advice for anyone in business - build bridges with others and all can prosper! Well done Shawn.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Ryan! I wish the lid looked better but I am very happy as is the customer!

[@jimmyssnowremoval1075]

After working as a contractor it’s great to see that yall sub contracted the concrete. The way I always say it’s you call me for what I do, I call the people that are good in their field. Also to it’s always seems the apartment complex are the ones trying to save money and the tenants hate it cause there the ones living there. Now there expeditions to this.

[@pneumatic00]

This was one of the bigger (in terms of effort) jobs I've seen you do. How nice was it to be able to lift & dump the busted concrete over the hole with your excavator! And you're right on about hiring the external concrete crew. That turned out looking very pro. Your guys would have taken quite a bit longer and the results might not have been so good. 100% agree with your take. Good decision.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@grahamfox4279]

Nice work - love grandpa direction construction - and I also want to see the outflow!

[@GCFD]

The outfall is down the bank a little ways in a sea of poison ivy. I will try to get some more rain footage into Part 3. That might be cool....wrap up the series and revisit everything in the rain.

[@RC-rg3vz]

i used to be in the automotive industry and you are right about having contacts, its best to pay more and build a relationship with companies because then you can tackle on more at the end together thus making way more money than the present moment and you build great memories with the crew

[@jaymurtagh]

Shaun and your team have such a good work ethic. Love your videos, great team work

[@GCFD]

Thank you Jay! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@gattie12ben]

Glad to see the drain working! Love the videos

[@GCFD]

Thank you Ben!

[@halko1]

I think the old lid is perfectly functional and let's face it, no one besides you and us on the channel are going to look at. :D It's fine. Very nice job, I think you did the right choice at using specialists instead of maximising your own profits. That was the right thing to do and in the end it will come back to you as you pointed out, nothing beats having good relations - it's called synergy, they'll end up giving you jobs one day.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Halko! I love that word synergy.

[@MikeZMonroe]

Nice job Sean. Good honest commentary. Power washing that concrete lid could have made it look new. Use it as it still functions as intended. You coated with thin set / mortar to spruce it up plus repair worn corners. Spot on regarding relationship - important at home, work, and everyday life.

[@GCFD]

Thanks for the tips Mike. I think power washing would have been a great thing to do.

[@tiderfish]

I like your work ethos. Also how you feed your guys and eat together. Keep it up!

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@bahopik]

Good for you that you care about others and not just yourself

[@kumavictor7464]

A really decent job，you guys are the best

[@GCFD]

👍

[@tracyrain4941]

I was super impressed with The Concrete Guys. You know they're good when it's made to look so easy. 😊

[@GCFD]

I agree. They make it look easy.

[@brentking-gmailking2570]

Beautiful work Shawn, that should do the job for the client for years to come. Thank you for sharing and have a great day.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Brent!

[@anjkrazy2]

Came here to get my drainage job video fix, and ended up with a great business advice too😁

[@GCFD]

👍

[@joshjoshi1978]

Really great business ethics. Your build a business with strong partners and good employees and it seems you have nurtured both.

[@GCFD]

👍Agreed

[@LAZYDAYZAHEAD]

Shawn, you and your crews work ethic is five star. I’d hire you in a heartbeat. Keep up the excellent work.

[@GCFD]

👍 Thank you!

[@zenmaster24]

i love your line about how you cant be focused on the bottom line and profit all the time - words to live by as relationships are part and parcel of being human.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@matthewfarrell317]

I do fully agree, sometimes working with others long term is far more beneficial than trying for maximum profit. While the concrete looks amazing..... where that water is flowing isn't the best, seems to be hitting that support, depending on how much rain you get, and how much, that will erode that spot over time.

[@GCFD]

We reinforced the standoffs with extra concrete so hopefully things will be all right.

[@michiganmafia]

Another very informative video. Thanks for filming the concrete forming, really cool. Keep up the great work, and thanks for the videos!

[@GCFD]

Thank you for watching! - Shawn

[@jackhume4532]

That’s another part of this project that has gone extremely well Shawn and I am looking forward to seeing part three now.

[@ScottHz]

All these comments are going to have me hiring out my home lawncare! ;)

[@GCFD]

Part 3 is in the works. I combined the remaining three items because they were all smaller. The first two were the coolest parts.

[@terribletom1145]

Harvey and his crew are amazing to watch! Absolute masters of their trade and it shows in the work they do!

[@saltygreek3870]

Cmon Shawn ! It couldn't have broken the bank to make up a ply wood form and pour a new lid ! Best analogy I could give is you go all out to buy a swanky suit and tie but because of your budget you decided to wear sneakers with the new suit and tie

[@GCFD]

I was fine with skimping on sneakers (for the customer) when I could guarantee results.

[@saltygreek3870]

@@GCFD sorry I can agree with you, you short changed the customer and more importantly yourself! Your work is a reflection of you, skimping on a lid ? Cmon

[@racerx009]

Nicely done....yeah, building a good rapport with other contractors will pay off in large dividends in the end.

[@GCFD]

I agree! 👍

[@shahsmerdis]

Thankfully I'm learning as much as there are people who do shoddy work there are just as much people who take pride in their work and care more about the job being done right than their bottom line. Thanks for being you 😁

[@GCFD]

Thank you! 👍

[@mrollivetti]

Impressive! Cooperation between specialists from different jobs increases the quality of the overall product. Cooperation has advantages for everyone - for the specialists involved AND for the customer.

[@GCFD]

I agree!

[@seasfas]

Another day, another video. Sun is shining and kids are still asleep. Ahhh this is great. Edit: It is funny to see Shawn, a stickler for doing high quality work, being annoyed by that damn lid :D

[@GCFD]

👍 Thank you for watching!

[@robertgeiger2268]

good job equates good reputation, which means good references.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@DrDarkYoutube]

Greetings from Denmark. Love your videos. Im currently fixing up an old house I bought with basement. Even tho Im done with the draining part, these videoes are very inspiring. I guess its the walk thru step by step, the quality solutions and materials, the finale where you inspect the job during rain - not to mention that you have a very pleasent character. The only downside I can think of is the "in between" music. As it is now in your videoes, its very dominating. Its loud and the style of it is misplaced in my humble opinion. I would recommend acoustic guitar or something similar at half the volume.

[@ScottHz]

Agreed - the techno music is WAAAAYYYY to loud!

[@GCFD]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm limited by what is available in the youtube audio library. I have the music set to 20% but maybe I'll drop it down. It's very time consuming to make sure I drop the volume every time a saw cuts or something loud happens.

[@silverclaw4]

18:52 okay everyone out of the way, Shaun has the sledgehammer. Nice hit!

[@GCFD]

👍 Bam!

[@espenforfen1334]

I would highly recommend replacing the lid with a raised steel grate, bolted or hinged. The gaps will block up again as soon as the debris builds up. they will ring you to ask you to do it when it blocks up. Really nice job non the less, and an ethical tradesman, Kudos to you.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! Do you think the grate will be easier to unblock?

[@espenforfen1334]

Same effort to unblock, but with a 'raised' steel grate, (must be raised) the surface area of outlet is increased by triple, and only activates when the sides get blocked, usually in a big rain event , just rake off the leaves if it gets covered. I always recommend it as cheap insurance.

[@handlebullshit]

@@espenforfen1334 Just send post10 some work

[@espenforfen1334]

@@handlebullshit HaHa I watch him too!!

[@Stratos53100]

@@handlebullshit LOL yeah Post10 would go for it.

[@robertsalido1232]

Absolutely 100% Right, you split the difference and gave another company to share in the work. That's how you grow your relationships with other's willing to help you out. And, with both of you, the overall job turned out awesome. Next time a similar job pops up, just show the client, the cooperation of your company and your friends in the concrete business. I think the lid should of been replaced with a simple rebar screen. IMO. What do I know? Great job by the way and Excellent management of the two groups.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Robert. I agree the lid could have been done differently after seeing how nice the the rest came out. 👍

[@acts_of_random_kindness5018]

That be no ordinary concrete..that be a Boulder haha good work getting that concrete out :)

[@GCFD]

It was a beast. 👍

[@zacharykmiecik1407]

Looks awesome. 😊

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I am pretty proud of this job!

[@CenterStarsChannel]

Yes building a relationship is good. Plus like you said that they had better experience on what was the best mix going vertical.

[@GCFD]

Let the pros do their thing.

[@kellygreen5070]

Pride in workmanship! 👍

[@TBR242]

Yall eat pizza everyday? Love the videos keep them coming.

[@GCFD]

Haha Pizza is the perfect on the job food. Everyone likes it, it's ubiquitous across the landscape, and it comes to us.

[@patrickd9551]

Plus, they work hard enough to burn away those calories instantly

[@crashland5711]

He must own a Marco's.

[@steverusie6986]

Great job with this! You are spot on with the building relationships with other companies!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Steve!

[@whip205inthebam3]

Shawn, great job to all you guys and gals on the crew. Great 👍 PS Shawn, that thumb you're using would make a great ripper it looks thicker than the one you made.

[@stultusvenator3233]

Love your attitude, a better job is preferable to just money and building relationships. You are the kind of contractor I would be looking for which will come by word of mouth. I often say, I don't mind paying premium or a bit extra if it is a good job or good service. Your money only friend is the one I would avoid of bargain down then watch like a Hawke.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@edpoints1127]

Great job Sean and the Gate City guys! Looks and functions well

[@GCFD]

Thanks Ed! This was a cool job and I love the results the concrete guys did!

[@peterg.8245]

When are you going to introduce your Hungry Howies delivery driver? He’s and essential part of your crew! 🤣

[@GCFD]

I need to! I also need to give him a shirt!

[@joser528]

The one down vote is probably the greedy contractor he was talking about

[@lloydrmc]

LOL

[@GCFD]

Haha could be!

[@zizela1]

post10 would love this drainage :D awesome jobb guys!

[@anthonyfindlay466]

Great job Shawn, a hammer on that machine would make life a whole lot easier keep up the good work as always shout out to the rest of the gang.

[@GCFD]

Yes for sure! I've been looking for a hammer. Esp since the machine is already plumbed for one. 👍

[@sethdeppen8439]

Your work is very professional and precise, as well as your work ethic. On this 2nd part of the job, I would have installed a new precast catch basin and a grate. I'm sure that would cost more, however, I do not know the client's budget and details. Just a comment i had. But keep up the great work!

[@sethdeppen8439]

I also wrote this before finishing the video... the work that the crew did with the concrete was phenomenal

[@ItsME-zb3rw]

So, essentially, you paid Harvey's crew for their expertise and experience. Excellent choice.

[@GCFD]

I agree. That was money well spent and I even gave them a little extra.

[@Matlockization]

On removing that block of concrete, I would have run the saw like you guys did but then put in several picks along that cut and started hammering down, along the line until this slab split in half. You made the right decision to bring in the concrete guys. And talking about putting work relationships before money was very interesting. I'm wondering whether you could have found a steel grill for the opening, but the current setup will last forever. Overall you did a super job.

[@KyleMorpheus]

Networking like this with the concrete crew is invaluable. These helpful relationships likely save you money in the long run despite paying them to do it. You wont get a call backs because you know that crew did it right the first time (not that your crew wouldn't have done a good job.)

[@GCFD]

I agree! I have been working with them a bunch lately. 👍

[@xavierhenriques1116]

Love it, Shawn! Concrete is an art Thank you, sir

[@GCFD]

Thanks Xavier!

[@Mrcaffinebean]

The local hospital by me has been fighting a drainage problem for like a year and the work is still on going. When I saw the project I instantly thought they need gate city!!

[@GCFD]

We completed all this work in less than 2 weeks. They were re-doing the parking lot so it was very important we were on schedule.

[@grandmasterpanda8006]

Wouild it have been better to get a jack hammer attachment for the Kuboto? Or is it because you dont get enough concrete demos to get one?

[@GCFD]

Man I have been looking for a hammer to fit that machine.... I need one!

[@joecraft4409]

I would have asked them to budget for a new lid then let you know when you van make another one. Great job

[@GCFD]

Hindsight is always 50/50!

[@MrGarbezzy]

To sum up what you said. Creating/building relationships is worth more than money

[@GCFD]

It certainly is! The best relationships are sustainable as well.

[@RHEC1776]

Awesome job. But you could of made a new lid yourself for $40 with some concrete from homedepot and 2 2x4's

[@GCFD]

Hindsight is 50/50!

[@htownblue11]

Great job.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@TheNotoriousNemo]

Good video, keep them coming

[@GCFD]

👍

[@Blood1UTUBE]

Great work, great video. Really appreciate how you go back to show it in action. LIke others said you should really put grates around those lids. Any small animal or a ball can easily fall into this. I'm thinking if you lined the edge of rebar stick sticking up so the lid can lay on top of those instead of those 4 bricks would be safer.

[@GCFD]

The problem with grates around the lids is they collect debris and clog. Then you're right back to the start with the water overflowing and eroding around the basin.

[@andrewjambo1]

Great job, great video

[@GCFD]

👍 Thank you!

[@hollandduck79]

nice work . thanks for the video

[@GCFD]

Thank you as usual! - Shawn

[@Smith.S.E.]

"Be the drains you want to see in the world" - Some guy

[@GCFD]

Hahah! I am so pleased with how this turned out. The concrete guys did a fantastic job.

[@Smith.S.E.]

It looks amazing and touching up the lid made a huge difference

[@farmerbob728]

Once again..Fantastic video...

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@jeffreyshier9021]

I love your life philosophy.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Jeffrey!

[@mathusvaiaoga9787]

There’s something about old school concrete that makes it so much harder to take out. Must be in the water. Lol

[@GCFD]

I agree!

[@Mrcaffinebean]

You need one of the Jack hammer attachments for your excavator.

[@GCFD]

I have been searching for one for almost a year!

[@melhiore]

While I agree that this cover looks bit small now and TBH ugly on top of that pristine concrete job I get why it was done the way it is. What I really love about your videos is the fact that you always come back to your jobs and demonstrate the improvement - usually massive one...

[@GCFD]

I agree that the after-footage is key. It's a pain though. I revisited this job three times before I hit some rain.

[@Lorenejonesbaby99]

In regards to hiring out for the concrete...it may actually save you some money, and time, in the long run also for the fact that you don't have to go back and repair something that you may not have done as well as them. One and done!

[@GCFD]

I totally agree. Let the professionals do what they do best!

[@thomasmorrison3279]

So cool. You are highly skilled at operating that scoop/back hoe. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@Chris_In_Texas]

Would it have been better to cut the curbs back a little as well? Seems like a bottleneck there as water is hitting each other, and its not raining that hard yet. Larger opening might have helped a bit more. But great job! 👍👍😁⛈🌧

[@GCFD]

We thought about it but thought the water will still flow into the basin and the culvert.

[@SlackerU]

Might have just switched to a grate instead of the lid, though maybe they've got thieves. My insurance requires no gaps larger than 4-inches anywhere that a child might fall 2-feet or more.

[@atomicwedgie8176]

Still has three more sides the water can flow in. Would take a hurricane to overwhelm it.

[@ScottHz]

@@atomicwedgie8176 We get hurricanes in the Piedmont more often than we’d like!

[@GCFD]

👍 We thought about that. Can always add something like that later if needed.

[@boss1995]

Living in the middle of now where in Texas, and being of Mexican decent, I can tell you to ALWAYS go with a Mexican crew. They do quality work and will always back it. They know their trade and if they have to come back to fix it they will. 100%

[@chuckley54494]

Around here [wi] a few of the better roofing crews are Mexican. They work their ass off and know what they are doing. They also have pride in their work

[@GCFD]

They have great attitudes as well!

[@JSLEnterprises]

They should have added some rebar into the vertical pieces, especially diagonally through the corners to reinforce them. That mono-pour will crack and subside after a few freeze-thaw cycles starting the original problem back up.

[@GCFD]

We did bend some rebar. You can't really see it in the pour though. You can see some unbent rebar in a few of the clips. 👍

[@Dirtyboxer1]

He's down in North Carolina I think. They may not have to worry too much about freezing and thawing.

[@joepond9587]

Leveraging others expertise helps everyone get a better result.

[@GCFD]

I agree Joe. And everyone gets paid!