Finish Grading a new Addition

Part 1 • Comprehensive Drainage...
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[@daveanderson2865]

I like how you return to see how things are going and working. Can't ask anymore from a well respected contractor. The property looks amazing. Let the homeowner know to exchange both downspouts in the front to white. It will blend in and be more pleasing to the eye.

[@GCFD]

Great idea! I think the spouts are growing on the homeowners. They can easily see that added downspout is carrying a ton of water so it's doing a great job.

[@Claudia_Koster]

​@maruiacancer6you really spam everywhere. It sucks

[@Hoopsjvl]

Oh my! Now I have to ask if he ever showed up with a rash from poison ivy? Made me cringe!! Lol.

[@GCFD]

Nope! Poison ivy doesn't bother him

[@mangos2888]

I shuttered! 😂

[@maxmanx1294]

Re: extra front downspout I'd absolutely keep it. They could have that one painted white to help it blend in. Perhaps it could be located on the other side of the front door to break it up a little. However, unless they're really dirty or damaged, downspouts blend in to the background.

[@Bynming]

Makes no sense to me that the homeowners hate that extra downspout. It looks pretty good and seems functional.

[@GCFD]

I think it grew on them, especially when you see the water flowing through it!

[@Smythers00]

If anything, they could have used another down spout on the other side of the staircase.

[@firesurfer]

Those porch columns are specially designed to look good. You don't put those kinds in if you don't care about looks.

[@cnacne]

They're the wrong color. The downspouts should be white. I think, from the way they look, should also be larger.

[@TomIslav-o7l]

​@Smythers00 agree man, well said

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

I remembered when you did the backyard that looks good back there and the front unreal. It looks 110% better. He did quite the job on it. I can see why the owners are quite happy with the job. I would be too if you do really good work and you got good people and painting the pipe looks good. Blends in great job. Looking forward to the next one.👍👍🙂🇨🇦

[@GCFD]

Thank you! This was a great job for sure

[@calvingreene90]

You could try painting the problem downspout to blend in with the house rather than stand out against it. I think that would be a good idea for all of them.

[@GreySharr]

Yes, they should paint it the same color of the house, it would be almost invisible yet still as effective

[@StuartWoodwardJP]

I came here to say exactly this.

[@GCFD]

Great idea! I think it's growing on them, but I forgot to ask today.

[@tmmtmm]

I think it's pretty ugly because those pillars look nice. If it were me I'd upgrade the size of the gutter and downspouts at each end as much as possible to avoid needing it.

[@Losttoanyreason]

If the downspout was white it wouldn't be so noticable but seriously what is more important drainage or looks? Yall done good as usual. The dirt work looks great.

[@RHEC1776]

Looks. I would of ripped it out aswell.

[@patricklacasse2877]

They can put a white downspout it will blend in

[@mark111943]

I am in Perth area of Western Australia where we have predominantly very sandy soils. For most councils you must retain all storm water on your property requiring the installation of large soak wells. Some councils do have dedicated storm water connections though.

[@GCFD]

Very interesting Mark. Here we get at least 48" of water each year and most of it runs off via surface waters to the Atlantic Ocean.

[@thomasmorrison3279]

Beautiful job. I was thinking that you could replace the trim around the crawlspace door with PVC trim and come up higher around this door with dirt for grading.

[@ZylonFPV]

8:15 - why would someone put a pipe in with a back grade?! It’s so dumb 😂

[@sku32956]

Those foundation pipes are hardly ever done right ,front flowers look like hydrangeas .

[@GCFD]

Yes I think they are hydrangeas. I couldn't think of the name

[@russellyurkovich1296]

I can see what the home owners are going for but the downspouts should probably be white. Ruins the look of the pillars. I just think the down spouts should be evenly distributed for better presentation. My two cents.

[@juandefs]

Dude painting the pvc pipes is such a night and day look. Shame on me that i just complained last time without offering a solution, but gj to the other person that recommended to paint them. They look fantastic.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I think they look way different too. I stocked up on some green, brown, and black paint to throw on the truck.

[@slayer66thfc]

​​@@GCFDRust-Oleum make some camouflage spray paint that blends into nature quite nicely. Not sure if you've seen it Shawn?

[@weeb3277]

23:07 maybe you should've dropped the load right onto the concrete and then use you buggy from the other side to swoop it off the concrete and spread it next to the house? what do you think?

[@martinworrall5888]

Good job Shaun, have you got the job for the drive way?

[@GCFD]

I think so but they are waiting a little while before doing it. I'll definitely film it if we do it.

[@maxmacdonald7174]

It would be simple enough to build that crawl space up two blocks. Cut that door and trim and reuse it.

[@GCFD]

I’ve been advocating to do that.

[@crangel381]

It’s a shame you guy’s did a nice job and the home owner didn’t take care of his part with the top part by putting mulch now all that dirt is going to be washed away and I’ll bet he’s gonna blame you for it 💯👍

[@GCFD]

No everything worked out well. The homeowners get to take all the credit for their landscaping work. They did such a beautiful job!

[@Motorizeify]

Awesome job for a beautiful home.

[@allanb9360]

BIG like on this one. The results are impressive 👍👍

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@firesurfer]

''Access openings [to a crawl space] through the floor shall be a minimum of 18 inches by 24 inches. [Crawl space] Openings through a perimeter wall shall be not less than 16 inches by 24 inches. About the downspout, when I made a large shed, I considered making the gutters integrated into the roof. I never did it because of the complexity. Hurricane Sandy was coming and I needed to get the shed dried in. I had no time for that.

[@GCFD]

Exactly! Building to code (ie the bare minimum) is a great example of how thoughtless people can be. Built it correctly not down to code.

[@leolldankology]

46:44 the owners should put in a butterfly/ hummingbird garden.

[@GCFD]

That would be awesome! We have both in abundance here

[@GiftedDotado]

When u live in a very wet or rainy area beauty is not the main concern… had he not advised on the extra downspot they will still have some issues.. his concern is to remove water problems not beautify your home lol. The black color is also the owners choice. They could have did white and still can paint it! This yard looks great and the landscaping looks amazing job well done owners! Its the internet and i know people like to post hateful shit lol so i wanna balance it out with something positive! Great job Again man! Im looking for a house with great fall because of you!

[@GCFD]

Thank you! Definitely keep drainage in mind when looking for a house. Better yet, buy one with drainage issues that you can fix!

[@GiftedDotado]

@@GCFD lol right no fun if no personal work involved

[@redfishfun540]

I see you brought the right worker with you. The hammer 😂😂

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@torchup]

Wondering why you didn't send that awkward green painted pipe draining all that gutter/downspout water on the driveway when another 20ft with a long sweep could have taken it all further and under new concrete sidewalk and stone blocks and on to the street. Maybe before they do new driveway they can plan dropping that line alongside and under stone blocks instead of trash water staining a new concrete driveway pour.😇

[@GCFD]

Yes we will incorporate the pipe into the new driveway at the street. We didn't take it to the street because there is no curb.

[@MikeOmeg]

Another awesome project. I learn from and enjoy your videos. Thanks for taking the time to make them!

[@rickwhitescarver8526]

I was surprised to hear you say you recommend bark nuggets. Pretty sure you have said they were terrible to have near your foundation in many other videos.

[@GCFD]

You need to have the grade correct under them. I use nuggets exclusively over mulch because they decompose slowly and don’t hold water. I often see people dumping nuggets or pine needles on problem areas and covering those up.

[@southpike1000]

I don't know about you causing that oak tree to die. That tree was probably on its way out anyway.

[@GCFD]

I think so too. It might have had too much water being where it was..

[@calvingreene90]

The painted looks much better than the white pipe jumping out at you.

[@GCFD]

I think so too!

[@markobrien3278]

My sewage line runs downhill underground through the woods behind my house to tie in at the next street, but has several white PVC vertical clean outs that are visible from my deck and patio. One of the first things I did after moving in 11 years ago was spray paint them dark brown to blend in with the natural area. I think it’s a great addition to your already excellent work.

[@adamluke1289]

Once they do the driveway that home will be picture postcard perfect.

[@GCFD]

I agree! They are waiting on the driveway for now, but it''ll be awesome.

[@watermouse9296]

Pine Bark Nuggets looks SO MUCH better than pine needles. I would hate pine needles.

[@AlexeiTetenov]

You going back and doing a revisit puts your videos at another level. Good work!

[@marcstull4203]

Good grief, get those pipes IN the ground 🙄 PVC isn't better if it's at or above grade! You're so smart and skilled, why do you do this. In Cleveland they building inspector would never allow this.

[@00sean00]

Stupid question - Why do you never use PVC downspout connectors? They look so much better than just jamming the downspout into a 4" circular pipe.

[@amandapeine6745]

Could you have removed that gravel against the foundation? It would've given you space to fix that pipe.

[@SeanBaker]

Based on your videos, I see you run a very lean operation. You don't have more guys than you need. I like the two guys you work with; they seem like they the job done especially Ronald.

[@lisettalisetta9841]

These videos are great. The only downside is I'm 50 states away from Gate city! I have a question about what soil type for grading near my foundation. I think I heard mention of clay soil but where would one find this?

[@paulbeeker9515]

Shouldn't the cement contracter. The guy that scrared the front yard replace the top soil. You've a lot of dirt missing 🤨🤨🤨

[@Hjominbonrun]

After seeing all the mayhem caused by water, I dont mind an extra 3 or 4 downspouts. Rather that than cracked walls and dodgy foundation.

[@slayer66thfc]

That poison ivy gave me the creeps! I'm highly allergic to poison oak! Love your response!

[@rdaws73]

35:23, 39:19 That poor tree on the right has the dreaded "Mulch Volcano." The bottom of the tree needs to have the base exposed to where the roots start to flare out from the trunk.

[@maxmanx1294]

Why do people do that? It seems like I'm the only one in Charlotte who doesn't create mulch volcanoes. It never occurred to me. Its very harmful to the vegetation.

[@mangos2888]

​@@maxmanx1294I'm in Minnesota and recently saw a bunch of Ash trees removed (EAB) from my local orange Big Box store and they planted new decorative trees everywhere they could.....each of the 12+ tress includes a mulch volcano 😢. It made me sad for the store 😂

[@Mark.Watson]

@@mangos2888 A large shopping center did that near me. I emailed the property manager and attached documentation on why it's bad for the trees. I got a favorable response and they stopped doing it.

[@jnash5137]

Would using the pine bark nuggets vs pine straw encourage termites?

[@tucobenedicto109]

Real nice Shawn. Keep Tec nu on the truck for poison ivy, or extra regular coke it will also stop the itch. Watch the millenial farmeer he just did drainage work on a new shed, after it was torn down in a tornado! Learning alot.

[@calvingreene90]

Window well device would allow you to raise the average grade on the side of the house with the problem crawl space door.

[@GCFD]

I know. We need to do something over there..

[@markobrien3278]

…or rip out the door, put another 2-4 courses of bricks at the bottom and put in a shorter door. I know it’s rework, but there didn’t seem to be too much involved - it doesn’t have to be hermetically sealed or insulated. Might even be able to trim the existing door to fit the smaller frame/casing.

[@billlyttle8224]

i Agree with the owner. The downspouts look horrible. i would paint the downspouts to blend in with the columns.

[@MrDbone75]

A very good Tuesday afternoon to you all in the USA from Wellington Somerset in the UK

[@illiamondok4496]

I see an issue with the direct connection of foundation drainage. Imagine that something stuck at the end of all pipes? All the water will run to the next lowest place, which is our foundation drainage. You need to move it parallel or make some indirect entry.

[@stevehall5008]

Looks very nice. Was wondering if your employee got poison ivy that day?

[@awilkins3453]

49:40 Looking at the finished job, the downspout doesn't look so bad at all - if anything it's that extra bit of pitched roof above the window on the left, that means the black guttering has to wrap around the house that looks awful

[@wendyandjodymaillet7503]

Great job sir! Take care and I’ll see you down the road…

[@GCFD]

Thank you Wendy!

[@wendyandjodymaillet7503]

@@GCFD this is Jody…

[@davezxtt]

Why do you never put actual drains in below the downspouts so you dont need to have any pipework above ground looking untidy? Would just need to extend the downspouts a few inch to ground then.

[@dhabbott41]

Where do you get your straw? I buy from Home Depot or Lowe's and it does not decompose like the straw you use..

[@Leedogg81]

Did Ronald get a poison ivy rash? I'm terrified of the stuff.

[@jeffreyshier9021]

Painting the pipes is a good addition.👏👏👏

[@watchthe1369]

That is a house on a piece of land to do it justice too. Maybe treat the concrete with a saw at the crack joints and treat the individual slabs like stepping stones? Stack them to one side and when you get done cut the ends so there is a 1 or 2 inch gap to stick some grass in. then you got a different look to the front that looks like set paver stone, but also allows water to run off the surface too while getting the stuff out of the way.

[@stephenstyles1382]

Realy nice job as always.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Stephen!

[@prestonduke7859]

Should of just put a down spout on each column. That way it would all be matching.

[@Tomcatt817]

I agree that downspout is ugly, but moves too much water to get rid of it. What gets me is that a white downspout would have looked a lot better than the black.

[@twentyonetoone9783]

Is hay just a cheaper alternative to Sod grass? Do you put grass seed down as well?

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Great job Shawn, its really good when you go back to check on your work and to see it working 👍👍

[@Tomcatt817]

That is one of the main reasons I subscribed.

[@paulbeeker9515]

I've noticed ✌️ you hire experienced Men and Women .👍

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

In that corner with the gas meter, I'd put in a basement window well shield around it and build up the grade to the level it needs to be...

[@Not-a-Cockroach]

Thank you for the amazing video

[@nonsequitur807]

Job well done, guys. Ronald is the man. Always glad to see him on the job 👍

[@eddygoodwin7089]

I have to agree with the home owner why put a down spout so close to another down spout, it would be more balanced and just as functional to put it on the column to the left of the steps.

[@Ricard0_]

What about the green pipe during winter?? 😂

[@GCFD]

Monkey grass stays green.

[@Ricard0_]

@@GCFD thanks good to know!

[@alacran1986]

I vote no spray…let the white PVC ride…

[@MichaelHolloway]

fernco ????

[@GCFD]

Flexible coupler

[@redzed40]

Great job

[@GCFD]

Thank you Red!

[@andrewbeach1685]

Be interested to hear about battery sump pumps

[@robertrdell8898]

Is it actually called Harley rake or ruckus rake?

[@juliehoffman92]

Fantastic

[@GCFD]

Thank you Julie!

[@bahopik]

40:16 you're not much of a counter weight

[@skitzochik]

yea that is remarkable Shawn, now the house looks finished. well done !

[@GCFD]

Thank you amber!

[@bigbasspro2656]

First, great video

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@samvoyles2096]

Shawn, great job around a beautiful home.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@imhooks]

Going to have to get Harvey in there for a new driveway lol

[@oldnstillworkin5709]

You need to eat more carbs so you can be a better counter weight 😂

[@GCFD]

For sure!

[@joeshmoe7789]

He needs to lower the bucket when he's driving. I was wondering if he likes bouncing.

[@MrGchernetz]

You could have replaced the dead Maple. They definitely would have you come back to do the driveway which will affect your drainage.

[@GCFD]

I asked but he wanted to take it out himself.

[@EverydayKindaGuy]

16:30 did he show up with a big rash? 😆

[@ludditetechnologies]

Fine job as always Shawn.

[@RHEC1776]

You and ronald are the Dream Team. Another amazing job 🤘🤘👍👍💪💪💪

[@GCFD]

Thank you! Don't forget Daniel for bringing us the dirt. That would have been over 7 loads in my single axle dump...

[@silverwoodchuck47]

"Don't do that! God!"

[@elmerhenry1023]

It looks really good

[@Stratos53100]

Slick as usual, grading made another transformation, + on the painted pipe Esp the green one looks just like the m grass

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I like the painted pipes too. I bought a bunch of paint and will start doing them

[@JoeDriscoll-ux6ig]

You and Ronald did a fantastic job with the work, too bad the contractor wasn't so concerned about proper drainage working with you.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@camerongraham3640]

Great video

[@JohnDoe-ft3qs]

Shawn another amazing job. Your team is so great Jeremy and Ronald are such hard workers, the trust and chemistry you have with them is fun to watch.

[@lexluther8370]

Excellent rake/tamper work Ronald. I always have problems with getting my slope/flatness.

[@maxmanx1294]

Re: painting pvc I've always primed & painted pvc that is used where its exposed to sunlight. Charlotte Pipe, for example, recommends using primer & paint for plastic on all above-ground pvc drainage. The sun's UV rays break down pvc & other plastics. When you're to trying to blend pvc with grass, what brand & color are you using? I'm struggling trying to find the right green.

[@TomIslav-o7l]

Lovin ma weekly GCFD hit ❤

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I have a ton of videos to catch up on but they take sooo long!

[@TomIslav-o7l]

​@@GCFDGet em out mate, am hungry for em!

[@GCFD]

@@TomIslav-o7l I’m trying M8!

[@jascharl]

Well, looks like Jeremy picked the day to call in. 😂 Anyway, another bang up job by GCFD, Sean and crew.

[@theburiedlife]

Another good job that's very educational for us viewers. Thanks!

[@steverusie6986]

Wow that looks amazing! Great job and it is great that you have the relationships with concrete companies and your guy that brought the dirt. All Good 👍!

[@malcolmschenot6352]

What's a fernco?

[@GCFD]

Flexible coupling - for joining two dissimilar pipes or when you need a slip connection because the pipes can't move.

[@maxmanx1294]

The big box stores have them. They come in different sizes, have stainless steel clamps, can be used underground, and are highly rated.

[@malcolmschenot6352]

Thanks for replying and I hope you get to do the driveway with your new concrete crew. I'm sure you'll figure out a way to drain that access door onto the driveway.

[@mathisthewaycorner]

I wondered why you didn't spray paint the PVC pipe all the way to the lip, but then you covered it up with the dirt. I think that I would would have put tape on the lip and then spray paint it so I would have clean edge even though I would bury it.

[@embee3050]

The Homeowners have done a fantastic jog of transforming the whole property and your work is a massive cherry on an awesome cake!🤩❤🤩❤🤩❤🤩❤🤩❤

[@garymoore8380]

Awesome job, looks spectacular. Great drone footage.

[@macguy9]

I couldn’t believe the sheer volume of water your system was diverting! A good drainage and grading system really makes all the difference!

[@floatybisquit]

Living the spray painted outfall