How to Extend Concrete Slab (Lessons Learned)

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

This is what a 7,000 pound hand-mixed concrete disaster looks like... Thanks for watching!

[@ekurdesov]

This isn’t disaster at all. I was pouring 1300sf patio along the house last Saturday. Thought to save time and ordered ready mix concrete. 2 trucks of it.. 13 yards 😀 there were 2 of us I have a bull float but it dried before we could screed it well 😂 I’ll be top coating it in few weeks once it fully cures and then stamping it 🤓

[@alicia4857]

Thank you for posting 📫 all of this ❤️. Your mistakes will help a lot of us. 😢 I, for one, greatly appreciate it. Also, for your 1st try and not knowing much, it didn't come out as bad as you stated. Again, thank you!

[@xAeschylusx]

Honestly a video about what not to do is probably more valuable than another how-to video. There’s no shame in making mistakes

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Totally agree! Thanks for watching!

[@UriValdez]

I love when people highlight their mistakes rather than hide them. Its a great way to learn, thanks for posting

[@evangelstrategies]

What I'm most impressed by your video and you is your humble spirit as evidenced by your willingness to share your mistakes and lessons learned with your audience. Impressive! You've inspired me to do it also. Thank you for sharing your experience. I know a lot of folks who could learn a thing or two from your humility.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I appreciate it Perez! When you jack up a project as bad as I did here, you have to be humble lol But I learned a ton and felt as though others could learn from some of my mistakes. Thanks for watching and for the kind words!

[@davidtoralez2213]

If more people could be like you this world would be a better place my brother thank you for the helpful video.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I appreciate it, David! Thanks for watching!

[@ryanplaysthedrums5731]

This is great, thanks for sharing! I found it really helpful to see your suggestions during the video on what you should’ve done (like drilling deeper rebar holes etc). It takes a much bigger man to share something they’re not happy with and be open themselves criticism than sharing something that’s perfect. Thanks again!!

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Glad it was helpful and thanks for the support!

[@allanorellana1915]

Do not worry! It is perfect in the future you can install black or gray porcelain for patio’s floor!! 👍 … you and your brother did a great job 👏🏼!! !! Y’all are the men that this blessing country needs!!! God continue giving y’all wisdom!!

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Appreciate it, Allan! Thanks for the support and for watching!

[@octaviohernandez7816]

Good effort buddy , I’ve been doing concrete for a long time and safe to say it’s one of the hardest trades to master , keep trying you’ll get it 👍

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Appreciate it, man! It was very humbling and frustrating for sure! thanks for watching!

[@kahoonei1752]

I appreciate your courage in sharing your video. I am considering fixing an ugly concrete slab and want to do it when my husband is away so I can surprise him. I really want to attempt to try it on my own and get creative with the stamping plus save money but still not so sure if I'm deluding myself in believing I can tackle the job alone. Watching a ton of diy videos with the hopes of getting some good advice. So great that you were so humble about your mistakes. You did a fine job by the way, would've preferred your work over the person who put in the ugly one we have in our yard.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I appreciate it! And yea, it was definitely a brutal project if I'm being honest. Tough on the back and knees. But it was a good learning process. I hope your project turned out great. Thanks for watching!

[@walterw5428]

Great effort. Thanks for sharing. You might have wanted to use a Big Diamond Concrete Tamper to push the rocks in the concrete down a bit. That way you have more of the actual cement to more easily smooth out, and it may not have been so dry. Good luck on your next project. Also, I couldn't tell f you watered down the dirt before you poured the concrete. If the soil is dry, it sucks all of the water from the concrete, which makes it harder to work.

[@rcpainter3023]

You get a like for openly sharing your mistakes. It helps to see what NOT to do.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I appreciate it! Thanks for watching!

[@margaretwissler4874]

I like your honesty and how you share your wins and your learning lessons.

[@cujero]

I definitely learned a lot. Sometimes these kinds of videos have better information than the ones where they do it perfect. Thanks for the video.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@megachicago]

Andrew! Once again, your timing is spot on. I installed slate tiles on a front courtyard, and it is WAY more a disaster than what you did. Over the years the tiles have split like a buttery croissant and now half of it is in shards. Thanks to a painter who rolled over them with a cherry picker to paint the house. UGH! I was thinking of pouring leveler over it but I may have to rethink to fix. Thank you, again.

[@CocoChanelle-1]

The main thing is you were brave enough to take on the project and saved money. I’m sure you learn a lot. Congratulations!

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Exactly - learned a TON. Appreciate it!

[@mattwalker534]

super helpful thank you. I learn more from some mistakes than the pro contractors showing their perfect jobs!

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@dsedano1]

This great! I plan to do a job in the near future, and I am also an amateur so this will really help me.

[@HCSBusiness]

I'm extending and leveling my shed base by a metre either side and by 2" to 3" deep, a very similar project to this video... tks for putting the video up.

[@danhuyck527]

im doing the same. just now digging new area. any tips you learned doing yours?

[@jno_knows]

We have been doing concrete in small sections. Maybe you should have poured it in fours and had it a tad more soupy! Thanks for sharing. It’s much more affordable and rewarding to do these projects as a homeowner! But it is absolutely hard work!

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

That’s a good point Jennifer, appreciate you sharing! My hope is that can get a bunch of suggestions in the comments so people can learn and benefit from my many mistakes! Thanks for watching and the continued support!

[@Ked566]

Very humble. Hey man, I’ve seen worse on first timers. Stay with it.

[@TrunkMonkey0389]

That's a bitch of a project and you did pretty well, that's a hell of an improvement from what you started with. If patios aren't your profession, I think you can still be pretty proud of that result.

[@garynakamura6138]

I was wondering if the new concrete to existing slab joint cracked after a while or if the rebar worked. Thanks for sharing your project and lessons learned!

[@yuliyabryant4052]

If it was a disaster, then I take it anytime and pay for it so same disaster would be on my yard. I think it looks great. I am huge fan of what you do. You inspired me to go to take woodworking classes. Thank you for sharing your ideas. Keep doing what you do. I and my husband like your videos very much. God’s speed to you.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I appreciate the continued support, Yulia! And I am really glad to hear that you are finding value! Hope the woodworking classes are going great!! Take Care! - Andrew

[@yuliyabryant4052]

@@AndrewThronImprovements thank you

[@maggieisrael5340]

Bravo! It still looks better than it was

[@Elysianplains]

I admire you’re ‘can do’ spirit sir

[@mrmidwestguy1496]

The biggest lessons I’ve learned when doing diy is never skimp out on tools. Spend that extra 48 bucks for a concrete mixer. Your back, arms and mind will thank you for the rest of the month.

[@publiccommentor5201]

Thank you for posting.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Thanks for watching!

[@Puckerupbuttercup261]

Learned from your mistakes, which was your purpose for posting. Thanks.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Glad to help - Thanks for watching!

[@mia-dx9ym]

Good video. Still valued information.

[@dylanwelch6681]

Gotta learn somehow🤷🏼‍♂️

[@christopherwill7580]

Thanks for the video. Regarding using the rebar to join the existing slab to the new concrete: Would an expansion joint be better? Is the rebar joining two concrete slabs better if the two slabs are both new concrete, not one old and one new?

[@scarnage175]

Great video. I am in the middle of my own 1st time full home renovation and I have been learning just like on the fly. I am planning on extending my shed slab by 4’ and this will be very helpful when I eventually tackle they later this summer or next spring. Thanks for the detailed video AND all the does and more importantly the don’ts. Those are equality as helpful!!

[@philromagnoli9409]

Great Video - a magnesium float will help get some of the concrete 'cream' to the top to allow for a easier and better finish

[@rekostarr7149]

Who knew a boat float would be that essential! thanks! PS. the guy underneath says that the concrete should have been wetter too.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I wish I would have known lol Thanks for watching!

[@jacquelinegros403]

Thank you so much for this post. You have done sooo much good for us DIY-ERS!

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I appreciate the support! Thank you for watching!

[@cindycleland7026]

You're very brave putting yourself out there! I would really like to see how it's held up.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

So far so good!

[@davestarns]

I have an ugly faux-inlaid stone tile front stoop that I want to both cover and enlarge with stamped, stained concrete. I found your video really encouraging. Knowing what you know now, would you do such a project again? Like you (prior to this), i’ve never worked with concrete…

[@SuperDryDiver]

I appreciate you sharing this. I want to extend my drive pad to install a shed. However in order to make it level I would need to come over the pad with about 2" of new concrete. The use of Weldcrete, and drilling in some rebar looks like a good way to handle it. So I'm curious how it held up for you since you posted this video.

[@stevemcginnis2864]

Also interested to know how it has held up

[@loganconnally4361]

Evaporation control is extremely helpful

[@cheshstyles]

He should have got ready mix and/or hired some goon with experience. Like he said, even a bull float would have been huge. Bag mix bleeds so much you should need a fan not con film etc.

[@joesaldivar6680]

Why is evaporation control needed?

[@stultuses]

Thank you for sharing People can still learn through others mistakes, so it's not a total loss and you were humble enough to share - so I'll say Thanks again! Would you be able to fix the surface using a concrete grinder (smoother) perhaps?

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Appreciate it! And the surface coat of concrete I applied really did the trick. Thanks for watching!

[@peg372]

Wire mesh needed chairs bro! Otherwise awesome video, we live and we learn!

[@lfroio1]

Looks good

[@ronnydehaan4914]

good job

[@homehero3334]

I feel your pain, man. Concrete is tough. Thanks for posting

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Agreed - This may have been my least favorite project so far. Lots of lessons learned. Thanks for watching!

[@TheCreativeVictor]

*Note to self - get a larger screed for my concrete project coming up. 😆👍

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

If only I knew then...haha thanks for watching and good luck with your project!

[@Guffb]

For the sake of your future selfs back too

[@CocoChanelle-1]

Similar to what we did to extend driveway but started with the steel mesh to undergird after digging up the dirt. Didn’t pour in gravel but had professional psi cement poured in. Yours is an interesting twist to the extension. Did use a liquid bond.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Not sure I did it the "right" way by any means, but just wanted to document the process. Thanks for watching!!

[@CocoChanelle-1]

@@AndrewThronImprovements oh there are different ways to do it. What you don’t want is the gravel sinking into the dirt(heavy duty lawn paper under gravel). I had that problem on another project. I think the steel mesh wire helps with that. Kind we used: www.lowes.com/pd/Steel-Remesh-Common-3-5-ft-x-7-ft-Actual-3-4166-ft-x-6-93-ft/1001121408

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

@@CocoChanelle-1 Agreed! That's the same stuff we used (just from Home Depot). Appreciate your feedback!

[@CocoChanelle-1]

@@AndrewThronImprovements 😎 cool

[@westcoastkhmer]

you live and you learn

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Yessir - better to try and fail then to never try. Appreciate you watching!

[@CocoChanelle-1]

I got a bull float from the pawnshop. Sold it back after use.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

That's what I should have done lol I'll keep that in mind for "specialty" tools for my next project.

[@CocoChanelle-1]

@@AndrewThronImprovements exactly. Save a buck. Also may be able to borrow one.

[@ifixeditmyself1926]

Thanks for sharing project it came out very nice and it was really informative.

[@kittymomma5620]

Thank you for all the tips-it was helpful !

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@TastesOfMalaysia]

Great job friend you are very hard working full watched and liked have great week and stay blessed

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I appreciate the support! Thanks and you too!

[@TastesOfMalaysia]

@@AndrewThronImprovementsyou are most welcome friend tc ❤️🙏

[@aiseaaholelei7655]

Love the effort and very insightful video. Keep it up

[@lewisdow]

The rebar joins work well? I have to do a similar extension and had the same idea for rebar pegs to join the two slabs.

[@UshankaFire]

great video, thanks for being honest, definitely learning, I'm debating if I should attempt to do a slab myself or hire a pro. would you do it again yourself?

[@joesaldivar6680]

Im thinking the same thing, im kind of leaning towards doing it myself though, i think it’ll be challenging but fun

[@SecurityOfficerKellyAnne]

You could have used a stencil or stamp to finish - a texture or pattern.

[@alexstrings]

Thank you sir!

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Thanks for watching! Appreciate the support!

[@RockCityIncTracks313]

Looks like you needed more water brother. the mix was too dry.. Good job still tho. there are some ways youy can still level that and remove some texture and make it look better.

[@rekostarr7149]

ahh good to know.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I would agree with that - Mix dried up pretty keep with a pretty short working time.

[@wildside69]

Nice one man, good way to learn is to make mistakes 😂

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Haha absolutely. Thanks for watching!

[@wildside69]

Thanks for filming! Was quite helpful 👌

[@maxpolaris99]

Seems like nobody doing concrete videos ever mentions their climate and soil conditions. Pouring concrete slabs,patios etc in Florida vs Arizona vs Alaska vs New Hampshire have different requirements. It seems like no one ever mentions their frost line in the winter. I'm always saying to myself it will look like an earthquake hit it next spring and I'll cry.

[@rekostarr7149]

concrete slabs float on top of the ground, they never go below frost line.

[@robertmiller5935]

Shit I’d be happy with that finish lol

[@flaccoohno5206]

All you had to do was brush it lol im building a walk way through my back yard and my first slab which is also the first one I ever poured looks like that my second I broomed up and down the finish came out better on the third I broomed it in a plus ➕ pattern and it looks like a slab from the side walk in front of my house

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Believe it or not, I actually did broom brush over it. But I probably didn't do it right 🤣 thanks for watching!

[@997turboabs2]

What does it matter if the concrete looks rough if you're only going to lay slabs ontop of it? 🤷‍♂️

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

If you're talking about the existing slab before I poured the new slab, then I agree - it doesn't really matter. I just think it is best practice to rip out the previous slab (if it is in bad shape) and start from scratch when pouring a new slab. Thanks for watching!

[@juancarlosfloresoviedo6932]

Yuo aré very profesional

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Appreciate it!, Juan Carlos! Thanks for watching!

[@loganconnally4361]

Also, no idea what tour doing with a steel trowel That early, it always blows my mind when people just go for it without doing any research

[@weerhaaw]

Don't be so hard on yourself, not bad for a first try.

[@alexworley5935]

Honestly i would have torn out the existing concrete but i understand why you didn't.

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I hear you man! That would definitely would have been the "right" way to go. I went with the "fast/easy" way for this one. Thanks for watching!

[@LeonardoEUA]

Actually you can fix using a concrete grinder. Rent a big one and smooth out the surface

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I didn't even know that was an option. Thanks for the tip!

[@stevendeckert6373]

@@AndrewThronImprovements That'll work as long as the concrete underneath is poured to consistency and there are no air pockets, which is pretty tough with handmixing a lot of bags like you did. Considering your mix looked pretty dry and you didn't have a big float it doesn't look that bad.

[@cancunmartinez6163]

Watch (Odell complete concrete) on KZbin Bud I've been finishing concrete for over 10 years and he explains things very well

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

I'll check out his stuff for sure - appreciate the info! I have a ton to learn in the concrete department. Thanks for watching!

[@EPTRotorsports]

Yo be fair, it came out pretty good for just using a hand tool and not using a float. My back would have been blasted

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Appreciate it! And yea our backs were obliterated. Concrete is tough on the body. Thanks for watching!

[@EPTRotorsports]

@Andrew Thron Improvements ya it's tough. Thanks for posting bro.

[@geraldhiwauli426]

We all make mistakes bro

[@TheHalusis]

wetter next time

[@locotx215]

Ain't a disaster . . . looks find to me . . it's a patio it's not a graded art project

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Agreed - Thanks for watching!

[@alexstrings]

Did you burned that small drill? You need a rotary hammer man! lol!

[@AndrewThronImprovements]

Thanks for watching! Appreciate the support!

[@alexstrings]

@@AndrewThronImprovements All right man. Wishing the best!

[@thisischris5351]

Be sure to look into the camera when you're doing your green screen commentary stuff instead of looking at the monitor, otherwise we risk seeming like a self-satisfied diva 🤷‍♂very nice video tho!

[@danielk810]

Inexperience is not a mistake. Not doing adequate research on a job you don’t have any experience doing is.

[@edgarestrada1146]

I call this a good DIY job I've seen very bad work and you're far from it.

[@patleahan1947]

Keep videos to professionals please

[@thisischris5351]

and your *brother* ...good LAWD 🔥🧨🧯🔥❤‍🔥