How To Lift a Sunken Concrete Pool Deck Slab with A DIY Tool. I can build one for you.

[@PappyNet01]

Thanks for sharing your Maker Project! Your slab lifting tool reminded me of our Plymouth Fury III jacks and jack hook. I have to repair our swimming pool, but the more I watch YT channels like your channel I realize that our slabs aren't as bad. Some of tiles have fallen off the pool wall and that is when I learned that my parents paid a contractor 15 years ago to give the swimming pool a makeover, which included new tiles glued over the original tiles, new grout/mastic/mortar and provide a less slippery deck. Five years later in 2014 we experienced a couple of tropical storms that caused extreme flooding in northwest Florida, which shifted the slabs, I honestly don't think the slabs have shifted any further since 2014. I am trying to determine the best methods and solutions with a fair cost. I think I will be forced to do the DIY method because we received a bid for 25K

[@bdpgarage]

Got a picture of the fury jack you can point me to? Curious what it looks like.

[@Mrlexlopez12]

Mine just arrived! The packaging was outstanding. I will be putting it to work tomorrow.

[@bdpgarage]

Glad to hear that. They are heavy and so I always worry how the packaging holds up.

[@jamesp5343]

@Mrlexlopez12 howd it work?

[@daveduckworth1800]

great tool for sure.......I raised a couple slabs around my pool with a 5 foot pry bar but my fence was not as close as yours.

[@bdpgarage]

Still producing these and have orders for three more this coming week. Thanks everyone, interest in these was totally unexpected.

[@Talonflame99]

I’m interested in ordering. Trying to figure out how quickly you can get something to the northern Virginia area.

[@bdpgarage]

@@Talonflame99 I can ship one tomorrow and have material for 5 more left.

[@bdpgarage]

@@Talonflame99 they ship UPS so I’d guess you’d have it Tuesday or Wednesday.

[@goatwish13]

You still have available. I'm interested in ordering

[@bdpgarage]

@@goatwish13 yes, still have a few.

[@gergemall]

Incredible job. I’d love to be able to lift my patio pad about an inch higher .

[@bdpgarage]

Thanks! I’ve got about 5 more of them left if interested. There are other methods involving spray foam if you look for those. I’m just not sure I trust that foam long term and not sure how it holds up to moisture. You can also lift the edge with a railroad jack, but that involves a little more digging.

[@dancapor]

Super simple, just ordered one!

[@bdpgarage]

Thanks. Should be able to ship by Wed

[@dancapor]

Looking forward to using it to fix my pool apron too!@@bdpgarage

[@octaviushicks2215]

How can i purchase the tool?????​@@bdpgarage

[@bdpgarage]

@@octaviushicks2215 i still have a few available on my website link in the description

[@ev1558]

Very nice! It reminds me that growing up on a farm (just dad and me), we had to get pretty inventive on work/tools/process or it didn't get done.

[@bdpgarage]

It’s one of those cases where if I paid someone to fix everything, I’d be broke.

[@TechFreezeOfficial]

Amazing video. We would like to show this video on our channel with your permission. We will add your link and your name will also be mentioned in the video. Let us know what you think

[@bdpgarage]

Sure, no problem at all.

[@mainstreetsilverback]

Really great tool. Nice innovation.

[@bdpgarage]

Thanks!

[@jamesryan1064]

great job. Your welding and metal skills are awesome

[@bdpgarage]

Thanks! Some others would not agree with you though. Still a lot to learn.

[@stevewasilow5556]

Luv the design

[@bdpgarage]

Thanks!

[@lt8710]

Awesome idea!

[@bdpgarage]

I’ve got an upcoming video where I’ll be using the new tool to level a portion of my driveway that has sunk a bit and causes standing water after a big rain. Hoping that it works! ( I haven’t filmed it yet so I don’t know if it will!)

[@leet2701]

Nice work!

[@bdpgarage]

Thanks!

[@dwainborden9171]

I have this very same issue to deal with. I love your idea. I you really don't mind sharing the cad file I would be very grateful. Thank you.

[@bdpgarage]

I added an option to buy one assembled. See link in the description

[@ToddRafkin-yw6hp]

Very interesting I am in the pool business and have seen many decks drop.I may have you make me one! Do you have any issues with the slab cracking on you a customer of mine had his deck lifted and somehow a corner was broken off??

[@bdpgarage]

Mine has not cracked yet. It does seem that you need to make sure the slab can actually move before trying to lift it, otherwise the tool will keep lifting and something will break. I’ve found that it helps to not “pinch” the concrete slab between the lifting arm and the hook. Adding wooden shims under the lifting arm to keep it close to horizontal seems to help. Also try lifting the slab a little bit at a time and see if it moves. If it’s not moving, figure out where it’s hung up on before continuing. Some decks are reinforced with rebar and so what looks like a small section can actually be quite a bit larger. You may need to cut an expansion joint in that case.

[@seephor]

Great idea. The issue of doing this is now you have a void under the concrete which is near impossible to fill properly.

[@bdpgarage]

Actually it was fairly easy to fill. The lifted side is accessible after lifting it and I was able to partially pack it full of stone, the built a concrete form for the back side and poured a small concrete backer to hold it up. Then I poured construction grout in between the slab joints to fill any voids the packed stone didn’t reach. It’s been solid for a year now with no signs of movement. (Except for the part that wasn’t lifted near the diving board where there was a leak. I have another video detailing that.

[@stevewallis661]

Packing it with stone only creates a drainage bed for water to flow through. You need something non permeable like spray foam or cement to prevent the slab from sinking again. Home depot sells a spray foam kit in a box that would take care of the void rather easily as opposed to using a grout pump to fill it.

[@thomeedee]

Ingenious! Nice !

[@bdpgarage]

Appreciate everyone who’s purchased one of my tools! If you have a review, I’d love to hear it and how it could be improved.

[@justinderekblack3883]

Where can we buy one and how much is it?

[@bdpgarage]

@@justinderekblack3883 I have a link on my website www.bdpknox.com.

[@ltltraffic5409]

incredible. Nice work.

[@bdpgarage]

Thanks!

[@PlumberStacker]

How many times have you broke the concrete where the definitely awesome invention meets the concrete under the slab?

[@bdpgarage]

I have not had it break at all, but I did have one customer who reported it breaking. It sounded like he was trying to lift up a slab that was too large or was not free to move.

[@thundercloud7850]

Wow, you are a smart guy! How do you fill the cavity under the raised pad? Won't the pad crack if the cavity isn't filled full?

[@bdpgarage]

Yes, the cavity needs to be filled up. I backfilled it with paver base (crushed stone) and then poured a concrete collar at the back to keep the backfill in place. I also poured construction grout in the joint between the slabs to fill in any books and cranny’s the backfill might have missed. You could do the whole thing with the grout as well, as that’s what slab jacking companies use for the same purpose. It’s been solid so far, no movement.

[@michaelpiecuch7313]

How would you lift the slab if was against the house? Awesome video!

[@bdpgarage]

I actually have a situation where I need to do that and have some ideas. It’ll be a bit before I can get to it though.

[@michaelpiecuch7313]

Thank you so much!

[@gergemall]

Do you still sell these ? Thx. Please disregard I found the link . Thank you.

[@bdpgarage]

Yep, still have a few left.

[@okcsmith]

love a copy of CAD file

[@bdpgarage]

Send me an email on my website and I’ll email you a link to it.

[@aisam6311]

Thats so smart bro, would you sell me one, i do t have metal fabrication and weld equipment.

[@bdpgarage]

Yep, i still have a few more.

[@birther1968]

Great ideas. What do you put under to keep the slab up? If you do this work in Houston reply back, I have about 50 feet of sidewalk to raise.

[@bdpgarage]

I used a lot of paver base which is just crushed stone. I ended up using a 2 x 4 to jam it as far under the slab as I could and then I poured a small concrete cap at the very back edge just to keep the paver base from wanting to find its way out. It’s been holding up for several months with no signs of movement yet. Love to visit Texas but I don’t do any work there. I’ve posted the link to the 3-D files if you want to make your own tool or someone else has asked about me building it for them and shipping them one as well which could be an option. I’m just not sure how much shipping would cost for that much steel.

[@bdpgarage]

Had multiple people asking about it so I just put up a link in the description to buy one of these tools if you’re interested in doing the work yourself.

[@bdpgarage]

One other option after you supper the slab is to get some construction grout (Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc) and you can pour it in between the joints to fill the gap. The grout can be mixed very thin and it’ll pour in between very thin gaps or you can drill a ~1” hole in the slab to pour it through. Then just let it dry and remove your supports.

[@cesaragustoorozcoramirez5314]

Hey brother, I need one of that. How much is gonna be one of that?

[@bdpgarage]

Still have them up on my website link if you want one.

[@nomasker1360]

What did you support the slab with after lifting it ? Bricks ? Styrofoam ?

[@bdpgarage]

Once its supported using a brick or two along the edge, I packed as much paver stone base under the slabs that i reasonably could and then formed over the edge with a wooden boards and then poured a concrete collar around the back. Then i poured construction grout in between all the expansion joints to fill in any voids in the rock. Ive heard some people use great stuff foam but we have lots of critters that would dig through that. I think the construction grout is the best option if you can find a way to pour it in. Its very flowable so not too bad.

[@ToddRafkin-yw6hp]

I bet if you had to you might be able to drill an access port for injecting your grout or foam or whatever material your using

[@ramoii]

Great idea, can you send me the drawings for the tool. Thanks

[@Viper61787]

Hey bud, I was wondering with the lifting of the deck did it damage or push out any of the blue decorative tiles you have in the inside of the pool?

[@bdpgarage]

No tiles damaged. There’s a bit of a gap between the tiles and top of the bond beam so not much risk of damage. But I’ve since removed all the tile and using some staples to fix a few structural cracks and will be installing all new tile.

[@Viper61787]

@@bdpgarage Understood, well you got me sold on your tool. Will be buying me one soon. Thank you for getting back to me so quick.

[@bdpgarage]

@@Viper61787 cool, if you have to move the slabs along the ground in addition to lifting them, I’d recommend a “Burke” bar. Basically a giant pry bar. It was super helpful.

[@ToddRafkin-yw6hp]

If you have coping stones the there is going to be that so called flexible joint between deck and pool do you think there would be a problem with a cantilever type deck what if you had travertine deck??

[@dougsshed6713]

Sweet!

[@danetteweddle5711]

do you sell the tool that you made ?

[@bdpgarage]

I just added an option to purchase one.

[@MrCurtis69427]

Im interested in the hook and bar. Do you sell them or the file? Im having the same issue. I gound the website and just ordered one. Cant wait to get to work. Lol

[@bdpgarage]

Yep, still offering them. Ill warn you its hard work. 🤣 i see the order and should be able to ship it by friday.

[@MrCurtis69427]

@@bdpgarage well, it's either hard work or 10k. I'm more scared of the 10k than the hard work. I'm looking forward to fixing this problem. I'm going to form up the edges, drill 2 1/2 inch holes and pour concrete into the voids. Fingers crossed. Lol

[@bdpgarage]

@@MrCurtis69427 if you’re ok with the 2.5” holes, thats the best way to do it. Id actually recommend construction grout over concrete as it flows much easier and will self level itself under the deck. Once you cant fit anymore into your hole, you know its full.

[@MrCurtis69427]

@@bdpgarage right on... I'll look into that instead. And I'll fill the hole up and make it as best looking as possible. And maybe coat the deck to hide any of the old cracks (after repairing them) and any other blemishes. I have bricks separating different sections that I'll have to reset also.

[@MrCurtis69427]

And one more thing..... what's the maximum length of concrete I should lift with this hook? I have a couple sections probably 10 to 12 feet.

[@joshreynolds8973]

Hi, yes, I'd be interested if you could help me!

[@bdpgarage]

Thanks! My website is in the video description and it has the details on how to purchase one.

[@JimLewellen]

How much for the tool?

[@bdpgarage]

The website has the details. Didn’t want to list it here in case it changes. Shipping is free to the lower 48 states. bdpgarage.com

[@briangardner7540]

Hello! I would love a copy of the CAD file. Anyway to reach out via email?

[@bdpgarage]

Send me an email from my website link in the description.

[@chrisruffino5168]

Has anyone just deflated a football or basketball, slide it underneath then pump it to the night you need? I probably doesn't have the strength... But it might.

[@chrisruffino5168]

Height not night... Autocorrect!!!

[@bdpgarage]

Haven’t seen that, but it might work if you dug out enough space under it, but not too much. I’ve seen jacks used for lifting trucks off the ground off road that could do it. You’de just want to pack some cement, gravel or grout around it to hold it in place afterwards

[@davidz1681]

Bro just buy a toe jack. Some people call them railroad jacks. Done.

[@bdpgarage]

Yep that’s one option, but there’s a fence all the way around that makes a jack like that hard to use, and I’d still have to dig under the slab to get the jack in there.

[@enabledintergers9372]

Listen to your self!??? jesus!! you know very well!!! that's going to fail!!!!!!!!!!!! The right way would be to jack hammer everything and strat from scratch!!! look how many cracks on that cement you got? and you people are out here making videos though!! lol

[@bdpgarage]

Appreciate the encouragement! I did get a quote to have it jackhammered out and replaced, but there are lots of other things I could do with $30k. 🤣 Technically there was only one cracked portion, the rest of what may look like cracks are actually expansion joints I cut in the deck. So far there has not been any failure or sinking. It might not be obvious but once the slabs are leveled, I backfilled with stone and then poured a concrete collar at the back to keep the stone from being able to wash out, as well as filled in some voids near the joints with construction grout. So it’s still holding solid and I’m working on replacing the tile and pool plaster now.

[@shhpopes2903]

Great idea 👍