Level and Stain a Concrete Porch / Self Leveling Concrete

[@SJFrzrbrn]

PROPS! For not trying to look like you're perfect and never make mistakes! We're all human and things don't always work out the first time. The end result looks great!

[@TiffanyTiffany]

Thank you for showing that you're human and we make mistakes and we can fix it. You're such an inspiration! The porch looks fabulous!

[@brian.young19]

The comedic comments are always appreciated, thanks for making great diy continent!

[@johnbarbuto5387]

I really appreciate the commentary on technical problems, tools and techniques. I also really appreciate the "how to work with errors" section. Most of us DIY'ers will be doing things like this only once. So, we'll have errors or problems. It is actually very helpful to see how to work with those problems.

[@michelethomas6689]

Thank YOU!!! It really helps that you screwed up! I feel sooo much better!

[@MichaelBuilds]

LOL you’re welcome but I wish my wife would say the same thing LOL 😂

[@pockyb6887]

I have used this dye for three of my homes. It has held up great and will continue to use it!! Inside and out looks fine after 7 years now just seal it every year or as needed.

[@thickpenguin4814]

Respect for showing the mistakes and fixing them 👌 True value

[@bearbarre6435]

I watched the concrete counter top video yesterday. By the end, I was impressed and ready to subscribe. So I did. I watched a couple more of your videos which only confirmed to me that my decision to subscribe was a good idea. You have excellent content, you are upbeat and have a lot of energy, and you are not afraid to point out any mistakes you make and show us how to correct them. Outstanding! Keep the videos coming, you're doing great!

[@jasonbradleymartin]

After watching you B side video from a while ago, it makes me appreciate your effort to keep the boring topic of watching cement dry engaging and enjoyable. You're certainly honing your craft and I for one enjoy it.

[@l.a.martin2424]

Michael, you are awesome! I've been wanting to do this inside the house (damaged basement floor). You make it look easy, but acknowledge your mistakes too! makes a DIY'er like me much more confident. Thank man!

[@MichaelBuilds]

Thank you so much!

[@jaylord55]

how well has this held up my father did a concrete patio last summer and there are several uneven spots that now that it is winter are becoming a massive ice sheets was wondering if this would work to lvl/ make it so the water doesn't pool and if it would last long time without chipping off

[@benjaminjoeckel123]

Michael some of your stuff is so cool. And I like the fact your a concrete guy who admits his mistakes. Been into concrete work for 50 years. As you probably know a concrete workers useful life is not long enough. Man I found your site and even though my shoulders and knees are wore out I have found and explored stuff thru you I can do again. Thanks brother ☮️ Peace

[@tavosurfs]

I didn’t know there was such thing as concrete dye, thanks Mike

[@Angelo64172]

I like this hard leather concrete. It is beautiful.

[@SmokyMountainVolsFan]

I am so happy to see that you blew up! I saw your first video and just knew you were going to be big! See you on TV soon! Continued success!

[@MichaelBuilds]

Thank you so much Matt!

[@webmastercaribou7570]

Stain a concrete porch, one solid generic gray color for me. Enjoy your videos

[@GardenKatt]

I adore this look. Trying to make a small two person sitting area on the side of my garage and this has given me a great idea.

[@RealestateByMoe]

Thank you so much for the great video. It helped me a lot yesterday, and I actually use the squeegee device and put some nails to it so it can keep the robber half an inch above the floor, and it worked perfect. I didn’t have the other device that you were talking about which has height adjustment.

[@dantheman7344]

No mistakes, just happy little trees. Great Video THANKS.

[@donaldsullivan6979]

Need to do those stairs next!

[@wagnersilvestre1422]

Great work! I have to do exactly the same on my patio. Thanks for the detailed explanation and tips!!

[@pwpwglenti8328]

Very well thought out and great cinematography....well done. Randomly checked your video. Liked and subscribed. Greetings from Greece!

[@MichaelBuilds]

Thank you so much! AND WELCOME TO THE CHANNEL! 💪🏻👍🏻😊

[@DonaldSweet-t5e]

Looks really good but what keeps it from cracking again as it settles more?

[@timdover7540]

Thanks Michael for giving the confidence to tackle projects like this 👍💥

[@mariadavies9963]

I was looking for this video ... I extended my driveway and add more concrete for a patio and the patio area is uneven. And the paint idea is super. Summer project. ,

[@MichaelBuilds]

Awesome!

[@kenc6602]

Thanks Mike so did the Dye paint worked? U have no links on the description. And what about instead of the Concrete Leveler you us Concrete Resurface? Will it still work the same? Thanks.

[@tcorde02]

LOVE the finished look

[@MichaelBuilds]

Thank you so much Tammy! We like it hehe

[@wizdumwifey]

Love the way you teach!!! I’m gonna try this.

[@MichaelBuilds]

Why thank you! 🙏😊

[@Adi-S]

Great video! After two years now, how did the stain work out?

[@bentducks]

Would like to see more discussion about what to do around the edges !!

[@AchieveMoreRetirement]

Nice video. How many bags of cement leveler did you use for that space? Thanks.

[@hugosong2304]

Hi Michael! Superb presentation skills and top-notch production value! Great information and so entertaining! Thank you for doing this!

[@ryanbeeler3958]

Soooooo one thing not mentioned in this video that I learned after my first failed attempt at doing this. Maybe this was obvious to most but I didn't really think it would be an issue. It is that this stuff sets SUPER QUICKLY. And I knew that it did but I thought I would be able to move fast enough. Well, I was wrong. Eventually, the product curing caught up with me. Having another set of hands or two will make a huge difference here. It is advised to have multiple buckets with the water measured out, someone to mix while you pour, and even a third person that keeps the hose on misting the fresh surface. I couldn't keep up to mist fast enough and on top of looking like crap because it set too fast and didn't blend with the final pours, I got hairline cracks in the good part because it dried too quickly. GET HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS TO DO THIS!!!

[@sm87112]

Nicely done, I have both an indoor and outdoor application.

[@100smp]

👌Nice project! I basically just did the same thing to my patio, but with the "Cement All" variation (with plenty Set and Flow Control.) How long after you finished the Leveling concrete layer did you wait to apply the concrete stain and sealer?

[@moreworkfortrevor2027]

Nice, I did some concrete counters a while back and I used a beige color like yours but it was an acid stain, so when you artistically apply the stain in a random pattern and get some overlay you get deeper and deeper colors without having to use multiple colors. Turned out fantastic!

[@ajahanna6293]

I love it and I loved that you used inexpensive tools and you made errors and showed how to fix I am not sure what a mist is but I assume it’s water! Lol

[@jackjune156]

That porch is beautiful

[@adamfetterman9628]

I just watched and enjoyed the video. And I am wondering how it held up. Thanks

[@MichaelBuilds]

The leveler held up great. The stain and clear coat held up good but there were a few small chips here and there. If you have snowy winters DO NOT use the gloss! Waaaaay too slippery!Go low sheen for better traction

[@johniorio7951]

Fantastic job......only snafu was the porcupine rolller...thats for creating bubbles!!....just kiddin- great job

[@urstin]

You're my hero, Michael.

[@rico1319]

Michael your videos are always great!! 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱

[@sharhondamccray1869]

Great job! I'm hooked now. Time to start my binge watching. I'm learning so much. I can't wait until I am completely healed from this rotator cuff tear to put what I'm learning to use. Thanks for sharing.

[@jenniferball1037]

I have watched most of your videos. I'm planning a major redo of my back yard. I would like to see a video of water color staining of concrete. I have watched a few about it elsewhere. But yours are entertaining and I usually watch more than once. I hope to see more of your concrete videos. I have learned so much thank you.

[@RON-dl9qr]

what he used was water based stain

[@TGCIT]

Easily one of my new favorite channels! I really appreciate your content and method of explanation and demonstration, very helpful! Keep it comin!

[@MichaelBuilds]

Thank you so much Cliff! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that! ☺️🙏👍🏻

[@helioramos1974]

Nice combination of sand colors. Good looking porch! 👍

[@JacindaH]

Lord I wish you were for hire. We remodeled an old cabin and it had no kitchen. The cupboards arrive tomorrow..and I really want counters like this....but I'm terrified of doing this myself. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise

[@mram7715]

Seeing your Pittsburgh level made me confident to pull this off.....I too have this level 👍🏽

[@joelsloper530]

Well still looking good? Watched your video now I'm thinking about taking back all the porcelain tiles I bought what are your thoughts??? Please help

[@codyfahnestock4791]

Every online source says that that underlayment is not suitable for outdoor use or a finished floor topping for that matter. I didn’t believe them at first but after using this stuff and letting it set for a week I was able to scratch/pull it up with my finger nail. It’s polymer based, it’s like over 80% polymer which gives it its self leveling properties but it also makes it a very weak concrete mixture. I’m curious to see what that slab looks like today after all the wear and tear and foot traffic. What steps would you take or what would you apply over this to ensure a long life span of that slab or something similar to that nature, like if you were going to do this same procedure in a garage floor or a wood shop floor that would be receiving a lot of weight and vibration to the floor. I would imagine from its weak integrity that it would crack and chip from the slightest of pressure but I’m curious to get your take on it. Thanks for your time and your vids, god bless.

[@m.h.1327]

I just like your attitude and tenacity. LOL...great job!!!

[@BL-ut2zz]

hi great video. i am looking to use this cts rapidset self leveler for the finished surface on the floor in my home. i was wondering how yours has held up so far since that particular one is for underlayment applications? thanks

[@heyzeuss]

This was so good! Thank you. Just what I needed to see. Will the self leveling work well on my outdoor slab if one side is sunken? I'll incase the whole thing properly I'm just hoping it can fix a slanted slab instead of paying 2k for mudjacking. (2 birds stoned at once as i can not only level my slab cheap but can also make the rough surface pretty as it was just foundation support for an old deck I rippped out and is rough as heck

[@SurfnTurfdfl]

Even with the happy little accidents, still looked good!!!! Giving me ideas for my back patio a little later!!!!

[@MichaelBuilds]

Lol 😂 thank you so much! 👍🏻😊

[@efos8358]

Hi Michael, your video is so helpful, and we are wondering how the patio held up??

[@Orangie2008]

The moment you asked "what's the moral..." my brain screamed "RTFM"! Great video!

[@MichaelBuilds]

Lol 😂

[@denenemcbride7372]

And I chuckled, and thought "dudes!"

[@barrylitchfield250]

It looked like there were a lot of bubbles in the sealer you sprayed on last, and they showed up after it dried. Is that to be expected? At the beginning you said this leveler needed to have something over it, and you mentioned tile, and laminate. Is a stain and sealer one of the recommended coverings to keep the leveler protected from deteriorating in the weather?

[@barrylitchfield250]

@@cuervo28208- I agree, and I am one of those old geezer people you mentioned! As a 73 year old, I'm really tired of seeing video of people "acting like" they know what they're doing, and it's actually the first time they've ever tried to do the job.

[@petebeat1510]

You need a gauge rake for sure which will give you a much better more even finish! Gauge rake and spike roller are a must I am a floor layer we do vinyl plank, hybrid floor, timber floors and are used to floor preparation

[@danconlan8735]

Looks much better than before Michael! Keep up the great work and stay healthy my friend! Thanks, DC

[@thomasberezansky95]

great video! I just bought a house that has some pesky settling in the back patio. There are 6 pads with multiple settling issues. Would I be able to "join" all of them by applying this over top to make them all level and then put a surface over top??

[@LupeThaKilla9]

Any issues with water since this is self levelling and not sloping away from the house?

[@petechatelain2155]

Hi Micheal, great video. Question for you: would this product work well in Canada, where we get -40 degree winters lol?

[@kkmullin]

Retired GC moving back to NC b/c my house got torn up in Hurricane Ian and going to build my "final" house. I'm low on cash and thinking about how to temp surface the OSB subfloor until I can afford real flooring. What do you recommend? I only need it to last for a year or so. Your videos are flipping AWESOME for this 70 YO Nanny. Going to be doing a lot of the finishing inside DIM.

[@MrGRUVES]

Dude! You did it again! Pure Awesomeness! Love how you try your best to avoid specialty tools and keep this for the regular average Joe handyman! Love how you make mistakes and include that in the tutorial as things to watch out for,...and you can laugh at yourself, "Be gentle when filling your sprayer!" Also, not as important to me, but the video audio quality is really good! Keep up the good work! Really appreciate you! Been watching since the first video!

[@brianhernandez232]

I would like to know, how long you waited for the surface to cure before applying stain?

[@benscully7319]

I don't know what you do for a living but I would love to work for you your personality is great and what you do is just as good

[@richardsorice4509]

Great video! My patio may be slightly larger, 12' x 20' and has a similar low There is no expansion joint. Do I need one? Also how do I know if I need to grind or not? The plan is to install ceramic tile after leveling.

[@josephduchow3599]

Hey Michael I appreciate the video. I would have some serious concerns on the self leveler holding up with just the sealer on top. I’ve used it many times in indoor applications but not one like this. Usually on a damaged patio like that I would skim with a patching concrete like “Cements all” or “cams patch”. I am interested to see how it holds up! Again thanks for the video. Take care!

[@rafaelmontoya1002]

Prep is the key of success

[@talign646]

Michael quick question....you said the floor leveler was not a wearable material. So, does the stain and sealer solve that problem making it able to hold up to constant traffic?

[@rafaelmontoya1002]

Yes, the sealer will make it a wearable surface.

[@guahansoldier2011]

Love the satin color. I would like to evening my garage. Do you know if this leveler can handle vehicles?

[@Philadelphia19147]

Same question

[@DiffEQ]

Absolutely not! A sealer is just that... it seals the substrate so that nothing penetrates. It is NOT a wearable surface. Was I emphatic enough? Anyone saying it is, does not know what they're talking about and shouldn't be giving out advice. In fact, according to the manufacturer, the duration of the seal is based upon the amount of surface abrasion the surface is subjected to... and it could be as little as 2 months! Untouched, the surface would still have to be resealed in a few years. You know of a porch/deck that is untouched? A wearable surface means some sort of flooring over it... which may include a poured epoxy coating, but not sealer. SEALER! Does the name not tell you what it's designed to do? why are you asking someone that completely botched the job and confessed he's never used those final products???

[@RON-dl9qr]

There is no way that sealer will make a underlayment a wearable surface. A build up coating such as a urethane will work outside or a epoxy inside Maybe some water-based epoxies if you use enough coats, but not what he used. HOWEVER he says it could be used OUTSIDE. That more than likely means it can be used as an overlayment. RAPID SET is just covering their butt by saying not recommended for wearable. If it is not rated for outside and it says not a wearable surface BELIEVE them.

[@Thurge]

In the video you said that the leveler is an underlay. Is the dye/stain enough of an overlay to protect the product or was it only temporary and you'll have to put tile or wood down later? Would this work for a pool patio or would you recommend something else?

[@clairekoenig6341]

Thanks so much for this very helpful video! I would like to do a thin brick veneer over my concrete front patio and steps, but it has some cracks and unlevel spots I need to fix first. If you’re willing I have a few questions: 1) I noticed your porch had some cracks too: does the leveler fill those in sufficiently on its own or do I need to do an additional step to avoid the cracks eventually going through to the mortar? 2) the lowest point on the porch abuts my house (stucco cement siding panels in places, rough cedar trim in others). Is there any prep work I should do to either surface before pouring the leveler? Probably no deeper than 1-1.5 cm. Thank you!!

[@kmsvids4254]

You said it couldn’t be a wearable surface, but it was left exposed. Did it hold up?

[@lauragwillim1055]

Just what I was looking for!! I have a 1940’s little cottage house with a front porch that has water pooling in several areas. Paint that was applied just peels and basically looks like sh*t. I noticed the self leveling concrete spills over the edge naturally, but what if I don’t want that? My front porch has red brick surround and steps coming from the front of the porch are also red brick. I don’t want the concrete spilling over the red brick. How would you suggest I prevent that? Thank you! New sub!!

[@Debbyiamme]

I just loved this video. You make me laugh, Michael. Not at you but just how you do your videos. The way you acknowledge your mistakes, the way you tell us what corners you cut; (which was on your last video that I just watched, "How to make a rubber mold"). I watched your concrete benches yesterday with the stone rivers that run through them and I subscribed immediately to your videos. You're real, you're fun, you're funny when need be and your serious and so informative on your directions. Keep up the good work. I've got to level my basement floor and I might need someone to come help BUT I will definitely have a hand in it so that we do it my way; which will be the way that I learn it here of what to do and of what NOT to do. Thank you so much for your videos. I'm looking to see more. I'm going to go look now to see if you've got one on Bird Baths. If you don't; oh wait, I see one now from Michael Builds How to do Bird Baths and Repair concrete step. Cool, I'm going to go watch that one right now; then I need to get to work. Thanks again.

[@jasoncollins7656]

Been a fan since video one. I need some help. Last year I stained my back patio using the Rapid Set Self leveler. I'm looking to do a different stain this year along with another coat of the self leveler. What do I need to do with the existing coat of stain before starting the new project? Looking forward to the new videos this year....

[@bselbr1159]

I was worried....where had you been? Glad you are back and doing exactly what I need help with...thank you and stay well

[@charlieabel1533]

Is it adviseable to pour self leveling concrete on top of fresh concrete so that no primer is required?

[@seanpfodera]

This is the most informative self-leveling concrete video I have watched. In the video, it says the leveler product is not intended as a wearable surface, and requires some form of covering (tiles, etc.). But you dyed the surface and left it uncovered. Why is that? Also, if the old concrete was previously painted with epoxy garage floor paint, will the primer and leveler adhere to that, or does it all need to be ground off?

[@RON-dl9qr]

Wait for his HOW TO USE A SCARIFIER VIDEO sure to follow.

[@davidrosen4951]

The product says it's not fora permanent walking surface but for some kind of finish surface like tile. You put on some coatings and I'm wondering if that made it OK as a permanent walking surface. How has it held up?

[@JDoe-hb7pc]

It looks perfect! I would be so grateful and happy if mine came out like this.

[@donnie7578]

I Love the color also...Great Work!

[@YooToobz]

Exactly what I came on YT to look for. Excellent job it looks great. Appreciate the info and tips. Doing my back patio soon, approx same size. About how much of each of the products did yours require? That’s a good rough estimate for mine. Thanks again

[@ryanbeeler3958]

What tool did you use and what did you spray to smooth out the vertical edge surfaces? I'm a novice to concrete and want to make sure I'm doing it right.

[@Pressondude]

I didn't know that when it says "underlayment" you can just stain/seal it. This makes me feel a lot better. I'm leveling out a patio and may/may not build a deck on top. If I can make it look this nice I may not! I bought the house with a deck on top of a cracked patio, but just recently had to strip the deck off because the joists rotted through due to standing water.

[@benscully7319]

Dude that looks great keep them videos coming I wait for your videos everyday I can't get enough of them

[@rogermccaslin5963]

Hey Michael, it's a year later. How's the dye holding up?

[@nickbrutanna9973]

@@RM-lo1ud Yeah, Michael, where's the beef? :-D

[@samueladams584]

Where's the update video 😡

[@_DEADED]

All of this dudes videos top comments are asking for a follow up vid.. idk

[@lucaskrakow2533]

Looking to do this, how was the stains longevity

[@sparky2059]

Great job!! love the color

[@MichaelBuilds]

Thank you so much James!

[@danburch9989]

You mentioned that this self-leveling concrete is not a wear surface; it needs something on top. But it looks like in your video that there is not top wear surfacing. Does the sealer make it a wear surface? I want to do something similar but I want to avoid laying tile on top. I like the finish that you applied.

[@B37h3l]

How has it held up over the months? Does the leveler chip off of the concrete?

[@santiagogonzalez2710]

Hey micheal what do i use if i have a new concrete garage slab that got wet when they poured it with new construction home thats pitted and spalled and has some small little pits in it. Do u recommend Cement All or the Concrete Leveler? Should i gring that too? I plan on putting Full Flake Epoxy once I do this please let me know thanks

[@joincany]

Loved the video! Unfortunately, I only found it after just completing my front porch. Yours turned out a lot better than mine. I had a foam squeegee (big mistake) to start. The product itself was great. Question: My porch is covered and is on the North side of the house. It gets very little sun throughout the day. I like the look of concrete. What, if anything, should I put over the Rapidset that will make this durable.

[@jeffheffner6196]

Will this leveler work for a outdoor kitchen that I'm installing over a cement pad. The cement pad has 2" (Y) x 3" (X) of drop on it to keep water from the house, I want to put in outdoor kitchen cabinets on the far end of the pad (22 foot from the house) to level the foot print of the cabinets? love your videos and now a sub after watching cement counter tops and this video!

[@MontyMcKinnon]

Wow, does that ever look great. Another awesome learning experience and very entertaining. Well done sir!

[@MichaelBuilds]

Thank you so much Monty!!!

[@toenailtom654]

I have questions.... You just put stain right on top of the grey patch ?? You don't have to make it white then apply stain ? I used Mapei floor patch, should I seal that and start over.? My area is only a patch job 2x6 ft area

[@byronpollitz2990]

Is it worth using this self leveler on collapsed sidewalk around the houses foundation? Should I jack the sidewalk up and then do surface repair with this or just get rid of the existing sidewalk and pour a whole new one? I think there’s 3 sections of sidewalk next to each other, Each 8’ long 40”wide all sunk different depths 1-3”

[@criplexxx]

Somehow you have a new sub 😎 love your work, solide content Michael

[@Affordablebath_remodel]

Happy Holidays! Another informative video, well done. Pull up a chair and have a cold one.

[@marybethduke3263]

Fabulous! I need this video so that I can redo all the stoops on my home (4 in all). Thanks for the instructions, including what can go wrong!

[@TheAlpine49]

Thanks Michael, you took one for the team! Loved the video!

[@kylecash6697]

Could use a hand float for a small area of a patio? Like a 3x4? Or does the squeegee broom work the best?

[@badarticle9132]

You’re nice and clear fella. Good vids. Subscribed.