SIDEWALKS (Old School vrs. New School) Mike Haduck

In this video I show the differences between sidewalks used in China and Scandinavia, compared to the sidwalks used here in the U.S.A. Mostly Pennsylvania area, I am more of an old school - keep it simple mason who show my style of thinking, www.amazon.com/shop/mikehaduck

[@CheekyMonkey1776]

It's clear that in the SHORT TERM it is cheaper in NEW construction to simply pour concrete as opposed to using granite pavers, curbs, cobble stone, and tiles. Even though as you point out so well, it costs so much more in the longer term. In the States we have a an obsessive focus on short term costs and profits. We see this in the stock market and in the way most American corporations are run. I suppose it's only natural that this focus would be present in or construction techniques. Excellent video! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Cheeky, I appreciate it. mike

[@86irisheyes]

Cheeky Monkees cheap isn’t good good isn’t cheap . If you want to make a road way you have to excavate 12 feet to undisturbed ground compact base 0/3/4 6 feet toss Portland on top hard pack 6.5 feet concrete 6 feet bellow grade 6 inches above now top it with blacktop . Poor on 4 inch foam tack tape and seal 35 mpa let’s see

[@bobbiefluffy]

Thank you Mike for the wealth of knowledge in your videos! I'm in my twenties, not even in construction, and I love your work

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks bobbie, I hope it save you some money down the road, thanks mike

[@harrypehkonen]

OMG! I like working with concrete, but I'll look into using pavers in the future instead. Thanks for the pointers, Mike!

[@twentyonetwos3967]

Very enjoyable and informative videos. Thank you Mike. The difference between theory and practicality is experience.

[@urbanistic5]

Love your passion , for work !

[@dariosame2655]

Mr Mike you are so awesome and I want to thank you again for that simplicity concept in everything you do; for sure that taught me a great lesson from now on. Thanks again.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Dario, I appreciate it, mike

[@FrankHogg]

Thanks for doing these videos. I used the info in another video of yours to fix my front sidewalk and it came out just as you said it would. Thanks!

[@derek3200]

What a wealth of knowledge Mike. I am in my 20s this is fascinating. Thank you for documenting your travels and explaining the different styles and ways of thinking.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Derek, Mike

[@johnp.delaura6008]

You are right Mike, simplicity would cut our Municipal budgets and save the taxpayers money and possibly not have tax increases.

[@Gnefitisis]

I agree to the that this could save spending that could be used towards local healthcare or education. My particular interest in this is that this could really beautify American towns. Having been on those same streets that Mike was on, I have to say that even little neighborhoods and villages in Danmark actually do look like that.

[@LegionPrime]

Be careful, the unions will firebomb your house for that kind of talk!

[@420JackG]

@@LegionPrime I'm not nearly as worried about the unions as I am the concrete companies.

[@WHATSUPWATSON]

I from a 'new' town in the UK built in the 50's. All the sidewalks were made from pavers, 50+ years later still there and in good condition. Now when they have to lift them for underground repairs they're being replaced with asphalt which crumble after 10 years, they are patches on top of patches and in the winter they become ice rinks.

[@cschnitker8865]

Yeah, Thanks for using old school tech. Love ya Mike. Your a breath of fresh air. Keep up the good work, Take some more tours and we love the stuff you an yours put up on KZbin. Oh yeah, have a happy holiday season, an get back to work. : ) signed, your cheering section down in Texas

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi C, I appreciate hearing that, it means I am on the right track, cheers from PA, thanks mike

[@AllanBanks]

Well done Mike, common sense and Old School smarts, your comparisons are spot On. Thanks

[@stevelee5291]

what an interesting perspective...thanks mike!

[@CLFaerber]

Mike, I just wanted to say thank you for these videos. I enjoy your perspectives and the opportunity to see how things are/were done in different countries and the your unpretentious authenticity. I do cuss a lot when I am working on projects and they do not turn out to be quick and easy as you always show them to be. But then I do not have 40 years worth of experience. Humph! I am learning and I will stop cursing once I get the hang of all these skills. I figure that will be just about the time I am done. Have a good evening!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks CL, no worries I still do some cussing myself, lol thanks mike

[@bellegreycats490]

Mike, Your videos are so educational and informative. I’m a fan of old school too! Seems far more sturdy and last for generations

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Belle, Mike

[@jameshayes850]

Once again another excellent video and tutorial.We're about the same age and I've been in masonry trades since the late 60's and all your videos really hit home.I live in Chicago so your mentions are also so important as regards to the working circumstances and conditions.Thanks again and wishing you all the best,\.Jim Hayes

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks James, I appreciate that hearing from a pro, It makes me feel I am on the right track, thanks mike

[@TylerDickey1]

Very eye opening, I love going back into the Haduck backlog!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Tyler, mike

[@Barnekkid]

An old timer once told me common sense wasn't common.

[@MikeHaduck]

good saying, thanks mike

[@vicedpowers1750]

An old timer once told me common sense to a Doctor is different from common sense to a Butcher.

[@ebw_servant_of_GOD]

Common sense is elusive as a lawyer who does not lie.

[@chadmyers4432]

Excellent piece to start the day with- persistence.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Chad, mike

[@livelaughlove716]

I love these videos. I think i binge watched them all. I have a home in upstate new york that was built in 1812 in orchard park ny. Wild bill donovan ince owned it. Because of your videos im slowly but surely repairing the stone (boulder) foundation inside and out. And im going to put a concrete pad down before i lay pavers n flagstone for a patio outside of a deck im building. Thanks so much your videos have been so helpful! Once i post my videos i will certainly give you credit in them

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Nicholas, mike

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Excellent video. I learned a lot. Thank you for taking the time to post this up.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mac, mike

[@hootinouts]

MIke, I hope you are still checking comments to your videos. I love your channel and all the talent and wisdom you bestow in such a straightforward and humble manner. I found your videos when I was looking on how to repair my concrete steps that are disintegrating. I liked your manner so much I began watching your other videos and quickly became a fan. My favorite is your video on making bird baths. I'm definitely going to make a few of those for my yard. Please keep up the great work. May God bless you and keep you in good health.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks for the kind words, these kind of comment keep me going on, mike

[@sebastiaanbien1891]

Thank you for sharing your way of thinking. Old fashion seems to be the only solution for modern sorrows. Really like your storytelling

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Sebastiaan, I appreciate it, mike

[@robwhiff3411]

Once again mike your are truly the best 😀 you have gotten me so into stone and cement work and haven’t started my first project , but I just love watching your videos .. I wish more people would watch what you have to offer specially for a first time home owner like me .. Stay blessed and wishing for you lots of health

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Rob, God bless also, mike

[@edwardstyrczula9355]

Travels are educational, and you’re a book of knowledge.Thank you for all the educational videos.God Bless.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Edward, Mike

[@pauldrowns7270]

Awareness (curiosity too), seem increasingly rare today. I've seen early aqueducts in the south of France that date to the early Roman period that are still standing...and are still transporting water...and had no mortar. A real instance of 'do it right,' and forget it. Roads in Germany are bid out just like they are here but in Germany, the winner of the contract has to put up a 50-year bond. Their road beds are significantly deeper, and the surfaces are much thicker than ours. Thank you again!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Paul, I agree,, mike

[@teachingandlearning]

thx for all the videos. I used them to put up a retaining wall and it came out beautiful. also made some stairs of course they aren't perfect but I'm sure they'll be around a long time. lived in Europe a long time, buildings are/were built to last, sidewalks included.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Jimmy, I appreciate it. mike

[@NickFarrow]

Great stuff. Really cool to see other countries' construction techniques. Thank you

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Nick, mike

[@covemanTV]

Mike - great video, and thanks for sharing your knowledge about the trade. ive been at it about 7 years and like to learn more however i can. i look forward to your videos and hope for more about the business side of things too. you could do a full-length documentary about old school vs new school, usa vs everybody else, masons vs plumbers lol

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks covman, i appreciate it. I am working on it, ;lol, mike

[@tofan2622]

Pretty interesting video. The one take away for me to think about is the whole granite deal. Seems like a great weather stopper whether it's on a curb or at the bottom of brickwork. Thank you for sharing.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Mat, I agree, mike

[@Bessmaster2000]

This is a well thought out video that you put a ton of work and money into. Thank you sir. I totally nerded our on it.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Grey Eagle, I appreciate it, mike

[@arkansas1336]

Mike, thanks for a great video. It was a joy seeing the old school and common sense methods from around the world! Your video was great and well produced, looking for more! During my entire construction career, I taught and "preached" the "KISS" (Keep It Simple, Stupid) method for the work at hand! Like you said "simple" and "common sense" construction are some of the things that we still need to be aware of. It's unfortunate that schools, engineers. politics, etc. appear to overlook these things here in the US....rather sad! ....13

[@Alement67]

Step 1: block traffic.. LOL. Great video Mike! I found your videos while looking up masonry tips and was amazed to see your from Avoca. I have property in Duryea. I think that they don't mind the sidewalks being in such terrible shape because it keeps the skateboarders off em.

[@sluggobrumm3967]

Great video Mike, thank you for your help.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks James, mike

[@greyhairedphantom4038]

in australia we are moving from concrete paving to pavers. Pavers have a few problems in areas of high soil salinity. i personally like the use of materials that "breathe", allowing the ground beneath to do what it always has seasonally. In southern Australia we have problems with salt damp, and i belive much of the stress on buildings in urban areas is caused by impervious sidewalks and roadways. I love your vids Mike, and believe that the young should be taught these commonsense things at trade training , as it teaches kids awareness of stuff thats taken us a lifetime to be aware of. I well remember working in my teens and thinking of the parties all week and the thing hanging on the end of my belly took prefdrence over most things hahaha, great times!

[@MikeHaduck]

Howdy Greyhaired, its great to hear from Down under, I agree 100 percent, thanks mike

[@CForged]

I like the video Mike I love the dedication at the end!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks,

[@jacqdanieles]

Very well done Mike! A real eye opener.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, mike

[@chrishonney9374]

Hi Mike - Really appreciate all your information. Keep it up!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Chris, I appreciate it. also, mike

[@jermf35]

Great video and love at the end who your dedicating the video to. God bless Mike !!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks jermf,, God bless, Mike

[@waylandjennings4073]

Thank you for another great video, Mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Wayland I appreciate it. mike

[@the.santos.lives.]

Great insight. Laughed pretty good about the American pen and Russian pencil. Thanks!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks More, Mike

[@h.b2029]

Excellent. Very helpful. Thanks. God bless.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks again, Mike

[@hdibart]

Thoughtful and wise;thanks.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Henry, mike

[@T.E.P.]

facinating ... reallly dig these examples you put together. hope you dont get tired of me commenting all the time. youtube is doin a great job putting your vids in the feed if i havent seen them yet. it's their fault.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Thor, I appreciate it, mike

[@reccocon3442]

Amen. Thank you Mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Recco, mike

[@D_J_R_S]

travel more! and do more of the "thing vs. thing". Thanks for the content!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Vegan, I appreciate it. mike

[@He1iconia]

Your videos are a national treasure, sir. Well done.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Megan, mike

[@sikkinixxmc]

Very interesting video. Thank you for making it

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks sikk, mike

[@paulh6467]

excellent video. Same story in Holland

[@MrMattumbo]

After a trip to DC I was wondering why we don't use granite curbs more, everything stone looked immaculate compared to where I live an hour away in Virginia. Also lived in Germany as a kid and remember the cobblestone roads being really cool, I was shocked at how well they held up considering it's just a bunch of rocks wedged together essentially.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks MrMat, I agree, Mike

[@abe230466]

I enjoy your bricklayer eye, the thing that more took my attention in Prague was the fine work in the pavements, km And km square meters of stone work!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Alfa, I agree, thanks, mike

[@ianpotts4935]

keep well and safe from Scotland. Love the videos. 👍

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Ian, Mike

[@johnhines541]

Top notch videos buddy, you are 100% right about not just being able to do the job, but waiting on inspectors and permits. A lot of that I imagine is the government trying to keep their backside covered because everybody is Lawsuit happy. Everything I do I try to do myself and I get a lot of ideas since I started watching your videos, thank you and keep them coming.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks John, I appreciate it. mike

[@arkansas1336]

John Hines --- I think 'Tort Reform' should be on our governments list of "get it done now".....oh I forgot, they don't get anything done....lol

[@danielgarner6708]

Thank you so much Mike. I love the philosophy. Your videos are so valuable to me. What do you think of polystyrene insulation under concrete/asphalt to prevent the ground heave frost damage? - it's not an idea I've just dreamt of, I believe it is done somewhere.

[@JohnJRoman-mk1ed]

That Russian Pencil vs American Pen story was great.! Thanks.! Keep them coming..!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks John, I heard its myth, but it makes the point, lol, mike

[@tonychand4789]

Great video. Thanks

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks tony, I appreciate it. mike

[@mississippi4589]

I loved the part with the Pen and the Pencil . I love the info.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mississippi, mike

[@pablovalencia6737]

Thanks a lot Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Pablo, Mike

[@simclardy5281]

great video.......again! keep up the great work. I just rewired a house and the old wires were still in good shape vs the new romex that was all chewed up by rodents. another example is fuses vs breakers. fuses are more reliable and "break" much faster than circuit breakers. new does not always equal quality. loved the tour! I know it's work to drag a camera around when you just want to chill and enjoy the scenery, but the videos are greatly appreciated.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Si, I heard that about fuses from some ppl guys also, I appreciate the comment, thanks mike

[@jk0897]

Si mclardy Thanks. More reason to keep my fuses.

[@arkansas1336]

Si mclardy --- The coatings/jackets for most new wiring system(s) are made from a 'vegetable' base oil...causing the rodent/pest attractions.

[@simclardy5281]

+arkansas13 I did not know that about the vegetable oil!

[@simclardy5281]

+otis08 just make sure you don't cheat the fuse size. you can buy irreversible sockets to set the fuse size. We still use fuses in industrial applications because they are like 6 times faster than breakers and that makes a big difference in some situations.

[@frank-to7lu]

Excellent, Mike. Used to be, if the Water Dept. arrived to fix a connection under the street in front of your house, the crew would as in your video, dig the hole with pick and shovel, repair the water pipe connection, and then they would fill the hole and repair the concrete surface themselves. Today, in my town, a contractor is hired to dig the hole, the Water Dept. workers fix the pipe connection, then contractors are hired to fill the hole and resurface with concrete. The contractor charges the town for labor and probably extra for a .supervisor, plus hourly rates for the backhoe and the dump truck, and a landfill fee for the stuff they ripped out. Also noticed that the contractors hired are usually good size, work all over the state, the region and some beyond that. So they have higher fixed costs and targets on profitability. The town sacrifices quality control, loses jobs and pays for planned obsolescence so all the companies involved can make their profitability targets.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks frank, I appreciate hearing that, it's probably very true, Mike

[@pastramichop]

Fantastic video.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Don , I appreciate it, mike

[@haze42082]

great video. I learned from it, thank you!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks BHayes, I appreciate it. mike

[@ingmar1107]

the simplicity of pavers is that the upkeep is incremental at low cost while maintaining an always new look and feel. I think the reason why so many sidewalks in our towns are degraded is twofold: 1) concrete is like teeth, you can fill new holes only so manytimes until you have nothing of the original structure left, and then it is just rubble; 2) at that point you have already lived with a degrading concrete slab for years, and it becomes a monumental and hard to afford expense to rip it up and put in all new concrete. So it gets put on the long bench. To go back to the pavers, even after decades there is no giant repair cost, just the incremental paver at a time. As you say, simple and cost effective for decades to come. (sorry for the dated comment, I am new to your channel that I enjoy very much!)

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks ingmar, very well said , thanks Mike

[@cliffprystie1]

Great Mike! Here in Kenora On. the city installed paver blocks on alot of downtown sidewalks. Then they had to relevel after a few years. Then all the blocks vanished and back to concrete slabs! wtf...

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Cliff, they got to go to Europe and learn to do it right, I agree thanks Mike

[@menopassini9348]

The city that I live in is starting to put in concrete paver parking lots. The pavers have a space between each paver for drainage. I own a small shopping center every year the parking lot is crack filled, seal coated and stripped. Every 15 yrs the blacktop is completely removed and replaced. I thinking about having it redone in dark thick concrete pavers next time. No more crack filling/seal coating and the strips would be tan pavers. If an area becomes worn I will just have a contractor reset those pavers. There wouldn't be a repair joint to seal and the repair would be invisible.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Meno, it is someting to look into, I would do a lot of look seeing, and some solid research to see what works in your area, I think pavers have a lot more class and are a lot more simple to fix, especially if they have the right amount of base under them, thanks mike

[@wolfy1987]

There's a historic town called New Castle in Delaware and while I was there I noticed all the sidewalks were this very old brick, and in many spots this brick was probably 200 years old. Wherever it needs fixing they just pull up the bricks, level the ground, then put them back. The curbs were granite like you mentioned, and the gutters were cobblestone and probably the same age as the sidewalks. Some of the roads in town even had the same historic cobblestone. As an aside the houses in this town were all brick, and the brick still looked new, even in cases where it was 300 years old.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Wolfy, and they will be there another couple hundred years, but they don't build that way anymore, thanks mike

[@michaeljfanoun7237]

Mike, like your simple but smart method. I have a patio which I put tile. Of course, I like in Florida and that’s is done all over. Now, can I put tile over the tile I have down. Thanks

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Michael, I could not say, I never did that, thanks Mike

[@ivettesantana4319]

Am doing this as our house entrance! I am not pouring anything either, rather do the pavers like you said. Thank you.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mike

[@robertthompson9455]

My hometown is Petersburg, Virginia. In the oldest section of town there are granite curb sections from 4 to 6 feet long. That took lot's of time to produce but those curb blocks have been there for 350 years.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Robert, very true, and they will be there 300 years more, thanks Mike

[@DaveyBlue32]

You wanna right upside down...use a freakin pencil!!! Love it! Old skool till the day I die!

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi David, some say it's a myth, but good story, thanks mike

[@Westbourne513]

If you ever get a chance to go to Amsterdam check out the curbs there. They have rounded notches that point in the same direction as motor traffic.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Brian, I would like to see it someday, mike

[@MD-cd7em]

LOL!! GREAT VIDEO MIKE.!.. YOU SEE THESE ENGINEERING BLUNDERS ACROSS THE TRADES!

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi M D, I do like a lot of the old school,, thanks mike

[@markchamberlain5693]

Hi Mike i have you ever done a video on a herringbone layout for a walkway or veneer. And thank you for sharing your talent i really enjoy your videos.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Mark, I haven't done a job like that in a while, but If I do I will post it. thanks mike

[@UnbeltedSundew]

In Israel they used to use limestone curbs but limestone is really too soft for the job and they now use precast concrete curb pieces. They also used to pave the sidewalks in limestone but it got worn away and very very slippery (especially going up a hill in winter), now they use cast paver bricks in most areas (or often they use asphalt as well). They don't use cast concrete for anything but buildings pretty much (concrete is relatively expensive over here).

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Unbelted, I been there, Israel is a much milder weather then here up north, but when the concrete starts falling apart they will regret it, thanks mike

[@seanmckinleylandscaping6358]

Brilliant video Mike you can see what the better option is pavers make more sense for a lot of reasons our streets in U.K and Ireland used to be filled with clay pavers or granite cobbles you don’t see so much of the clay mainly concrete pavers now it’s a shame as clay pavers retain the colour died concrete always fades. Keep the content company I’ve been binge watching 😁

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Sean, Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Sean,, Mike

[@robertward2286]

Great video. Hardscaping is the way to go.Thanks Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Robert, I appreciate it, Mike

[@linda_sue]

I absolutely love this video and the paver/cobblestone idea. I did catch myself goofing up the simplicity though. I imagined putting heating cables underneath so I wouldn't have to shovel the snow to avoid liability. I hate shoveling snow and always wish for heated steps, heated sidewalks, heated driveways. Heated pavers sounds pretty good to me!

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Linda, I got a better idea, a sailboat in florida, lol, mike

[@linda_sue]

@@MikeHaduck Hah!!!!! Definitely no shoveling snow there!

[@illestofdemall13]

@@MikeHaduck Come on by. I am in South Florida. Stay warm up there in PA. I was born is Syracuse, NY along with most of my other family but a lot of us ended up moving down here.

[@marbleman52]

Hey there, Mike. This is the 1st of your videos that I have watched..and I agree 100% with what you said about sidewalks. Ours look pitiful compared to Denmark's & Scandinavia and even China's. I have never seen sidewalks that are built for blind people....now that's a great idea.! And the repairability ( if that's even a word..Ha..! ) of their sidewalks is so common sensed that it really makes our way look silly. I will check out more of your videos...consider me subscribed..!!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Marbleman, I appreciate it. mike

[@Economivision]

Hahahaahahaaa!!! The response to the commenter said a whole lot and used no words. Great video, Mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Stock, mike

[@USNERDOC]

Great video ... really enjoyed your commentary!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks DOC, I appreciate it. mike

[@mikestante3923]

Hello from montreal,canada , i love your videos

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mike, mike

[@declinetoanswer5757]

The thing Mike didn't mention is Portland Cement Association. There's been a strong lobbying group for the use of cement since the early 1900's in the US. Their "contributions" (take that as you like) have helped ensure standards and codes encouraging or insisting on cement products in municipal projects. One of the most visible examples is the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. The commission responsible for construction had substantial representation from the region's cement suppliers, so cement was used for every major component in the airport. having one-sided terminals ensured more cement walls and taxiways. The shuttle trains run on rubber wheels in giant cement troughs. They've been rebuilding the 50 year-old runways and introducing asphalt to the infrastructure.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@redoktopus3047]

seeing as you were in china, i think it'd be fun to share a quote from chairman mao. "We must learn to do economic work from all who know how. No matter who they are, we must esteem them as teachers, learning from them respectfully and conscientiously. But we must not pretend to know what we do not know." seems like in china and sweden they took that to heart but here . . . i'm not so sure. great vid as always mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Red, Mike

[@patglenn7762]

Smart! I like the old school.

[@jamesleroy7752]

good job Mike. in your video paver driveway you poured concrete then put pavers. was that for the weight of the car? I ask because I'm going to put in a path to my wife's shed with pavers. was going to pour concrete then put pavers. simplicity, would I do best with a (washout) crushed concrete base and just run a line and put pavers right on there? here in Texas it doesn't freeze and I can get 12 yards of washout for $300 and I have a small backhoe so I can do the whole job in a couple of days. pouring the concrete, forms a couple of extra guys will be expensive. any advice on this?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi James , up here in the north we get frost 3 to 4 feet deep on average winters and it wrecks pavers in driveways and patios, In Texas it might be a whole different story, and up here it keeps out the weeds I would check with the locals in your case, I appreciate it. mike

[@chadmyers4432]

Right on!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Chad, I appreciate it, Mike

[@rogerscottcathey]

we have roads laid in the 1890s called Hassam concrete, lots of basalt chips in it, beautiful crowns curving down to gutter side, most have tar filling joints, but they are just fine. Elsewhere the city wanted to spend money so they laid asphalt that has to be replaced seems like every four years.

[@MikeHaduck]

hard to say, everywhere the weather is different, but I do like the old school sidewalks, thanks mike

[@chrisbouwhuis6039]

Love the video and your points here. I think you're spot on. I can see some wilderness activists getting mad if we were to go back to quarrying granite saying we're tearing the natural places up (but the same thing happens with concrete through gravel, etc). Anyway, this also reminded me of my experience living in PA for a handful of years...I love the beauty, some good remote untouched areas close by out of towns, and it has some great people, but a lot of the towns (and sidewalks, etc) are really dirty. Dirty, crumbly and weeds growing in, through and around the cracks that owners don't take care of. The old school is cleaner and better maintained, as your video demonstrates. There needs to be a larger scale documentary on this in America.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Chris I agree, thanks, mike

[@covemanTV]

Mike+ great video as always, thanks for doing this. Im a young mason in NJ, and love the tips, tricks and new (to me anyway) techniques. As for the video we seem to be the only ones who do it this way, everything in concrete. Not sure about Canada, they use a lot less road salt though. In older cities here (NJ, NY, PA) when the potholes are bad enough you can sometimes see the cobblestones underneath but they always put the blacktop back. We've paved over the solutions to our own problems. Not only does concrete and blacktop not last very long but practically 100% of rainwater runs right off it where it becomes somebody else's problem downstream. Preventable flooding happens every spring in NJ and I'm sure elsewhere. I've also seen the "lipped" stones for traction uphill in Italy. Chris + excellent idea for a documentary, Mike should be interviewed in it.

[@isaypop]

thank you

[@majorkonfuzion1007]

great videos, thanks Sr. Masonry rocks !

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks major, I appreciate it. mike

[@evanrocha5465]

Love the video Mike. Evan from Boston

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Evan, I appreciate it, like

[@brickbybric]

Mike interesting video in ireland local city , town and county councils have responsibility for sidewalks etc .private contractors can undertake public works but-they have to be appointed by a public body .Personally I'm not a fan of brick paving ,either concrete or stone in public areas because it sinks or heaves before to long in my experience . Hydraulically pressed concrete kerbs ( because among other things the low water content in the mix) last a really long time.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi bric, thanks mike

[@borntoserve1981]

I like pavers! Great video Mike!

[@rickjames4882]

Just found your channel. Really great info and thought provoking as well. I need to build a small sidewalk to go from my back porch to a new pool. Right at 10 ft., 24 inches wide. I don't think I can hand mix fast enough to do the whole thing. If I do it in sections how do I go about doing the second one and so on. For instance do I need to wait until it cures enough to pull the form off of the end and use that slab as the end of the form. The plan was to hire it out but I'm running out of money fast on the pool project! I've did enough smaller things that I can handle it but not sure about the details.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Rick, check out my videos, "how I pour a concrete slab,"Mike Haduck parts 1 to 4 they should give you some ideas, thanks mike

[@rickjames4882]

Thanks. I did watch them all. If I build a form for the whole length and then put in a cross board to do a section what will happen when I remove that board to pour the next section. I can't just butt it up against the cured concrete can I? Thanks for the videos, I'm sure I'll find what I need there somewhere.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Rick, there are lots of ways to look at it. I usually use plastic to cover the old one and the plastic serves as a buffer between the two, like I did on my videos "how I float finish concrete", you might get some ideas there, everyone has a different opinion for different jobs,,, I hope it helps thanks mike

[@rickjames4882]

Thanks.

[@VicsYard]

Mike, Might of commented before. Like things simple. Did some of your techniques the summer of 2017. Things are looking good here spring 2018. Winter kills everything. Vic

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks vic, I am glad if it keeps working out, mike

[@SilentSpawn]

great video :D ty

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@bittertruth6575]

Hi Mike. I'm in the UK. I had a look around my area after you mentioned it in this video and the other one about fixing the sidewalks and it seems the Council (local government) have started laying down tarmac (I think you guys in the US call it blacktop) even on the side walks now. I remember in the 80s/90s what used to happen was people would steal the pavers and sell them because they were so easy to lift during the night so the council got sick of replacing them and started laying down blacktop in certain areas. They must have found it worthwhile, because they started laying it down everywhere.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi bitter truth, I never heard that one, sad to see the good things disappear, thanks mike

[@bittertruth6575]

Yeah it is sad. The other thing with pavers was that in today's 'insurance claim culture', if there was a raised or damaged paver, where there was a chance to trip/fall, people would sue the council for injury (which in some cases it was genuine) but I think the Councils must have got sick of being sued.

[@mijemumijemu4466]

I don't know, seems to me that i see a lot of movement even in 2 years one thing i like is the gravel trick under cement seems to work good, I am not sure how many men and paver crews you would need to keep up with those sorts of sidewalks but it probably takes constant work instead of 1 stent that does fairly well for 15 to 20 years. I put in a stone patio on top of garden cloth with gravel around and it seems to hold up fairly well for the last couple years but I did add more pea pebbles to it after the first year and now I am considering putting a curb around it because it settles more and more and I think it needs to be contained.. The garden cloth is not stopping weeds from growing up through it either so that product is not very good but it does sort of help it to maintain its shape.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Mijemu, every situation is different, on paver patios I always use concrete under the paver but around swimming pools I use pea gravel or other ways, but every situation is different, thanks mike

[@swunt10]

nonsense, after Dresden was bombed to dust the entire city center was a big parking lot for half a century, same thing happened in Leipzig south of the city center, big parking lot, is still there. but the old sidewalks are still there, still looking ok. not like brand new but usable. all you would need for it to look brand new is a little maintenance every once in a while and the beauty of it is you can reuse most of the materials that are already there with only very little replacements needed.

[@darrenharlow3016]

hi mike here in England we have a lot of 3x2 stone paved sidewalks but slowly they are being torn up and replaced with tarmac best wishes

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Darren, too bad, the old school is very elegant. I think everything will end up black top sooner or later, thanks, mike

[@juicebox22a]

American business knows how to build obsolescence into their products. From Chevy & Ford to Concrete and Asphalt. If it's American, beware of the scam. Buyer beware. Thanks for always a great job Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi 1, nothing they build better today than a 67 Chevy, I agree, mike