Our Concrete Piers Are NOT LEVEL... This is how we fixed them

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[@charlene5461]

Thanks Sam!! All day, trudging around, doing of all things, plumbing and ain't felt like I was worth a hill of beans! Then, while watching your video before supper, I WAS STILL HERE and you let me know I was worth spilling some beans on!! I instantly felt better and now my spilt beans way over weight my worthless hill of beans!!! 😃😆 Thanks for the pep me up and hope y'all have an amazingly blessed weekend! 🇺🇸💖

[@judycarter8199]

Awesome job on the concrete-at least you didn’t have more to be too low. I’m also glad you’ve decided to hire this build out. Y’all could have done it, but considering time and “wear and tear” to your bodies it was a wise decision.

[@mattsara2802]

I think it went great for your first time. So you spilled beans on us. What kind? Kidney beans, baked beans, pinto beans, green beans, Lima beans, fava beans, refried beans, coffee beans, or cocoa beans? Just curious 🧐

[@sam-and-angela]

For you guys, Great Northern Beans! :D

[@scottbyrd2157]

Greetings!! I’m sure you thought of this but didn’t say anything in the video. Was one of the piers too high as it would make those appear to low? Thanks for all you do and keep up the videos!

[@HalfAssHomestead]

Sam, I ordered a bunch of parts from McMaster-Carr for a CNC build. When I ran into problems getting things lined up, their engineers walked me through the whole process. Couldn't ask for a better company to work with, and the shipping was literally same day or overnight for almost everything.

[@ninabooker2904]

Sam, you are ‘THE WORD-OLOGIST’. No one invents better words than you, very impressive, Sir. ❤

[@bobr9689]

Are you going to put down landscape fabric first, to keep the weeds from growing up through the gravel? How are you going to keep the gravel from spilling out past the sides of the carport?

[@BigGuy8059]

That wasn't really a mistake. It's just how concrete piers work. String tends to sag in the middle, so a self-leveling laser would be better. It projects a level line on all your piers at once. Aluminum shims are perfect if they are going to build with aluminum. Treated lumber is good for shims under a wood frame. I built a solar array frame with those cardboard tubes. They had a 1 1/2" steel pipe frame with pipes sticking down into the forms, so the pier height did not matter. It was across a slope, so the forms were not even level. Just the top rails of the frame.

[@nellomichi6416]

What metals react with concrete? Nonferrous metals are frequently used In construction in contact with portland cement concrete. Metals such as cop. per, zinc, aluminum, and lead-and alloys containing these metals may be subject to corrosion when embedded or in surface contact with concretc.

[@joesmucker8012]

You should have used steel shims not aluminum, your going to have issues with dissimilar metals causing galvanic corrosion .

[@kindness5130]

Concrete forms turned out nice! Thanks for sharing your journey. Blessings.

[@jafleetwood9714]

Love watching all your new projects and how you always overcome the little imperfections. I myself am somewhat of a perfectionist so i appreciate you showing all those little solutions as well.

[@angelabowman6567]

My husband and I actually did that same thing we have an enclosed trailer we made into a camper and wanted to keep it more protected so we got a carport kit from Menards and put it on piers to raise the height. It works great we are talking about enclosing the sides next year.😊

[@emilasmith4279]

Totally cool on the aluminum squares. Didn’t know you could buy such a thing. The piers turned out really nice looking! You rock it as always Sam the Man. ❤❤❤

[@dper1112]

If you have a metal shop, or a friend with one, or access to a scrap yard, you'll already have some sheet metal lying around. But for people in rural locations, ordering it is convenient.

[@ninabooker2904]

I enjoy your real life adventures, mistakes and all. I know you watch Perkins Brothers and they have been building for years and are still learning from their mistakes. So don’t be too hard on yourselves, you are amazing and your boys are learning so much. Much love ❤ from Indiana

[@dalekrohse1871]

I wonder if your shim heights would have been different if you had run the line about an inch above the piers and then measure down to the surface of the concrete. What I saw might result in a high pier suggesting its next door neighbor appearing to be too low and needing a shim when it might not (or it might need a different amount of thickness). Good going!

[@leattaslone1800]

Great job Sam! I didn’t see anything wrong with the concrete bases. I’m so glad you’re getting it done.

[@connieverbeck1110]

W👀w!! I didn’t know you were having it built, after this part!! So wise, and time saving!👏👏👏👏👏👏🦋

[@lindagary7077]

Question. Is the piers before the ones you said were shorter, are they higher? I’ve done this a little different Run a line 1” above one pier and level from end to end. Then measure from the line down to the top of the pier

[@rickbarnett9729]

A Sam I have an idea maybe you all can do a video with Doug and his wife they going to be doing a renovation on a single side that would be good to OCD guys with there wives sitting there watching and shaking there heads lol

[@caesar1295]

I’ve been using McMaster-Carr for over 35 years great place for items you need for projects, tools, oversized wrench’s sockets, drill bits ect. Power tools and odd items your local hardware store’s don’t carry.

[@markholmes1346]

I knew you would figure out a good plan! Great work! Looking forward to seeing the structure! ✌🏼❤️🙏🏼

[@brendahogue5487]

May the lord bless and protect you and your family and working on the homestead

[@leahhyer9448]

Yes, McMaster-Carr is huge (Learned about them from my family's Electrical Contracting business.) The print catalog is at least twice as big as Grainger's..

[@EngineersHomestead]

I called it! Also, mcmaster carr was like our candy shop in engineering college on our senior projects. I still see it used on occasion at work in the diesel engine industry for special test needs (making fixtures...that one random oddball bolt you need).

[@ChristianandFamily]

Sam I would have told you that it's close enough. Piers tend to have issues and most everything has some wiggle room to allow for wonky-ness. Plus I did Versa-Tube installations at one point, I've seen worse. Even put them on top of block walls. Expect for looking like they are leaving a bar after midnight, they look fine.

[@janetkoball44]

Thanks Sam for a nice video. Il be waiting for your next visit.

[@darleneclark6098]

I'm sure it will all work out. Can't wait to see the finished product ❤

[@joefautz2351]

That's why you should vibrate the concrete while pouring, you can rent one from home Depot! For next time! And keep your string line up while you pour, pour and check ✅!

[@watahyahknow]

think the best way to go is build the entire carport about a nut height higher than the highest pier , wat you basicly do is drill holes in the piers and install treaded rods either with concrete ankors or chemical ankors and after drying run a nut down them than install the poles with the flanges on them and run up the nuts on the low piers untill the flanges are level and tighten them up with nuts from the top will allow you to get the structure level to withing 1/100 of an inch if youre able to measure it that close once the whole structure is standing you can wrap some packingtape around the piers and fill the gap up to the flange with some extra concrete if you feel like thats needed once youre going to enclose the sides of the polebarn youre probably going to build some short walls up to the height of the piers (might even lay down a slab inside the barn ) so you might do that at a later stage you mightve been able to pour the piers in a neat row if you used long lengths of wood conncting them together oh well shims work too , btw you might want to predrill the holes for the flanges in those shims that come with the polebarn as the builder likely dont have steel drills allso might want to paint them in sumting tar like as the concrete eats the aluminium if left exposed putting a shingle under the top and bottom probably work too

[@angelacross2216]

Smart solution. Looking forward to the rest of the story.

[@SciaticaDrums]

Thanks for the McMaster Carr linkage! I've used crusher run in the past. Now I prefer tar millings, if done right it will pack down like a tar driveway.

[@loulauer5853]

Dang skippy! I went to that website and could feel my credit card trying to pry itself out of my wallet. I had to close the webpage quickly before I went in the poor house... Also, too late for this project, but if you do concrete like this again sometime, take a palm sander (without sandpaper) and run it all along the outside of the tubes. The vibration will help settle the concrete, remove some air bubbles and perhaps help the leveling issue by reducing settlement.

[@sam-and-angela]

Oh yes.. that's a DANGEROUS site for sure!!! You're absolutely right on the concrete too. This project taught me the importance of vibration on pours to get the best results. The next project coming up will be done better with them. :)

[@loulauer5853]

@@sam-and-angela if you're not learning, you're not growing!

[@rubberdc]

for me , Beanz meanz heinz ....(spilling the beans )

[@deannaoverstreet4146]

Sam this is amazing! I can’t wait for this to be done! Thanks for sharing!

[@sam-and-angela]

So glad you enjoy it!

[@patshipp9195]

💖💖Love both your channels 💖💖👍👍

[@iwantosavemoney]

Am not go to point out the size of your hammer Sam am just going to say size does matter 😂 great job my friend

[@steveferguson1232]

I would think they will know how to fix when they construct Sam. My frien had a 30x52 metal building and slab was low in one place and he said they knew exactly what to do. It’s as if they expect some sort of un levelness. And they didn’t miss a beat

[@sam-and-angela]

Hope for the best, plan for the worst. :) I didn't want them showing up and saying "good enough" to just pass over the sections to get the job done. I want to ensure it's done right and spot on. :)

[@rubberdc]

Those plates you bought , I was going to suggest something similar and circular . A brilliant mind you have there Sam.

[@dannylg5707]

Good on you Sam. Always trying for perfection. I've seen some pretty flat slabs poured and when spot checked after curing, there are still high and low spots. I understand why you wanted yours perfect though seeing as you're having the contractors construct a carport frame on top of them. I wish you and your family the best.

[@sam-and-angela]

Thanks 👍

[@cherylsmith-bell6509]

Way cool to have such an easy solution. Good info! I know you can't wait to have it up and complete! Can't wait to see it!

[@dalecherry4044]

McMaster Carr has everything you don't know you need. I used to use them all the time.👍👍

[@billwarren8198]

Aren’t you putting a building up on those

[@JimG31547]

Exactly what I would have done.

[@leahr.2620]

Having the co. Build it for a little extra will be well worth it.

[@lindapeterson7166]

Hi Sam Angela & Boys,have a great week! 💕🌷💕

[@Rickshaw103]

Looking good Sam and Angala! the shims look like a good Idea too.

[@tobymeade3222]

❤ Good Morning Angela and Sam🌞🌅 Good Idea with leveling 👍

[@BigDreamsTinyBudget]

I just wanna say, thank you so much for titling our videos with what is actually in them instead of the current trend to do the click-baity titles. it makes it soooo much easier to go back and find how you did previous work on your mobile home :)

[@sam-and-angela]

I'm VERY happy to hear you and I are on the same page! I cannot stand the useless video titles either! Sure, there's some catchy words, but they all at least give an idea of what's in them. The other channels doing those videos drive me crazy. I don't watch them. LOL

[@BigDreamsTinyBudget]

@@sam-and-angela I stopped watching them. Super annoying to go back and try to find their video on plumbing or subfloor and have to scroll through all of those nonsense titles lol. I guess they don't realize the power a title can have

[@1quickgt]

Hopefully you did not go through Behrs Buildings....They were horrible to deal with, stole my deposit and I still did not get my carport...Nothing but a headache!!..Incredibly rude staff and salespeople...Lie after lie after lie!!....Hopefully yours goes much smoother...Looking forward to seeing more videos of it!!

[@Silent-G]

You need a bigger hammer my friend!

[@elainebuchka6533]

I Know NOTHING! But Sure Enjoy Watching!! I think You Always Get it Figured Out, Sam.. God Bless You All..Will be Watching for the Next One..

[@sandypratt8951]

❤️👍👍👍

[@thecrankyoldretiredlady5237]

This video is definitely on the level.

[@karencary3312]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lauradale4366]

It is such a blessing to watch your KZbin videos. And to see the love and respect you and your wife have for each other. God bless you and your loving family. The son helping with so many hard jobs is amazing.

[@sam-and-angela]

Thank you so much!

[@susanhollis5015]

😊❤

[@rayoliver7120]

I would have gone with stainless steel .... just because it don't break down like aluminum does..... You did good on the footers , concrete is a bear to work with

[@sam-and-angela]

I’m following the directions of the company and their engineers. Stainless would be very difficult to drill through for the anchors.

[@rayoliver7120]

@@sam-and-angela true it is but you only drill it once and out last aluminum by 10×

[@jimdelong949]

Thanks Sam An easy solution to a what seemed like a complex problem. Always enjoy the way you break things down as to how,and why you do projects. Excited about seeing the finished project. Stay safe

[@sam-and-angela]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@brentjohnson6654]

Another great video.

[@19Photographer76]

I'm sure you factored in how restrictive having end openings will be. Also, as I look at the layout, you'll only have the ability to use one entry...

[@rubberdc]

Good evening Sam, the music , great choice !

[@OHlookSHINYthing]

LOL...in that first minute when you were swingin' that hammer I actually flinched when it looked like it came near the camera.

[@sam-and-angela]

It must have came really close! I had no clue until I was editing the video!

[@therealcraigsutton2740]

Mr Sam They will say use washers to shim it up

[@networkedjustice]

This is the exact plan I independently devised for a metal carport foundation. Resources for information have been...frankly this is the first I've found. I can't wait to watch the rest of this projects videos now queued up in a playlist. Thank you for posting this information!!

[@ericjohnson1008]

Happy Tuesday. LOL

[@sirbob8963]

:)

[@kmdoer]

Each beam or post can be cut to length, no need for shims.

[@sam-and-angela]

The construction is such that a metal beam lays flat over top of all the concrete piers first... according to our Project Manager we're working with.

[@CajonLiving]

It seems like the carport would be a good place to mount solar panels.

[@sam-and-angela]

It's set up facing South for sure! All our buildings out here were lined up with a compass to face South. It's a picky thing of mine, but I'd always thought of solar too. That being said... solar is coming in the near future, but it will be a ground mount array (easier to inspect and keep clean with washes). That will go in front of my current workshop and the new one that I plan to build after the carport (hint of things to come on the channel). :)

[@Hosty_Tim]

Goooooood evening Sam & Angela & boys

[@CHomesteadBK]

great video

[@2MorMor]

KEEP ON KEEPING ON - Love watching ya'll

[@douglaswinze699]

Hello from Hutchinson Kansas. Check out life uncontained for their method of leveling concrete pillars

[@sharonromer6606]

I can't wait🤗

[@TheWisendorf]

Well you got it done, An A for effort. But can I suggest you buy your self a transit, a chheap one will work and you can solve many leveling situations in the future.

[@Lisa.Carroll]

Great job Sam! Did Angela approve? LOL Can"t wait till the next video.

[@TheWoodHaven]

didn't look bad to me. It looked well within tollerances, but I'm not a pole barnacollogist.

[@andrewgee241]

I don't understand what your design is. Are you laying the beams directly on the concrete? Typically you bolt a metal bracket to the concrete and then attach wooden posts to the brackets. That allows you to alter the height of the wooden posts so your beams or joists will be level.

[@darlenepreston8836]

Totally awesome- I enjoyed this video- thanks. 🙏👍🌻

[@pmartin6759]

👍👍👍👍👍👍♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@barnowl6807]

You will have corrosion problems with aluminum in contact with the concrete. Aluminum does not like an alkaline environment.

[@larrydickens9125]

Sam, why don't you just put down metal plate shims so you don't ever have to worry about them again?

[@yoshitakagoh4176]

Why your piers are not level is because you poured too much water. So, when concrete is dried, level line would be under original level.

[@larryfeeks6620]

I'm glad you're having it done. $400 is a bargain in my opinion. No outtakes?!! What's this world coming to?

[@jerrypin6740]

thank you for sharing with us Sam. Have a Blessed Day

[@rickbarnett9729]

Yea they can adjust there strapping they use. Any how I bet Angela said oh is him happy now lol

[@memecats5698]

Nobody’s gonna notice it except you because you built it so don’t worry.

[@soniadavies6220]

GREAT job, Sam, Angela, Elijah and Issac! I love your channel...God's blessings to you all!

[@dezfan]

That’s a great solution!👍🏼

[@thesplinteredfinger]

Sam I am in the same predicament for a carport. I have looked at all angles, good to know that built was as economical as the rest. I need a 24’ x 36’ for a car, truck and RV bus. Can you give me a ballpark of how much you paid so I can compare? My guess is $10-12K, am I close?

[@sam-and-angela]

Our 20x40 with 9’ sides, closed gable ends and the vertical roof style was right under $7k. Our footers and gravel have cost about $1,200. The company we are using is based in NC. Hope this helps!

[@jeanniealford4234]

How are the boys doing in school? I'd like to see you get more done but I know it takes alot longer than you'd hope.

[@jackie6582]

Happy it worked out for you👍

[@N_A_RLW]

Sometimes God will throw us curve spinney ball so we can show others how we over come and get the home run ⚾

[@paulinesmith61]

Hi Sam, your doing a great job! I have no doubt you will build a strong and sturdy carport.😊

[@MichaelPenland-xx7zm]

It's best to use three Guage Blocks. One on each end under the string and the other to Guage with so the higher ones don't raise the string.

[@teresae7235]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@glenschumannGlensWorkshop]

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[@sharonromer6606]

👍🔨❤

[@Jeff-dr9rc]

I thought aluminum and steel connect together causes severe corrosion

[@robertbankhead8661]

When running the string lines you should elevate the lines at the ends, usually I use a 2x4 to avoid the string being distorted by piers too high. Just curious if you did that.