Restoring A $7,000 Mansion: Removing The Basement Floor (Pt. 2)

My mansion needs a new basement. Today I am attempting to finish removing the old, broken basement floor. I jack hammer concrete, smash things with a sledge hammer, remove piles of concrete that are stacked halfway to the ceiling, attempt to keep the basement from flooding, operate heavy equipment, and play in the mud.
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[@HabitualButtonPusher]

Pro tip: If possible, always put a drain where ever you have the laundry room. If a hose fails or pump fails the water has a safe place to go without flooding your basement.

[@williamhyney9640]

Dude, I am a 60 year old ex dairy farmer,also owned a construction company that did a lot of everything from building concrete stave silos, also wood unidilla silos. Make sure that u let the guys know how some of us know how much hard work that they are doing, and it's not easy. I know how hard of work it is. GUYS... GREAT JOB!!!!!!

[@helenvoltaire4530]

Justin and Roman are beasts with the sledge hammers!

[@johnborn1600]

Like many people said before A complete basement shower/bathroom with washer dryer just for clean up after a dirty day on the farm is a great idea. No sense bringing farm chemicals into your living space. Keep up the great work

[@gopurdue02]

Disagree on washer/dryer. They are livign on the second floor who wants to move that stuff up/down every day?

[@johnborn1600]

@@gopurdue02 I meant a second washer/dryer just dedicated to farm related laundry, like many people had suggested earlier

[@maryexton7929]

​@@gopurdue02 Separate washer and dryer just for farm work clothes so that toxic chemicals are not introduced to other laundry or to living spaces upstairs. They have small children to protect.

[@shawnkelley3695]

@@gopurdue02 farm house - Speed Queen washer /dryer in a basement and family room washer/dryer ...👍

[@joshuawalls7102]

That's definitely a good idea

[@lrfox49]

I absolutely love Jason and Roman talking to us, it’s so worth the time watching. Roman has huge biceps !! Your home will be functional for a large family, it will be beautiful !!❤😊

[@springfling49]

Roman and Justin are great workers and do a much better job than construction companies that are in a hurry. They just want to finish up and move on to the next job. They dont treat the customer’s home like their own. Their work generally reflects that fact as well.

[@stanleynelson6041]

Hey Cole! I'm really enjoying your farming videos and your house construction/remodel videos. I don't know what you're paying Roman & Justin but you are certainly very lucky to have such GREAT friends! Please tell both of them they are great people and are very good at their jobs. Keep the videos coming!!!

[@MichelleS-Gamer]

We all know they are getting paid by the hour 😉😉😆

[@eddeetz493]

Rent a rock crusher and recycle the slab in place adding more field rocks. Build a pile of 3/4 minis and larger base stone for field culvert covers.

[@fastsetinthewest]

C'mon man!

[@onomatopoeia162003]

I have seen videos where cement gets chopped up and recycled :)

[@zacharyapple8526]

If you do this, be careful with crushed concrete. It can leech it's admixtures/flash/cement into the area around it.

[@karlmckinnell2635]

Yeah, they have skid loader attachment crushers.

[@eliezernegron333]

Rock crusher is the best way and for video go to Andrew camarata his videos of rock crusher are the best 😂😂😂😂👍👍👍

[@Uniackerepair]

Been building and renovating most of my life, (61 now), and I would suggest that you take care of the stairway foundation problem, and the remaining chimney bits, before you proceed with anything else. That way it is out of the way before you do any new work. I suspect that it could be more challenging than you think, and you and your crew don't need to have anything in the way that will slow down the foundation repair process.

[@dalegereaux1863]

So much progress ! That mini skid loader sure came in handy.

[@Burbankelly]

I used to think this house looked so huge but you three make it look so small with how you've torn it apart so fast and efficiently! That probably doesn't make any sense to anyone but me but I'm sticking to it! Haha!

[@adejohnston6831]

Cole always a happy chappy !

[@monachinn1576]

I can't wait to see what's under the stairs.

[@xroaddog934]

Maybe a POT of Gold waiting for him... I surely would pick up Metal Detecting if I owned that Property. Bound to find some OLD Coins around that property.🤓

[@lindahyles1331]

Me too

[@WilliamBoyd-iu9nu]

Giant Rats dead body's ???

[@williamniccum296]

@@WilliamBoyd-iu9nu Giant rats (movie Of Unknown Origin) and dead bodies.

[@maryexton7929]

​@@WilliamBoyd-iu9nu Yes, preferably long-dead. 😅

[@cyclingdana]

Good time to add a radon gas abatement system. Just a thought.

[@flyingeaglewoman8682]

Seeing the water heater reminded me of something. My neighbor recycled a hot water heater in to a gravel roller. He welded together a frame which included a hitch and filled the water heater with sand. Hooks it up behind his tractor and it compacts the gravel he has laid down on portions of his property. An excellent way to reuse an otherwise outdated water heater, plus it’s width provides wide coverage. Looks to be very successful for compacting gravel.

[@beverlysearles61]

Oh my Gosh Guys, this project has become quite larger than I could have imagined! You three are very talented and educated and making this look so easy! We all know this is very hard work! Congratulations again on your jobs well done!

[@shawnkelley3695]

....Bio Freeze [arms, backs.... Walmart and Amazon....(Walgreens and CVS pharmacies)]👍

[@agnesmcclelland6522]

Hi. Cole your skin is looking good since you have been working on the house, rather than working on the farm. Been following you for years you and your endeavours and family make me so happy. Lots of ❤from Scotland xxx

[@elizabethliska5377]

Cole, code where I live is a vapor barrier plastic liner in-between the rock and concrete. Sealed with tuck tape at the joints. Prevents the Radon gas and moisture from passing the the floor into the house.

[@LarcR]

That little Bobcat MT100 is fantastic. The more I see it operating, the more uses I can think of for one.

[@thirtynine3955]

I live in an apartment and have absolutely no need to ever use one but it looks like a lot of fun...so I want one...😂😂😂

[@pamelairvin3164]

Wish they could bring it onto the farm permanently. Many, many uses!!!

[@GrumpyFrogProduction]

wish Cole would stop calling it a Dingo nothing like a Dingo just a Bobcat knock off of a Dingo

[@richbowie76]

Cole gets a thumbs up before I even watch !

[@dalegereaux1863]

Always !

[@sandygraetz5166]

May be you should put a garage door in that basement so Nave can drive in under cover with the kiddos and groceries! I’m not sure what you have planned but for a mom it’s,ittle convenience that make so much difference! Great job to the three of you getting concrete out of basement!😊

[@SuperScooby70]

There's an addition being added to the house right outside that hole in the basement, including extending the basement beyond that wall. That hole will eventually be a connecting doorway from old to new

[@pamelairvin3164]

If I hadn't already known the plans for an addition, I would have been suggesting the same thing. Personally, I would love to see a separate shower/laundry for farm clothes to keep chemicals from the family closets. The basement is going to be nice...nicer than painted block walls and rough floors!!!!

[@Nas_Atlas]

Justin and Roman have got this. Always one more thing! Get those stairs out!

[@mikerhodeback9636]

Before the next step....if you need a bathroom in the basement, be sure to consult a plumber. I don't know what the plans are, but it is not easy to change after the slab is poured.

[@normacrawford1947]

I’m imaging a walk out basement where that ramp is. Don’t forget the elevator

[@dean9498]

Roman is a beast. He looks strong as an ox.

[@Robsav-yx6vi]

Agree . I wouldn’t want to Arm Wrestle him . I’d lose fast .

[@connieverbeck1110]

Just who I wanted to see!! Was starting to have withdrawals!! Just grateful to be taken along. Huge check mark on your to do list. I think Juston and Roman need a special bonus after this project is done. At least a t bone steak dinner!!👏👏👏👏❤️

[@CindysGems]

Since,,,, Momma CS’s Dad is in hospice. I hope he passes fast so he doesn’t have to suffer. Love & hugs sent to all of you ‼️‼️‼️

[@theelusive11]

Wow just wow! Jimmy Carter has been on Hospice for over a year and not suffering at all. I think you need to learn what hospice is for. It doesn’t mean you die today. My mom’s friend fired hospice twice and went on to live for many more years.

[@bobbyfisher6343]

I had no idea when you mentioned remodeling the house, that you were going to take it to these extremes!

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Going to be awesome when the demolition ends and construction begins.

[@marthabartel604]

The ramp can be angle to sides for drains, used concrete blocks for keeping sides built up, with gutter, rough surfaced and sump pump at bottom, with lip at the footer for ice. Grate yards away from this whole thing, in the melt it will be ugly. You will not be able to get enough drainage. Take thoughts from your graveling in the grain yards, to do this whole area.

[@Heavens-Humanaterian-Army]

Only 22 min after posting thats a new record woo hoo,love your work cole❤

[@joel530johnson2]

Since you have the floor all torn up, why not put in a french drain system that goes to a collection tub where you could put in a sump pump (if it is needed in the future). We bought a house that was like 50 years old, no water in the basement, until they did some ground work next door. All of a sudden I was getting gallons of water in the basement. THEN I had to put in a french drain system.

[@sallyhenrie8150]

Smart idea to leave that bit of foundation wall to keep water out.

[@stacycathey9115]

Thank you guys for the enjoyment of watching men use their muscles 😊 don't pull nothing in the process.

[@eddeetz493]

Put the wood boiler outside and under cover. Crazy not to use as a redundant heat source if plan A ever fails. With a new slab youll never regret not hearing blowers with radiant heat.

[@bethjordan8758]

I love watching someone who knows how to be effective. Some of the chateau renovation blogs are so painful to watch. 200 tons of gravel? Let’s move it by hand! Rebuild a four story chateau without a dingo or a man lift. Like I said, painful.

[@iamwhoiamd7056]

Wow, you truly have your work cut out for you all. Awesome awesome awesome video.

[@brabblemaster401]

You dont need rebar in a basement foundation. Its only to keep concrete from separating after it cracks. Basement floors are pinned between all the walls so they cant separate any. But the rock and plastic sheeting is needed in southern MN and northern Iowa for Radon reasons (not sure about your area of Iowa). Also little tip, put a drain in the laundry room and another next to the sump pump, slopped lower than the top of floor. When I pour a floor I usually drop the mechanical room one inch than the rest of the floor. So if the sump fails it has a drain and floor lower than the rest. Then you dont get water seeping up from pressure between the wall and slab

[@JackdeDuCoeur]

Don't forget Radon mitigation if you have it in your area.

[@Rosesullivan-nw4hi]

You should install a wood furnish. To back up your heating system.

[@toddpeterson2362]

The hours of hard work and materials are surely adding up, but the end result in my mind will be spectacular! Cole, your young family will be building memories from holidays and family time sooner than you think!

[@annettemiller1273]

This house is a huge project ! I had no idea that you were gonna have to rip up the basement, but then opening on the sidewall will help immensely. Once you get it draining properly. I bet you guys sleep really good at night. 👍🏻🥰

[@denniswray470]

What a tremendous change you guys have made in that basement fabulous to watch the progress you have made.

[@kenhart6330]

The rain certainly was persistently pouring down Cole. That my friend is the polite way of saying that the rain was peeing down. That was told to me by my father when I first started working in 1970 when I was fifteen years old.

[@zippitydoodah5693]

Great job, fellas!

[@alexgarza7486]

I really enjoy your videos and look forward to them as soon as possible. I like all of the work you’ve done it’s amazing. What three men can do that are hard workers. I can’t wait until the projects is done, but then I’ll be sad because I want another project to be done it’s so much fun watching you and your family. You’re two sons and wife everybody on your farm is so nice, God’s blessings

[@paulwho3444]

Amazing u guys when that house was built it was a site to see for 100 year the people that built it had something to be proud of u guys your children and there children can feel the same way. 200 year from now hopefully it still there godbless boys.

[@karengrammond8338]

Enjoyed watching another day on your huge restoration project. Rain or shine the work continues with your team of great guys.

[@pamelairvin3164]

Enjoying the demo process, especially the "meet it head-on and figure out the next step" aspect of the project. Your videographer is doing a tremendous job editing the footage and giving us the best of the best. Naturally, we all want new content every day...and twice as long...but someone has to sleep and eat!!!! Per the basement staircase: any way to make it wider in the rebuild? Perhaps the hole in the wall behind the staircase will give you some direction!!!! Blessings to all!

[@gammerr82]

Yeah, I completely agree. Don’t think I would add to. It is add some mins to base and go downi also do inter weeping as well as an exterior. This floor stays nice and dry and don’t forget rebar on pour

[@VABeachgirl-np8iw]

Roman, Justin and Cole must sleep well at night. Very hard work! ❤

[@karlreinke9653]

These guy’s are so fantastic. More than what I would deal with !

[@MikePagenkopf]

Everything is looking awesome good job everyone enjoy your day have fun be safe

[@constanceblair6625]

Its unbelievable the amount of work you 3 get done. Great video as usual.

[@prinzeugenvansovoyen732]

10:40 maybe use the concrete as erosion protection in the creek bed ? have a excavator smash them down into the creek

[@juliestenske1432]

When you get done this is going to be an even bigger mansion! Your videos are great. I love your energy!

[@bonniecushman909]

Doing a awesome job guys hard workers can't wait for that basement to be finished

[@beverlyb5144]

Great Job!! Hope you win at the next arm wrestling competition Cole. Roman I wish the best for your competition at the end of the year. Working on this house project I am sure has helped your biceps!! Juston - GREAT JOB - you were killing it with the sledge hammer!!!!😊

[@loriboyce942]

Can open. Worms everywhere. 😂

[@JamesJohnson-ps1ws]

Hi Cole, greetings from Oz! Hire a big exhaust fan!

[@ASHole71]

Dust in the fans on the underside of the laptop is very bad btw Make sure you backup your data somewhere

[@ILGuy2012]

You opened up a really huge can of worms with this reno project that has quickly become a money pit. It's interesting to watch how the 3 of you tackle and overcome all of the obstacles.

[@catbrat610]

I really love watching your remodel videos!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@genesiedenburg9798]

Keep up the great work men. 🇺🇲

[@georgefarning69]

Looking good, but I'm sure it's very exhausting work. Great thinking on the dingo!!

[@maureenbrophy7852]

Nothing I’m like breaking concrete 😢. You 3 guys aren the BEST👍👍👍👍👍

[@deannaoverstreet4146]

Thank you Cole! Really enjoy your videos! God bless your family!

[@The_Skinny_Cook]

HEY COLE! I might be overstating the obvious here, but I think that pouring new foundation walls for the house, I believe, would be beneficial for the overall integrity of the house. I know that you've mentioned that the foundation is over a hundred years old, so why replace it... Just looking at it, it seems to be good for its time, but if you are putting that kind of time, effort, and money into your family home, why not go one step further? Replace the basement foundation. Get a company (or do it yourselves) to raise, or slide I beams under the house,(it would make great content for your channel) and pour a new foundation and floor. This way it's solid and your foundation walls won't sink any further. Plus it won't smell musty anymore. Some suggestions from your Canadian neighbor, keep up the great work!

[@joannbirdsong583]

Don’t forget to leave a smooth surface with plenty of room for your boys to roller skate in the winter.

[@briansheerin1436]

Not sure if you’ve thought about it yet, as long as you’ve got the basement floor dug up, you may want to start planning on protecting from Radon. For your family’s health.

[@JeremyWiles-fc6qk]

Cole Take your squirrel cage fan out of your old furnace and put it in the window it will pull all of the fumes out of the basement you will have to take a extension cord and wire the fan in but it will definitely pull all of them fumes out

[@OOpSjm]

yup, but easier to just buy one at menards

[@howiefeltersnatcher]

Won’t push as much air 4 screws 3 wires 10 minutes top also free will take longer to drive to Menards

[@Eric_Olsen]

Pour concrete stairs into the basement, using hay bales as filler as needed and leave them in place get to what will be your floor level before you pour and pour the basement floor then stack hay bales and add forms and rebar and pull the stairs in that entrance to the first floor and see what’s underneath the entrance and fill that area with concrete.

[@ILGuy2012]

That could work, but since the addition is going on that side, they might need to extend the footings into that corner and fill in the wall with concrete blocks or poured concrete. It will be interesting to see what they do with the rubble stone foundation that I think will be exposed in the basement under the addition.

[@dalegereaux1863]

If there is a missing foundation wall where the stairs are, maybe it would be better to pour a set of concrete stairs going down to the basement. 🤔

[@guydaubenspeck9206]

LOL call you ought to keep that little dingo around there to clean up the bin floors and in between bins on the Ben site cute little rascal like that be pretty handy

[@CC-Rider4564]

I really enjoy these restoration videos! 👍🏼😁👍🏼

[@joshuawalls7102]

Shew man this project keeps getting bigger! It might get done by 2029 lol this house is gonna go from being known as the $7,000 mansion in the 1920's to the $700,000 mansion in the 2020's

[@bobbyfisher6343]

Can’t wait for construction, just Curious are these video’s bringing in a lot of viewers, I enjoy them!

[@tucobenedicto109]

Get a concrete crusher and the backhoe and reuse the rubble as stone and fill. I saw no rebarb. use fiberglass rebarb. real nice Cole!

[@torahexplorer]

If you guys put a box fan in the window - sealed around it, and sucked air in… EVERYTHING you do in there would be 10000 better

[@codyziemke8654]

no rebar in the basement floor!!!! great vids cole great job

[@alanmcgregor4909]

Need to get a flexible exhaust hose, like they have in automotive shops. For the dingo.

[@onamissionize]

It will be so nice when you finally get to the rebuild part, as always great job guys!

[@frankostrowski3151]

God bless your gentle rain , good for your harvest in the future, have you ever thought about growing hemp ?

[@hjvdb6829]

Good call digging out the soil to keep the rain out

[@DanMcGhee-gm1ji]

Cole, if you put the concrete in AFTER YOU’VE DRYWALLED THE UPSTAIRS YOU ARE GOING TO ADD PROBLEMS, curing concrete emits a lot of water vapor. Please consulta local drywall company

[@wraith204]

Make sure you pay those guys 💯🎯

[@terrig4750]

I think you better add two extra bedrooms for the guys for when they get put in the dog house at home they have put so much blood sweat and tears and body aches into helping Cole and his family those are friends I'd say stay whenever but just don't forget to go back home lol.

[@AllenPaulTrego]

New subscriber from. Sc. Been watching for a good while. You three are hard working young men. I’m a retired construction superintendent. Know about good men. The house is looking great. Thanks from Sc. Allen

[@JamesTrump-k2y]

I know what you're going through, I dropped a basement floor 14" with jack hammer, shovels and wheel borrows and some good friends. I did have a bobcat on the outside which was a big help. it only cost me a few cases of beer.

[@kizzmiaz]

Cole has embraced the short trouser. 😂

[@dalegereaux1863]

It's a lot easier to not get sunburned when you're working down in the basement. 😉

[@Jakethebear2021]

Thank you for another great video

[@dennislamers986]

Roman the new "Hauk Tuo" guy. 😂 man you guys love heavy work. Very impressive things happening . Great job guys.

[@MrLecar1]

So much enjoying this house Reno

[@TonyLeach-airguntech]

Hell of a job, superb channel content however, loving the build. You have an awesome team with you!

[@marthabartel604]

Pretty nice. Use the small fill to harden the drive way.

[@stumpy2816]

Great job fellas getting things done.👍👍

[@alexnew1651]

Hey guys love the channel long time follower. Just a thought you might want to lay plastic on top of sand then pour your slab. The plastic stops your slab from sucking up moisture from the ground.👍love the progress.

[@spideybrent]

Hello from Moosomin, Saskatchewan, Canada great videos thanks for sharing with all of us 😊

[@jamessclassicmovies4176]

If this guy worked as much as he talked, he'd have a brand-new house sitting there,great job to Roman , Justin...😀

[@patrickjernigan1025]

That's really cool 😎 glad you got that. Out of your way 😊