UPDATE - Fixed Concrete driveway that was causing flooding

See the previous job here:
• New concrete driveway ...
See news story here:
www.wfmynews2....
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[@ncironhorse8367]

Shaun, you did the right thing for this lady. It's really a statement as to understanding what is right and what the customer experience is all about. I am happy to see that this homeowner got some justice in the end.

[@GCFD]

Same. What a crappy situation for everyone involved but it turned out pretty well.

[@b_lumenkraft]

I'm glad that lovely lady got at least some of her money back.

[@GCFD]

Same! I'm so glad

[@10lauset]

Cheers to doing a job correctly the first time saves a lot of grief and bad publicity. Confidence in showing a well done project shines.

[@ap-fr2uz]

I work in IT and agree it's a pain to fix an issue left by another. When the option is available I go scorched earth and rebuild.

[@GCFD]

It was a tough call to tear it all out but sooo worth it

[@josephj6521]

A p, we bought a fairly new 15 year old home and it’s amazing how many mistakes/failures the builders did. Slowly when we find an issue we fix it. Sometimes we find new issues when we fix one. I’d love to rebuild but it’s just too expensive especially on such a new home. I suppose every home has issues and we need to maintain them. Nothing lasts forever.

[@jnash5137]

Mr. Shawn, this job is an example for all contractors on how to treat the customers with respect and have a customer for life plus more business in return by telling the truth. Jeannette, Roll Tide Roll

[@GCFD]

Thank you 👍

[@stephenstyles1382]

Ill say it again shawn there isn't a lot of contractors out there with your honesty and conscience and professionalism . My hats of ro you and your workers

[@GCFD]

Thank you Stephen!

[@drk6067]

How you approach each job and the extensive thought process that's evident Shawn really sets you above the competition. The compassion you have to always do it right the first time and make your customers happy along the way is rare and for me, this is why watching you and your crew on KZbin is just so dang fun. Between your channel, Ryan with Victory Concrete and Ollie & Ratty jetting drains down under, I don't need cable any more.

[@GCFD]

thank you LE! A couple times we have ended up doing it right the second time. I have a big one coming up at some point. Keep watching! - Shawn

[@drk6067]

Nobody gets it right the first time always. But what sets you apart is that you will stay and make it right...not leave the customer high n dry. Well maybe low n wet haha. High n dry is what we want, RIGHT!

[@josephj6521]

@@drk6067 Shawn’s a champ. I’ve battled roof leaks for years and have had 3 contractors attempt to fix the issue but none of them had returned when our issue remained! I don’t understand that thinking? Sometimes it is trial & error or an honest mistake. I’m willing to work with contractors even if it means I need to pay additional. I just want things fixed and Shawn has shown he works well with his customers.

[@Connection-Lost]

That's the power of autism.

[@jvcyt298]

Back in the 1980s when I was a plumbers helper, my boss told me "do it the right way, or do it again", that was great advice that I never forgot.

[@DaddyBeanDaddyBean]

A friend says "you never have time to do it right, but you always find time to do it again".

[@GCFD]

Great advice! My saying is "if a job's worth doing, it's worth doing right"

[@matthewmcgraw5258]

Great job Shawn. 😀👍

[@GCFD]

Thank you Matthew! 👍

[@dustbat]

I noticed on side door where you built the step up that there was not a lot of over hang. I found out after building two nice sheds and having door rot out in a SHORT time, you need a cover. I chose awnings to stop that splash back. Glad you helped this wonderful Lady.

[@GCFD]

A nice awning would help protect the door for sure. Great idea Dust!

[@dustbat]

I learned this the hard way. The doors I put on that shed were special swing out double doors. They were supposed to be top quality and did not last. Same company made great improvements so I replaced them, 2 sets, not cheap for two sheds. A contractor put me on to the awnings and so far they are working great and look nice.

[@RyJones]

Good things come to good people!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Ry!

[@royordway9157]

Shawn, you did the right thing for Patti. I have seen jobs that were done half assed and had to be re done. I have electrician and plumbers that I'm friends with as well as building contractors who were called in to do a total re-work of the job, rip out what is there and start again. We all feel bad about the customer having to pay twice for a job. The scariest ones are when a homeowner calls in someone who isn't a licensed electrician to do work, but the "electrician" never said he wasn't licensed. That could result in someone getting hurt or dead. Homeowners, check out the prospective contractor. Are they licensed if required, insured and references? Ask your friends and neighbors, if you don't, that job could cost you 2 or 3 times what it should.

[@Losttoanyreason]

I remember the job where you had to replace the driveway there. What a mess you had to clean up from the previous contractor. This was a nice no stress addition by comparison , LOL.

[@shanewhite499]

Great job Shawn and crew. I know the homeowner is gonna be happy with her new driveway. It looks great. You and Harvey did a good deed for this lady.

[@vatren765]

I like your idea. redoing the concrete is the best for this scenario.

[@GCFD]

It was a tough decision but it had to be done. You can't stop water from flowing downhill and you don't want the house to be that downhill point.

[@vatren765]

@@GCFD right, and that takes away stress and worries for the homeowner and everyone else. You have a very good thought process to keep customers from sympathetic state. Keep up the good work man!

[@10tenman10]

I recall this project. It's looking very nice

[@GCFD]

Yes it has been a good one, and it's working well! No more problems in over a year.

[@mikereel117]

Nice to hear there was a happy ending.

[@Drew_peaballs_128]

How you treat your customers and approach your work is exactly how I approach mine after watching your videos I’m in excavation ( no drainage like you do) and just seeing the thought process and way you approach things had helped me so thanks for that Sean! Killing it like always

[@dsdmtom]

Absolutely right. You're hired to solve a problem, then you have to solve the problem. Just doing the work and walking away isn't a winning business strategy. I'm showing your videos to anyone wanting to go into business for themselves. Thank you!

[@EricB90]

Making the news for good reasons, nice job 👏

[@GCFD]

thank you Eric!

[@gregphillips24]

Good job Shawn.You brought peace of mind for this lady.

[@GCFD]

thank you Greg

[@xxxxcookiesxxxx5590]

The way you do business and your work is the best. You showing your work on Utube explaining what’s going on more contractors could learn from you.

[@larryehrlich57]

How about an equipment maintenance video on your various pieces of equipment...changing oil, servicing fluids, repairing equipment?

[@GCFD]

I have done a couple of those Larry but nothing lately. I need to get on it.

[@mfabah]

Sean, you do great work! Wish you were up in Massachusetts. I would hire you to fix my basement flooding in a heart beat.

[@crisprtalk6963]

Heck of a story Shawn. Well done.

[@sku32956]

Shawn you are a thinker you go the extra mile, I do enjoy your videos .

[@leslieclaire]

Okay so Hollywood needs to be calling Ray! Fascinating guy and that voice! 😁 That was a great follow up. Glad her home is back to being cozy and dry! Have a good weekend Shaun.

[@GCFD]

Haha yep Leslie! I'm going to be doing a crossover video on our scuba trip. It'll be the first time I have dove with Ray and he's a spearfisher too.

[@leslieclaire]

@@GCFD Great! Look forward to it!

[@DocteGaby]

It's a shame the news report just said "the old concrete was higher than the foundation" without explaining that the real problem was that it was sloping towards the house. They should have interviewed you Shawn to explain it properly! And also explain on TV that a cheaper channel drain would have helped, but not enough. I wouldn't be surprised if some viewers thought: "of course the 2d contractor said they had to rip up the concrete, they just saw $$$" which would be such a shame.

[@GCFD]

Great points Gaby! I was disappointed they didn't interview me too.

[@robertechols9094]

In the end you did the right thing It would have sucked to rip it all up but it needed to be done Happy customers is what feeds the soul Gotta keep them happy and you do that with good work and a good heart!

[@GCFD]

I agree Robert. It was a tough call to rip it all out but it really needed to get done correctly.

[@Pippy626]

Good work. Love the increased video quality over the years and love the videos. Hope you helped this family out on the price after being screwed over the first time

[@GCFD]

Yes we definitely helped her out on price! And I'm glad you noticed the videos - I have been working hard to make them better as this does not come naturally to me.

[@b00573d]

@@GCFD my computer is struggling playing it lol

[@joudatfd]

@@b00573d Yep, mine too. It's available in 2880p@60Hz only, for now. Hope there will be some with lower quality later ;)

[@joudatfd]

But it think, that "L O" did not mean higher resolution but production quality of videos ;)

[@jeremywilcox]

It seems to take a few hours before KZbin are able to make lower res availiable. I have to wait for the 1280 version.

[@tomgriffith1952]

You made the right call. Great work!

[@andrewjambo1]

You must take real satisfaction from this outcome, good job.

[@GCFD]

Yes this was an awesome job. The homeowner really wants to spread the word that it's not "just a driveway" and that improper installs can have horrible results as she had. Everything has been good for over a year. 👍

[@ronpeacock9939]

I can agree.. you fixed the problem rather than applied the band-aid... sad that happened, but that's why you have to take care when you do this work.. the previous guy didn't.

[@GCFD]

than you Ron!

[@Oklahoman-in6ph]

Nice job Shawn.👌

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@BDHO73]

What an awesome result. You’ve done good work.

[@AbdicateDotNet]

Shaun! You're a hero! Your work speaks to your ethics and just flat out doing the right thing! Thanks for sharing! Keep up the great work!

[@GCFD]

thank you!!

[@steverusie6986]

Wow great that she was able to get some of her money back. I guess she liked the work so much she asked you guys back for more work!

[@booyabob9063]

Awesome job Shawn and Harvey and his boys. A+ gentleman keeping it classy! At the end of the day you close your eyes knowing you maintain your honesty and integrity. Great videos I'm hooked.

[@GCFD]

thank you Bob! welcome to my channel!

[@randyriggs5463]

Nice job on the update. I can only imagine how she feels. So thankful that you helped her out instead of scamming her like others do. You will get more jobs by word of mouth!

[@danne77sthlm]

Thanks a million to showing us this, happy to see that she got help and with the story on the news, I hope she will live there happy for the rest of her life and get to enjoy the fruit of your work And wow, the ground was really hard there, that was a surprise! :)

[@GCFD]

Thank you for watching and commenting 👍 - Shawn

[@straight_to_finish]

Nice work! You’re like the Mike Holmes of drainage-do it right the first time. “Tear it out; Take it all down!”

[@GCFD]

Hahah I had to look him up 👍

[@gamking7987]

why can't I stop watching your videos??

[@tdimccullough]

if you had used a longer piece of wood along the front of the step you could have fitted the diagonal braces to the outside of the formwork leaving the top of the step clear for the trowel work and filling

[@logsie3918]

Fantastic article Shawn👌 and Another awesome result

[@stevencorley2352]

Great job Shawn. Thanks for the follow up. Nice to see integrity to do the job right wins over quick cash that doesn't actually fix the problem. Just as I have come to expect from Gate City.

[@GCFD]

Yep! My main goal is to solve the problem. If the HO asks me to do work that won't solve the problem or not solve the problem completely I will pass on the job.

[@derrick9635]

Good on this lady,would of liked yous named in the news ,kudos shaun 👍

[@GCFD]

👍 Thank you derrick

[@Stratos53100]

Turned out great though always a nightmare for the homeowner(s) when dealing with bad contractors etc & the extreme when getting the news involved, in the end satisfaction wins.

[@troychelin7719]

I really enjoy your videos, you have a good crew, tools and equipment our guys in South Africa have a lot to learn when it comes to good crews, equipment and tooling…

[@GCFD]

Thank you Troy!

[@ludditetechnologies]

Nice one. Good to see Ray Waits on the job. Hehehe.

[@GCFD]

He was telling me all these spearfishing stories (we are going out off the coast soon). 👍

[@chungate9085]

Shaun it's awesome to see and hear, video after video, the pride and integrity in you and your company's work. Thank you! Keep it up, you're one of the good guys out there.

[@ryanawilson8549]

That crook gave less than a 50% refund. Unbelievable.

[@GCFD]

I thought the same thing. He still walked away with thousands in his pocket.

[@ryanawilson8549]

@@GCFD exactly

[@tracyrain4941]

You, and all your 'Guys', are awesome! This is why someone will be a repeat customer because you are not the problem but can help to fix it...or say if you can't. That kind of honesty and integrity is hard to find. Still love all your vids, Shawn, and this update was great to hear. Tyfs this story. Maybe it'll help folks in the future pick better contractors.

[@TGSamantha091]

Go figure. You do outstanding work, check to see that it is working when raining, and customer loves the work done, so they call you for more work =)

[@GCFD]

Happens all the time Samantha 👍🤣

[@whip205inthebam3]

Shawn, WTG guys and gals Great Job 👍

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@skitzochik]

YOU sir are a ROCKSTAR !!!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Aamber!

[@nonsequitur807]

You need some ramps to raise front of mini bobcat to facilitate dumping into dump truck

[@dannycottrell4387]

Love the videos. Keep them coming.

[@GCFD]

thank you Danny

[@byronrobinson8633]

I was going to buy a bobcat mini skid steer but my dealership near me can’t even get any in. I was going to try toro and the same thing. I wish I had one like yours.

[@joeshmoe7789]

Just wondering why such a small stoop? Should be much wider than the width of the door. Going out further would be nice too.

[@GCFD]

that’s what she wanted because she had the same thing before and liked it.

[@edwardhartmann1798]

For what it's worth, there actually was another (much, much worse) option that didn't require replacing the old driveway. I have the unfortunate experience to know that it is entirely possible to misuse a concrete grinder to regrade concrete. As to why I know this, the short version is unsupervised concrete guys sloped FROM a 2" higher floor drain stub out for a new ADA bathroom in a commercial building. Since the new pour was properly rebar stitched to the existing foundation, the building inspector gave us two options. Either get full engineering plans and signoffs to cut out 18" past the ends of the rebar which was under a load bearing block wall, or "find another way." So yes, I learned that it is absolutely possible to regrade concrete without replacing it. It is an extremely slow, loud, and dusty hell, but it is possible. As a side note, sometimes it's better to just say no when friends ask for your help with construction projects...

[@GCFD]

Yikes Edward! That sounds awful!

[@rickb3078]

A clutch of videos from Shawn recently! Nice!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Rick! I've been trying to keep up for sure. 15+ more on the way...

[@theotherbrock787]

That was a good news story.

[@forthrightnight]

Enjoy the channel Shawn, but no rebar and such a thin pad?? I guess in doesn't freeze there and there won't be any heavy vehicles on the cement, so hopefully it'll last a long time without cracking.

[@ljbrandt500]

Shawn, I'm sure you've been asked this a million times, but how does one find a drainage expert contractor in their area. All I see around me are landscape companies who do drainage work as part of their service...no one does drainage as their main field of work

[@josephj6521]

I’m learning a lot from Shawn’s videos. If we ever get a contractor and need to solve a water problem, we should let them know that the land/concrete/paving must slope away from the home. If we cannot achieve a sufficient slope away, water pumps are the last resort.

[@dumptruckintruthduke]

Search for basement and/or foundation repair in your area

[@joeshmoe7789]

@@dumptruckintruthduke Be careful you don't get a guy that pushes french drains inside the basement without outside drainage repairs.

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Really good video Shaun,

[@vinnyhern]

Its a shame the news story didnt give you some free advertisement. Good Job, Yoda says " strong is pullout game with this one"....

[@GCFD]

Yea I thought so too Vince. But maybe they have a policy of not naming names? I don't know..

[@Tony-InLosAngeles]

It all comes around the good the bad and the ugly, one day somebody will get his turn.

[@tomswindler64]

Good job, keep it up 👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@nancyannirvin4507]

Great job and so glad she was able to get some money back. For whatever reason the video would not play in the browser so I downloaded it and watched. (just a fyi)

[@GCFD]

I published too quickly and youtube hasn't finished processing the lower res version yet.

[@nancyannirvin4507]

@@GCFD Another new thing learned. :)

[@dcwshoreline5416]

Shawn, what is your go to lead generation strategy? Do you ever go door knocking as well? Thanks for making these awesome videos!

[@GCFD]

Check out my 1000 sub special video to hear a little about it kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpLcqKmMr9isjpY

[@d.d.5633]

Imagine that cement truck going through a septic tank. 😮

[@GCFD]

I don’t think I want to imagine that D! yikes !!

[@d.d.5633]

@@GCFD The truck would become a permanent lawn fixture because you’d never get it out. 😁

[@whiskey5jda]

Everything your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. - Solomon

[@normfromhawaii1173]

The speed makes it jumpy to watch.

[@GCFD]

I published this video too quickly and youtube hasn't finished processing it yet.

[@michaelnaak]

I think it's great that you worry about the 1% of the time. You're not one of those guys who when four years later and there's a big rain, you'r telling the homeowner theres nothing you can do. The best guys are the ones who do it right from the beginning.

[@obviousness8113]

A homeowner can choose to do the job in such a way as to work 99% of the time. But a contractor can't (or shouldn't) because that 1% of the time that the fix doesn't work will stand out in the homeowners mind.

[@bradlewellen7461]

A 4 in 1 bucket would make it easier to dump into the truck from the mini

[@GCFD]

Yes for sure but I have decided against a 4-n-1. Andrew Camarata tried one and it was never seen again.

[@bradlewellen7461]

@@GCFD Let's dig 18 and Dirt Perfect have 4 in 1 and love them it's not for everyone. Keep up the great work and stay cool.

[@damnoldguy]

All of the "experts " saying do this or that aren't the ones putting their names and reputation on the line.

[@GCFD]

I placed my reputation on my repair, which is why I cut down the grade and re poured.

[@damnoldguy]

@@GCFD You sir are a man of integrity, and that's one of the reasons I'm a subscriber.

[@larryehrlich57]

I would have made that much wider away from the screen door...that's much too small when you are carrying groceries in to the house.

[@oermama]

Great job. What happens to the concrete when it rains before it’s all dry and hard?

[@cheskydivision]

For me, I would have preferred a curb at least along the neighbor side if not the top also.

[@GCFD]

Interesting point. I think that would look good.

[@ncvman]

Very nice. Why no rebar?

[@GCFD]

Rebar is not used in this part of NC for non structural pours. No bentonite here.

[@jasonpalmer1552]

Did something change with the way videos were uploaded this time? It only shows me 5k for quality but I'm not able to play that with my internet connection. Keeps stopping every 5-10 seconds to load. Love the channel!

[@GCFD]

Yea I hit publish too fast on this one Jason. KZbin has to finish processing the lower res versions. Sorry about that!

[@tristardiggin]

Curious what you have your gopro mounted on? A round looking device, wondering what that does for the gooro...

[@evillevill8706]

anyone can sit at a keyboard and say what should have been done but they aren't guaranteeing they job Shawn is . I've been watching his channel a long time and id agree with his decisions 100%

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I call them ArmChair Engineers. Sitting behind their keyboards like you said 😅

[@b_lumenkraft]

Cool, thanks for providing this update. Your camera in your studio at the end had an issue though. I think it tried to focus on the certificate in the middle of the picture instead of your face several times.

[@GCFD]

Yep! I finally figured out how to fix that. It's annoying for sure.

[@b_lumenkraft]

@@GCFD not too annoying. ;) Glad you found a fix! 👍🏽

[@larryehrlich57]

Picture a city water tower that's 150 feet tall and full of water. No pumps are needed to release that water because gravity will do the work. Now to obtain our water pressure, you must connect the downspout gutter directly to the sealed drain pipe. This will give the needed water pressure from the height advantage of the gutter water. This height advantage will allow gravity to do the work of moving the water. If your water pipe has a 3 foot terrain obstacle to clear, when you are connected to an 8 foot pipe full of rain water...this will give you a five foot advantage to force the water to flow over that 3 foot terrain obstacle. No pumps needed to move the water...just like the water towers found in rural towns.

[@keithfreitas2983]

Huh!

[@larryehrlich57]

@@keithfreitas2983 Sorry it was not clear. I hope this is easier to understand my point. Blue Sky's.

[@johnmcc1977]

Did the homeowner not get that cut off her driveway in the original video?

[@DigitalIP]

I cant remember what i said on that video, probably similar to what im gonna ask, but.. Instead of tearing the whole thing down wouldnt it have been possible to add a slope to the existing concrete with a slight concrete layer that would have angled the water away from the house? Granted it would still be above where it should have been.. but there has to be many cheaper ways to keeping water away that doesnt involve replacing the whole thing.. Not to say that Replacing it and it being PROPER from the start is a bad thing.. Like for example, isnt there some type of equipment that would allow you to slice a thin or so layer of concrete off to correct a grade?

[@GCFD]

I completely understand where you're coming from here. I went through the same thing. Another layer of concrete would leave the sill plate and siding below grade. This was a colossal disaster and the only solution I was willing to give was removing the grade to ensure the concrete sloped away from the house.

[@zoniyat8519]

If some special masonry saw existed that could get into the orientation required to cut thin slices parallel to the top of the concrete, then cutting it might work i just don’t think thats very feasible (all i can imagine are concrete chunks flying around everywhere at ridiculous speeds) the concrete would need to be resurfaced after as it would become very slippery after the cut. I really think shaun did whats best for the customer here in the long run, and i hope the homeowners don’t encounter any more flooding issues, especially after alll the hard work they put into the inside 😢

[@DigitalIP]

Yeah figured as much.. thx

[@elcheapo5302]

Nice work, Shawn. It's too bad the news crew didn't mention you being the one who saved the day...would have been great (and free!) advertisement!

[@GCFD]

That's what the homeowner and I both thought. I don't know why they didn't mention me?

[@hitman4499]

@@GCFD because they don't advertise for free. That's their whole business model.

[@Mark.Watson]

What is the purpose of the "pull out"? Guest parking?

[@GCFD]

yep! a little more room for guests and not block either car

[@racerx009]

The news station told the other contractor to fork over some money or he'd be wearing some... concrete shoes. 😉

[@GCFD]

Hahah! I can't believe he left her hanging like that instead of fixing his mistake.

[@nicholaschelala4868]

Ain't you supposed to use wire mesh when laying down concrete for driveways?

[@GCFD]

It depends on your local subsoils and climate.

[@standepain]

6:44 lol I wasn't paying attention and had another tab open and thought how the hell did I get the Muppets on. Dude sounds just like Dr Teeth.

[@dsdmtom]

Too bad this video only plays in 5K. Makes it impossible to watch on anything due to the time it takes to load. Video is very choppy compared to the audio, which is smooth. Wish multiple quality videos existed, like they used to.

[@GCFD]

I pushed publish too fast on this one. I usually wait a day or two for youtube to finish processing the lower res versions. Check back tomorrow and you should be good. Sorry about that tom

[@turbodeiseltruck]

Didn’t her old driveway do that and she didn’t want it like that anymore?

[@GCFD]

the original asphalt driveway didn’t have any problems but was cracking. the guy didn’t dig out for the new concrete and so it was higher than the house slab and sloping into the house.

[@stephenc2296]

According to code you needed to put a sub base under the concrete you just poured…

[@larryehrlich57]

We are so lucky to have record high GAS prices...thank you President Biden. I'm sure these record high gas prices will push the USA economy to record highs...or was it record lows???

[@GCFD]

Haha gas is at the bottom of the economy, so it will impact everything in a negative way

[@gagt5spd]

Is there anyway to watch in lower def? my computer cannot handle 5k and suprised to see no lower quality option. I know odd question to ask, also mobile data usage 5k is wild. (I usually watch in 360p to keep data use down)

[@StuartWoodwardJP]

Just click on the screen then, then click on the three dots in the top right hand corner, from there you can select Quality and choose any resolution that you like…

[@GCFD]

Hi Dave - I published this too soon. KZbin says they are finished processing, but I usually wait an extra day just to be sure. It should be finished later today.

[@gagt5spd]

@@StuartWoodwardJP I tried 5k was the only one available. But Sean replied that option will be available tomorrow.

[@209Control]

You can afford a lot on a fixed income out in that area.

[@1976Datsun]

2880p60...waiting for youtube.

[@GCFD]

My bad on that. I published too quickly.