I drove a concrete truck for my summer job when I was going to college. I pulled up to many job sites that poured steps. I didn't ever see one that size where they used pure concrete. I saw everything from hay bales to dirt used as filler for the steps. Some even used wood for the filler and sacrificed it. If you used rebar on every step level, and some vertical rebar on the sides, a good foot of concrete should be plenty, especially in a place where frost is not an issue, like it is here, two hundred miles south of Canada. If you are worried about strength, go 1.5 feet. It would have save your back and a lot of money. I have used your system on two patio slabs and it has worked great. keep up the good work!
@@CajunCountryLivin No Problem ---- also, I used a reciprocating saw as my vibrator for the sides. Take the blade out and put the foot on the forms ---- it might just help you avoid some of those rough spots you had. Works just like a concrete vibrator only from outside the forms.
Hay bales and wood as filler is about the shottiest work I’ve ever heard of 😂 (hay and wood rot for those that don’t know that’s a big no no leaveing anything that can rot under the pour as when it does the concrete will crack and sink) dirts fine if compacted that’s standard.
Okay...but what form was used to hold the hay, wood, dirt that did not rot over time. If the form is not made of concrete or brick...the guts would spill out over time from wood rot.
I did my 16'x24' house, same size screened in porch, and same size carport. My house is on 4 cinder blocks and porch is at the same height on 4x4 posts. I poured it 2" everywhere except where my truck drives on the carport. There its 3.5" thick. Took over 500, 80ib bags of concrete. I poured them in 4'x16' sections, over 2yrs. This year I pour my last slabs for a 12'x16' screened in porch addition in (3) slabs of 4'x16'x2"
Love it! Helped a friend do his driveway last year and there has been zero issues with it. Had a neighbor come by during the process and told us why it wouldn't work and there is now a dry poured walkway in his backyard 😂
I wish I could add photos I just did a 15 foot path with rock landscaping on sides, and steps thanks for making these videos. I had no idea I could do this at 46yrs young
I knew it was gonna be good with the tissue box! Y'all rock, dry pour saved me big time to do a couple AC pads... I tell people about it and they give me a hard time, I can only imagine what you get!
You two truly ARE the Pioneers of Dry Pour Concrete. At least the first to really show us how to do it on CZcams. Those turned out amazing just like your other projects.
Dry pour and wet pour both work great. Wet pour tends to be 25% stronger, less chipping, and just less issues all around, but if you know what your doing, dry pour works just fine. Good job all around on these steps
YES!! I would totally love to see a video on how you built the forms. We have some steps we have to replace, and I would love to try our hand at building our form and pouring ourselves.
It definitely works compared to a quote i got from a few companies fro. 7k to 13k cost me 2500, and i stained the color i wanted . Made the sides look like rock and was cheaper and better! Looks like old timers and hvac guys are starting to lose work. Welp its their fault for gouging so many people. Looks like old times is catching up. 😆
U guys are very likeable. That dramatically helps keeping the haters at Bay. Stairs turned out awesome. Am wondering if the core of the stairs will ever cure and if it even matters. Would love to see a 5-year follow-up video. Keep up the good work.
Jim I'd love to see how you built the forms. A video will be great.. I actually need to build a small step off the back of my home. This gives me more options. Great work as usually guys.. What may also be an interesting video is how you determine how many bags of concrete you need..
For anyone doing steps this large, I suggest a "Back-Cut" at 45 degrees to reduce the amount of concrete. You can add 6 or 8 inch tubes vertically for footer type supports at the rear. Probably would have saved you about half of the concrete. Also a front reverse stair stringer down the center line to keep the steps from bowing out as they did a little. Great job y'all!
Good job and innovative use of dry pour. I would have built a wedge shaped form maybe two feet in on all sides to create a void to reduce the amount of concrete needed.
That there was extremely educational and totally awesome dry pour video!! Great great Job Lydia and Jim!!! Y'all rock this project out of the park!! 👏👏👍👍🎉🎉 Looking forward to next video!! Excited to see what's next with upcoming projects. Finishing the house, the patio, the storage container barn, and maybe a fancy dog house build would be cool to see. 😁 So, enjoy seeing y'all what ever y'all come up with!! 💖💖💛💛🥳🥳
My husband and I love to watch y’all. Your little girl is an absolute angel. Keep doing what y’all do best. After watching your videos we are going to dry pour the slab for our cook shelter and I can’t wait until it’s complete. Much love and prayers Shirley aka Country 2 Coast!
Please help me understand the benefit to this (labor, costs, strength) because I just don’t see it. A pallet of concrete (45 80lb bags) is a yard. You had two pallets so two yards of concrete. Where I live a 90 bags of concrete delivered is close to $500, if I pick it up myself in 3-4 trips in my F150 I can get it for about $450. I can order a concrete truck with two yards of concrete for $300. So I can get a stronger set of stairs cheaper, quicker, better looking and easier. The form and the finishing is not much different than what you did. Again this makes zero sense to me.
Im with you but the cost where im from was 560 for the truck to drop it of we mixed with a drill mixer about 70 bags at 3.8 a 60lb bags so around 280 for the bags
I was wondering the same thing. I understand doing a dry pour especially if it would be difficult for a truck to get too. But if a truck is able to deliver it and pour easily the costs will be cheaper in the long run. Where I live at a yard of concrete is $125 a yard. Buying 42 bags of 80lbs a bag will cost $252 so twice the price.
I live in south Louisiana also. Concrete is right at $120/yard where I am and the companies won’t deliver only 2 yards. You have to order a full truck. That could be the reason or they just wanted to make a video showing it is possible to do it this way if you wanted too. 🤷🏼♂️
Bro, where do you live that you can get 2 Yards of concrete delivered for $300. In my area they won’t even start the truck for less than $1000 and you can’t only buy 2 yards because most of the trucks are 10 yard trucks. 😊.
I like the dry pour. Switch between dry pour and wet mix Depending on what finish I want. Dry pour for ramps, aprons and walkways perfect for a none slip courser finish. Wet mix for smooth finish when I am sliding around on my back to do auto and machinery work. A good coat of epoxy paint helps. You can dry pour and add an inch of wet mix on top which works well. Try different ways to see what you like best.
This is amazing!! You two should come to Texas and pour the driveway out on our ranch so that we dont have to use kleet anymore. Looking forward to more videos. 🙂
@@CajunCountryLivin If I would have known that I would have put off our deck(patio) pour and saved a lot. I think it would have been a pleasure for my wife, a Cajun twice removed, to have done some cooking for y'all.
I loved your ending comments. One of the greatest things I learned from my dad was to not be afraid to do a project. You can do the project as well as and many times better than a professional and the mistakes are your mistakes because you own it!
I’m thinking about doing a 4” small patio at my back door! I’m going to try this method! Thank you for sharing Lydia and Jim! 🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙋🏼✌🏻✌🏻💯💯💯
If you spray your form with an oil, can even use cooking spray, it helps the form release from the concrete. Also, something that heavy needs a packed base of gravel under it. If not, the steps will sink into the mud when it rains
Hi Jim and Lydia, I missed my Cajun family! I trust all is well with you both and Ladley ❤ We have had a lot of heat here in the Central Valley also - 105° - 112° for the past 3 weeks or so. But the big difference is we don't have the humidity like y'all do. This was a bold project, but I never doubted my Cajun family for a second. It turned out great! I was a bit off with my guess on the number of bags - I was at 107 bags. I'm sure you are still busy working with your elected officials and leaders trying to make a difference with Dashers Law. I'm sure the momentum you created is still going and encourage you to continue to fight the good fight. Jim and Lydia, you two have hearts of gold, kind and caring. I am honored and feel fortunate to feel as though you two are my friends 🤗 Have a blessed week and keep doing what you are doin'. Larry, Central Valley, Ca.
You convinced me. I've been looking at a slab project for 2 years and have been afraid to start due to not having mixers and helpers. I've been greatful for your videos and am presently cutting lumber for forms. I can certainly do dry pour by myself. Where can I find your water in schedules. They seem to be acceptable for success. Thank you for your time producing these videos!!!!!
I am not a hater nor am I crying but I am considering doing a dry pour slab in the 8x12 range for a cinder block swimming pool I plan to build. It will be half way in ground meaning it will be say 2ft below ground level and about the same amount above ground level. I have watched many of your videos and I have watched many others and I have seen some people do it like you and then cut it into and find that while it did get wet and set all the way thru it cracked and crumbled much easier than a wet pour. It did not seem to me like they were dry pour haters but were more hopeful that it would do great. The only thing that I noticed that might be different between what you do and what they did is a slight difference in watering it. They did mist and the sprinkle many times and then let it sit for a long time before removing the forms. This does not give me a good feeling about this way because if it works well enough to make me think it is good but then doesn't hold up after the water is added or begins to fail 3 years later it will be a very big loss of money and time plus the cost of demolition to get rid of it. Do you think that the way you water it is so critical that if you do it just a slight bit different it would make the concrete less strong or less durable? Thanks for all your videos.
Love the dry pour method! Just curious about that top step not meeting the wood decking. Will the wood decking be changed to meet the new top concrete step elevation?
The steps look impressive. I couldn’t wait to see the finished product ❤😮 I’m honest I had my doubts, but yeah they are really good ❤ until the next video ❤
That's quite the monolith. It's not the most efficient way but if you're happy with the result and the cost and you feel confident with the process then why not? Nice job. Where does the dog sleep now?
Beautiful set of steps! I was very nervous about pulling off the sides because I was afraid there would be uncured powder under the plywood! Never underestimate the curing power of Louisiana humidity!
The steps turned out so great, you guys! Not that we had any doubts! You have a way of taking intimidating tasks and breaking them down and showing us all how doable it really can be! I’m sure the dirt dr and his wife are VERY happy with their new staircase! It looks so great in front of their adorable porch! Thanks for another amazing video!
Could you use some cinder block under the rebar/metal panels to fill some of the space? Would it affect the integrity of the stairs? Love ❤️ your videos. So thorough and helpful to us folks with no building skills.
I'm a retired precast concrete manufacturer. Concrete is cheap compared to other products. It's not how much your pour, but how you pour it. The secret is in the mold. Build a step tread 1 1/2 x 12 x however long you have the ability to lift and set
I havent sent a photo of the dry pour project i did. I learned how to do it from you guys ans i did a 60ft walkway stamped with a cobblestone stamp. It came out amazing!
OK, I didn't hear it in this video and I've only watched a couple of your other videos on dry poor, so since I'm not seeing it in any of the comments... Would there not be a benefit laying a layer and then spray it with water, and then lay some more layers and spray again... building layer by layer?
The King and Queen of dry pour does it again. 😊 This one is going to be hard to top. 😊 I've seen so many other people that have done a dry pour project that stated they got their encouragement from you.. 😊 I'm glad you were able to do this for the Dirt Doctor. You know I'm going to be watching. So if you top this one I will see it 😊 Jim Nothing like having a chicken to pet while you're sawing wood. 😊 Glad to see you both doing okay.
So cool, I have been waiting for a step video. I need to have 2 steps made to the front door. I'd prefer concrete, but the price is way too much for me. Your video proves it can be done.❤
I am probably going to try a dry pour on my next backyard walkway project - I am not very good at concrete finishing by the look of the paths I have done so far. On the steps, I would love a follow up video that shows the back and a core drill to test the water penetration through the entire mass, but give it a full month first to be fair.
Well done Jim and Lydia, looks great and I'm sure your brother and sister in-law are very pleased with their new steos. How satisfying is it to be able to return help. ❤
Jim and Lydia, y'all have really out done y'all self's this that came out beautiful!! I love the way it came out, and it got water all the way, throw! Y'all are truly the dry pour king and queen 😉😉! Yes, that heat is draining. I know I am doing asphalt in this heat, so I know exactly what y'all are talking about! Just stay safe and drink plenty of water 💧! We will see y'all on the next one, friends ❤🙏🙏
It looks good! You both did a great job! Just wish there was a landing pad so they wouldn't have to walk through the dirt when at the bottom of the steps.
YAY!!!! Best birthday present ever!! The intro... YALL... Hilarious!! Question, It kinda looks like there is a slight bow in the steps. Is that just camera angle or did the weight of the concrete still bow the form a little? Either way, I think it turned out fantastic. I did see one huge mistake that I am hoping was caught and we just didnt see it on camera. I didnt see the little supervisor at ALL!! Im hoping she was just off camera and still supervising or else yall know these steps arent gonna hold up 😂😂 Jim, for those of us that havent ever really had to do this kinda stuff, I always find it interesting to see how you build things. I also love that you do a great job of explaining what you are doing and why. Thanks yall. Have a fantastic rest of the day!
Happy Birthday Bodie!!! I told Lydia when we were filming “I bet Ole Bodie will get a kick out of this intro”😂😂 Your eyes were not deceiving you about the bow in the steps. They liked the look of the slight bow so we used the thin strips of plywood for strong backs. It was an absolute bear trying to get them all to fall out correctly though. Kinda did it on the fly.
Well done! That's a solid installation. 😅 I was wondering how you're going to accomplish this. I had imagined that you would have had to have done it in layers in order to wet the concrete properly. Obviously that wasn't the case.
Another wonderful dry pour project. I would have done it a little differently. 1. I would have brought the level of the steps up to the top of the porch decking so you don't have that little, 1 5/8 trip step at the top. 2. I would have put in one extra step so the rise for each step was shorter. At age 72 I really appreciate the shorter steps.
Wow! Great video! Love the 'words of wisdom' at end - so very true! PS: No big deal, but I always fill up the middle of steps with brick , block, and rock scraps - seems to always work out and you use less concrete.
Just a thought, could you have used a small skid steer to empty the bags of concrete in and then transport it to the stairs? Should each tread have been a little longer? And I guess the bottom landing will be the next pour?
When I retire, there will be a shop in my back yard. It will need a slab. I've done a lot of research on dry pour versus wet pour. All the videos I watched concluded dry pour was inferior to wet. All the dry pours were crumbly. What I noticed was the lack of following a watering schedule. I will make one suggestion. Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive plate vibrator. Surely better than the hammer.
I poured 2" deep by 4'x16' slabs under my house, screened in porch, and on the edges of my carport with the area of my carport where my truck drives at 3.5" deep and it took about (20) 80ibs bags of cement per slab. My house is 16'x24' same as my porch same as my carport. The house and porch are on 4 cinder blocks. I would frame up a section on day, and on my way back from work I would go to Home Depot and get (12) 80ibs bags of concrete, then the next day I would put those bags on benches by the job site and go to Home Depot at 6am and get (12) more 80ibs bags of concrete and leave them in the back of my truck. I would get my mom and dad to help. I would pick up the bags and put them in the mixer, my dad would hold a board to hold the cement in a box as I poured, and my mom would fill 1 gallon jugs, old coffee containers, so I could just pour them in the mixer non stop. Pouring one slab took about 1hr from first bag to start of clean up. We did all 1200 square feet over 2yrs. Taking our time and not rushing and as money allowed. I think it was about 500 bags of 80ibs of concrete. This year we poured the last 3 slabs making a screened in porch addition which was 12'x16' so 3 slabs of 4'x16'x2". On the last 2 slabs I finally used a back brace at 44yrs old and yeah it definitely helps a ton Stop being stubborn and use a back brace for heavy lifting it will save your back and speed your recovery time.
Rather than waiting until the end to soak with water, would it not be "easier" to soak as you go? Fill a step and soak, you'd be less likely to have dry mix in the center of such a thick pour? Just a thought.
Why didnt you use cinder blocks as filler rather than using so much cement?
To prove a point this way can be done all the way through.
I was thinking the same. Put in pieces of larger rocks to with cement between
I drove a concrete truck for my summer job when I was going to college. I pulled up to many job sites that poured steps. I didn't ever see one that size where they used pure concrete. I saw everything from hay bales to dirt used as filler for the steps. Some even used wood for the filler and sacrificed it. If you used rebar on every step level, and some vertical rebar on the sides, a good foot of concrete should be plenty, especially in a place where frost is not an issue, like it is here, two hundred miles south of Canada. If you are worried about strength, go 1.5 feet. It would have save your back and a lot of money. I have used your system on two patio slabs and it has worked great. keep up the good work!
Thank you for sharing this!
@@CajunCountryLivin No Problem ---- also, I used a reciprocating saw as my vibrator for the sides. Take the blade out and put the foot on the forms ---- it might just help you avoid some of those rough spots you had. Works just like a concrete vibrator only from outside the forms.
You dry pour south of canada?
Hay bales and wood as filler is about the shottiest work I’ve ever heard of 😂 (hay and wood rot for those that don’t know that’s a big no no leaveing anything that can rot under the pour as when it does the concrete will crack and sink) dirts fine if compacted that’s standard.
Okay...but what form was used to hold the hay, wood, dirt that did not rot over time. If the form is not made of concrete or brick...the guts would spill out over time from wood rot.
LET’S GO!!!! I
Just poured my 16x20 concrete patio and I’m gonna need some of that tissue for the haters in my area! Turned out FANTASTIC
Love it!! Congrats Chris!!
Think I could dry pour an 8 foot extension on my driveway where the heavy ups and Amazon trucks short the corner and created a mud hole?
In this video we actually showed a couple that did a dry pour driveway!
Curious, how many bags did it take?
I did my 16'x24' house, same size screened in porch, and same size carport. My house is on 4 cinder blocks and porch is at the same height on 4x4 posts. I poured it 2" everywhere except where my truck drives on the carport. There its 3.5" thick. Took over 500, 80ib bags of concrete. I poured them in 4'x16' sections, over 2yrs. This year I pour my last slabs for a 12'x16' screened in porch addition in (3) slabs of 4'x16'x2"
I love how you both didn't give the impression it would be EASY work.......but that it's ACHIEVABLE work! Well done!!!
Love it! Helped a friend do his driveway last year and there has been zero issues with it. Had a neighbor come by during the process and told us why it wouldn't work and there is now a dry poured walkway in his backyard 😂
That’s so awesome!! 🫶❤️
I wish I could add photos I just did a 15 foot path with rock landscaping on sides, and steps thanks for making these videos. I had no idea I could do this at 46yrs young
I knew it was gonna be good with the tissue box! Y'all rock, dry pour saved me big time to do a couple AC pads... I tell people about it and they give me a hard time, I can only imagine what you get!
You two truly ARE the Pioneers of Dry Pour Concrete. At least the first to really show us how to do it on CZcams. Those turned out amazing just like your other projects.
Thank you very much!
❤❤❤ yes please make the video about the forms.
Sounds good!
Dry pour and wet pour both work great. Wet pour tends to be 25% stronger, less chipping, and just less issues all around, but if you know what your doing, dry pour works just fine. Good job all around on these steps
YES!! I would totally love to see a video on how you built the forms. We have some steps we have to replace, and I would love to try our hand at building our form and pouring ourselves.
It definitely works compared to a quote i got from a few companies fro. 7k to 13k cost me 2500, and i stained the color i wanted . Made the sides look like rock and was cheaper and better!
Looks like old timers and hvac guys are starting to lose work. Welp its their fault for gouging so many people. Looks like old times is catching up. 😆
U guys are very likeable. That dramatically helps keeping the haters at Bay. Stairs turned out awesome. Am wondering if the core of the stairs will ever cure and if it even matters. Would love to see a 5-year follow-up video. Keep up the good work.
Jim I'd love to see how you built the forms. A video will be great.. I actually need to build a small step off the back of my home. This gives me more options. Great work as usually guys.. What may also be an interesting video is how you determine how many bags of concrete you need..
Awesome!!
So you can actually google concrete calculator. It’s the same amount as wet pour.
Jim, would really like to see a video on the form making. I got some ideas to pour steps and sidewalk at my mother-n-laws. Loved the video.
Yes a nice video on how to build the forms would be great….. thanks guys ….great job!🎉
You got it!
@@CajunCountryLivin Thank you so much for agreeing to do a video on building the forms! You Rock!
For anyone doing steps this large, I suggest a "Back-Cut" at 45 degrees to reduce the amount of concrete. You can add 6 or 8 inch tubes vertically for footer type supports at the rear.
Probably would have saved you about half of the concrete. Also a front reverse stair stringer down the center line to keep the steps from bowing out as they did a little.
Great job y'all!
great project. The only thing is thanks for leaving the plywood back, its great to feed the termites. 🤣🤣👌👌
Absolutely want to see how you made the steps love the video guys great work you guys are amazing !!!!!!!!!!
Awesome!
I never would have thought this would work. Thanks for showing the process. Very nice!
Thanks Charles!
Time will tell.
Great seeing my favorite Cajun couple!! You guys are awesome!!
Thank you!!
Wow, that's a lot of bags of concrete. Great job. Thank you for the mention. We are so happy with our dry pour.
Our pleasure!
What a beautiful couple! ❤
Good job and innovative use of dry pour. I would have built a wedge shaped form maybe two feet in on all sides to create a void to reduce the amount of concrete needed.
Thank you! That would work!
Luv it, this is the fun part,,let’s see how all these dry pours hold up in a few years mmm..
Not a problem😘
That there was extremely educational and totally awesome dry pour video!! Great great Job Lydia and Jim!!! Y'all rock this project out of the park!!
👏👏👍👍🎉🎉
Looking forward to next video!! Excited to see what's next with upcoming projects. Finishing the house, the patio, the storage container barn, and maybe a fancy dog house build would be cool to see. 😁 So, enjoy seeing y'all what ever y'all come up with!! 💖💖💛💛🥳🥳
Thank you so much Mr. Thomas! Very happy that you enjoyed it!
I'm pretty convinced there's nothing you two won't tackle and accomplish. The best to you always
Thank you so much!
the forms look prettier than just the bare concrete.
My husband and I love to watch y’all. Your little girl is an absolute angel. Keep doing what y’all do best. After watching your videos we are going to dry pour the slab for our cook shelter and I can’t wait until it’s complete. Much love and prayers Shirley aka Country 2 Coast!
That sounds like a fun project!
Love how y’all are so keen to detail that makes your projects perfect or near perfect at least. Well done.
LOVE THE STEPS! They look fantastic! This was quite the project ! Did you guys see Jay and Jen did one huge 7.5 inch step recently ?
Thank you! No, we haven’t seen it yet. Hope it turned out great!
Please help me understand the benefit to this (labor, costs, strength) because I just don’t see it. A pallet of concrete (45 80lb bags) is a yard. You had two pallets so two yards of concrete. Where I live a 90 bags of concrete delivered is close to $500, if I pick it up myself in 3-4 trips in my F150 I can get it for about $450. I can order a concrete truck with two yards of concrete for $300. So I can get a stronger set of stairs cheaper, quicker, better looking and easier. The form and the finishing is not much different than what you did. Again this makes zero sense to me.
Im with you but the cost where im from was 560 for the truck to drop it of we mixed with a drill mixer about 70 bags at 3.8 a 60lb bags so around 280 for the bags
I was wondering the same thing. I understand doing a dry pour especially if it would be difficult for a truck to get too. But if a truck is able to deliver it and pour easily the costs will be cheaper in the long run. Where I live at a yard of concrete is $125 a yard. Buying 42 bags of 80lbs a bag will cost $252 so twice the price.
yard and a half was 675 here 10 years ago.
I live in south Louisiana also. Concrete is right at $120/yard where I am and the companies won’t deliver only 2 yards. You have to order a full truck. That could be the reason or they just wanted to make a video showing it is possible to do it this way if you wanted too. 🤷🏼♂️
Bro, where do you live that you can get 2 Yards of concrete delivered for $300. In my area they won’t even start the truck for less than $1000 and you can’t only buy 2 yards because most of the trucks are 10 yard trucks. 😊.
I like the dry pour. Switch between dry pour and wet mix Depending on what finish I want. Dry pour for ramps, aprons and walkways perfect for a none slip courser finish. Wet mix for smooth finish when I am sliding around on my back to do auto and machinery work. A good coat of epoxy paint helps. You can dry pour and add an inch of wet mix on top which works well. Try different ways to see what you like best.
This is amazing!! You two should come to Texas and pour the driveway out on our ranch so that we dont have to use kleet anymore. Looking forward to more videos. 🙂
Y’all cooking? If so, sounds like a deal!😄
@@CajunCountryLivin If I would have known that I would have put off our deck(patio) pour and saved a lot. I think it would have been a pleasure for my wife, a Cajun twice removed, to have done some cooking for y'all.
I loved your ending comments. One of the greatest things I learned from my dad was to not be afraid to do a project. You can do the project as well as and many times better than a professional and the mistakes are your mistakes because you own it!
😊😊😊
I’m thinking about doing a 4” small patio at my back door! I’m going to try this method! Thank you for sharing Lydia and Jim! 🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙋🏼✌🏻✌🏻💯💯💯
You are so welcome! Have fun with your project!
If you spray your form with an oil, can even use cooking spray, it helps the form release from the concrete. Also, something that heavy needs a packed base of gravel under it. If not, the steps will sink into the mud when it rains
full water curing can last an entire month and it will be stronger! motivational speaker too! love it!
Amazing job guys...lov from south alabama........MAKING CONCRETE STEPS GREAT AGAIN.
Thank you!!! ❤️❤️
Like your other pours, this one turned out super. Let the haters hate, this is a great project and a cool way of doing it.
Thank you so much!
I'd love to see the form build!!! You guys are stinking amazing! Please keep the content coming!
That last comment was the epi center of the whole video.
You guys rock the country and the country!
Your last comments to the ending of this video was inspiring. Thank you.
Thank you!
Hi Jim and Lydia, I missed my Cajun family! I trust all is well with you both and Ladley ❤ We have had a lot of heat here in the Central Valley also - 105° - 112° for the past 3 weeks or so. But the big difference is we don't have the humidity like y'all do. This was a bold project, but I never doubted my Cajun family for a second. It turned out great! I was a bit off with my guess on the number of bags - I was at 107 bags. I'm sure you are still busy working with your elected officials and leaders trying to make a difference with Dashers Law. I'm sure the momentum you created is still going and encourage you to continue to fight the good fight. Jim and Lydia, you two have hearts of gold, kind and caring. I am honored and feel fortunate to feel as though you two are my friends 🤗 Have a blessed week and keep doing what you are doin'. Larry, Central Valley, Ca.
Thank you very much Mr. Larry! Always enjoy reading your encouraging words friend!
You convinced me. I've been looking at a slab project for 2 years and have been afraid to start due to not having mixers and helpers. I've been greatful for your videos and am presently cutting lumber for forms. I can certainly do dry pour by myself. Where can I find your water in schedules. They seem to be acceptable for success. Thank you for your time producing these videos!!!!!
When you decide the size of slab that you are planning to pour and the thickness….. send us an email and we’ll send it to you.
Love the videos, but why don't you leave the pallet on the forks raised up to avoid bending and lifting?
What’s the fun in that?😂
Nice job! Y'all make it look so simple.
Thanks!
I am not a hater nor am I crying but I am considering doing a dry pour slab in the 8x12 range for a cinder block swimming pool I plan to build. It will be half way in ground meaning it will be say 2ft below ground level and about the same amount above ground level. I have watched many of your videos and I have watched many others and I have seen some people do it like you and then cut it into and find that while it did get wet and set all the way thru it cracked and crumbled much easier than a wet pour. It did not seem to me like they were dry pour haters but were more hopeful that it would do great. The only thing that I noticed that might be different between what you do and what they did is a slight difference in watering it. They did mist and the sprinkle many times and then let it sit for a long time before removing the forms. This does not give me a good feeling about this way because if it works well enough to make me think it is good but then doesn't hold up after the water is added or begins to fail 3 years later it will be a very big loss of money and time plus the cost of demolition to get rid of it. Do you think that the way you water it is so critical that if you do it just a slight bit different it would make the concrete less strong or less durable? Thanks for all your videos.
Love the dry pour method! Just curious about that top step not meeting the wood decking. Will the wood decking be changed to meet the new top concrete step elevation?
It’s how they wanted it to land. They wanted the steps to be slightly lower than their decking. 😊
The steps look impressive. I couldn’t wait to see the finished product ❤😮 I’m honest I had my doubts, but yeah they are really good ❤ until the next video ❤
Thank you Robin! Never doubt Jim 😘
@@CajunCountryLivin I always doubt Jims attire 😅 He should go Vin Diesel styles, with bike shorts for the ladies......ok may be not 🤣😂
That was a long process, back breaking process, skillful process tjat turned out beautifully 👏🏾👏🏾
Thank you!
Loved the tissues for all the criers! Nice work! Your brother and family will love it also.
🤣😂😅
I love your jean shorts, never seen anyone wear them so appropriately.
That's quite the monolith.
It's not the most efficient way but if you're happy with the result and the cost and you feel confident with the process then why not?
Nice job.
Where does the dog sleep now?
Beautiful set of steps! I was very nervous about pulling off the sides because I was afraid there would be uncured powder under the plywood! Never underestimate the curing power of Louisiana humidity!
Thank you!
I like the bow affect on the front of the steps it looks nice that way.
Love how you two work together! Thanks for teaching me!
The steps turned out so great, you guys! Not that we had any doubts! You have a way of taking intimidating tasks and breaking them down and showing us all how doable it really can be! I’m sure the dirt dr and his wife are VERY happy with their new staircase!
It looks so great in front of their adorable porch!
Thanks for another amazing video!
Thank y’all so much!!🫶❤️
Another great dry pour video and we didn't even need Kleenex! Great job. Must feel good to help your brother
Love it! Haha thanks!
Could you use some cinder block under the rebar/metal panels to fill some of the space? Would it affect the integrity of the stairs? Love ❤️ your videos. So thorough and helpful to us folks with no building skills.
I'm a retired precast concrete manufacturer. Concrete is cheap compared to other products. It's not how much your pour, but how you pour it. The secret is in the mold. Build a step tread 1 1/2 x 12 x however long you have the ability to lift and set
I havent sent a photo of the dry pour project i did. I learned how to do it from you guys ans i did a 60ft walkway stamped with a cobblestone stamp. It came out amazing!
OK, I didn't hear it in this video and I've only watched a couple of your other videos on dry poor, so since I'm not seeing it in any of the comments... Would there not be a benefit laying a layer and then spray it with water, and then lay some more layers and spray again... building layer by layer?
The King and Queen of dry pour does it again.
😊
This one is going to be hard to top.
😊
I've seen so many other people that have done a dry pour project that stated they got their encouragement from you..
😊
I'm glad you were able to do this for the Dirt Doctor.
You know I'm going to be watching.
So if you top this one I will see it
😊
Jim
Nothing like having a chicken to pet while you're sawing wood.
😊
Glad to see you both doing okay.
Thank you very much Mr. Jim! Ole’ Silvia the hen always has to come check on me when I’m working on something 😂
So cool, I have been waiting for a step video. I need to have 2 steps made to the front door. I'd prefer concrete, but the price is way too much for me. Your video proves it can be done.❤
Thank you Susan!
I am probably going to try a dry pour on my next backyard walkway project - I am not very good at concrete finishing by the look of the paths I have done so far. On the steps, I would love a follow up video that shows the back and a core drill to test the water penetration through the entire mass, but give it a full month first to be fair.
Well done Jim and Lydia, looks great and I'm sure your brother and sister in-law are very pleased with their new steos. How satisfying is it to be able to return help. ❤
We absolutely love doing things for other people! Wish that we could do it all the time!
Great job you two. I’m one of your Louisiana neighbors and have a few projects in the future. Yes please make the form plan.
Wow. steps look great The dirt doctor will be so happy/!
Thanks Gary!!
Wow that turned out nice later y’all❤️😎🇺🇸
Can't believe you don't use the rebar hack under an 80lb bag to pre cut it an make 2x 40lb bags. It's a lot less lifting.
Great video! Thanks guys
Yeah, that cow panel is at least a 1/4” wire and strong! Plus I believe it’s galvanized dipped!👌🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Yes!!
now you need to do a dry pour porch for your brother😊❤ hell of a nice job
Thank you Peggy!!
Love it, get so many contractors telling me not to dry pour....
Watching you guy give me confidence to do my STEEP driveway in Austin tx.
Jim and Lydia, y'all have really out done y'all self's this that came out beautiful!! I love the way it came out, and it got water all the way, throw! Y'all are truly the dry pour king and queen 😉😉! Yes, that heat is draining. I know I am doing asphalt in this heat, so I know exactly what y'all are talking about! Just stay safe and drink plenty of water 💧! We will see y'all on the next one, friends ❤🙏🙏
Thank you so much Cedric! Stay safe out there my friend! That’s an awful hot job for this time of the year!
@@CajunCountryLivin thanks!! Yeah it is but somebody got to do it 😉
It looks good! You both did a great job! Just wish there was a landing pad so they wouldn't have to walk through the dirt when at the bottom of the steps.
I would love to see how you built the forms! You give us all hope. Thank you.
That would have been a perfect opportunity to stamp with that alligator mold yall had.
Yes!!
YAY!!!! Best birthday present ever!! The intro... YALL... Hilarious!! Question, It kinda looks like there is a slight bow in the steps. Is that just camera angle or did the weight of the concrete still bow the form a little? Either way, I think it turned out fantastic. I did see one huge mistake that I am hoping was caught and we just didnt see it on camera. I didnt see the little supervisor at ALL!! Im hoping she was just off camera and still supervising or else yall know these steps arent gonna hold up 😂😂 Jim, for those of us that havent ever really had to do this kinda stuff, I always find it interesting to see how you build things. I also love that you do a great job of explaining what you are doing and why. Thanks yall. Have a fantastic rest of the day!
Happy Birthday Bodie!!! I told Lydia when we were filming “I bet Ole Bodie will get a kick out of this intro”😂😂 Your eyes were not deceiving you about the bow in the steps. They liked the look of the slight bow so we used the thin strips of plywood for strong backs. It was an absolute bear trying to get them all to fall out correctly though. Kinda did it on the fly.
Absolutely would love to see a video on the making of the forms. I have a similar project that this would be perfect for.
Sure will!
Well done! That's a solid installation. 😅
I was wondering how you're going to accomplish this. I had imagined that you would have had to have done it in layers in order to wet the concrete properly. Obviously that wasn't the case.
Thank you Delbert!
Question: what are your thoughts on just putting the bags down, unopened, then filling in the cracks with loose concrete material?
Every bag would act as a barrier keeping them from making a permanent bond.
I will take some of the tissues Jim still not dropping the hate for dry pour. lol have a blessed weekend
😂😂😂
very cool project during a HOT summer! I'll look forward to regular updates on how this is holding up. Man, that is a bunch of bags of 'crete.
Thanks for watching!
Wow, just wow!
😆😁😄
Another wonderful dry pour project. I would have done it a little differently.
1. I would have brought the level of the steps up to the top of the porch decking so you don't have that little, 1 5/8 trip step at the top.
2. I would have put in one extra step so the rise for each step was shorter. At age 72 I really appreciate the shorter steps.
Wow! Great video! Love the 'words of wisdom' at end - so very true! PS: No big deal, but I always fill up the middle of steps with brick , block, and rock scraps - seems to always work out and you use less concrete.
Thank you!
Good job you two. That looks Great 👍
Thank you!!
Great job but that made my back hurt LoL hope y'all have a bless day 👍👍
Thanks!
Looks fantastic! Why not complete the project with a dry pour slab around the steps!
That’s a good idea!!
Great Video! Did you wipe the boards with anything to allow the wood to release easily?
Nope! Just the raw wood!
Yes, I have 2 sets of steps I need to build and at a loss as how to get started a video would be so helpful
With the weight of the concrete should you have a compacted gravel base?
What a great project, it came out great.
Thank you Steve!
Just a thought, could you have used a small skid steer to empty the bags of concrete in and then transport it to the stairs? Should each tread have been a little longer? And I guess the bottom landing will be the next pour?
When I retire, there will be a shop in my back yard. It will need a slab. I've done a lot of research on dry pour versus wet pour. All the videos I watched concluded dry pour was inferior to wet. All the dry pours were crumbly. What I noticed was the lack of following a watering schedule. I will make one suggestion. Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive plate vibrator. Surely better than the hammer.
Fantastic Job. I gotta say tho, I loved the wood still on it as well
It did look nice!
I poured 2" deep by 4'x16' slabs under my house, screened in porch, and on the edges of my carport with the area of my carport where my truck drives at 3.5" deep and it took about (20) 80ibs bags of cement per slab. My house is 16'x24' same as my porch same as my carport. The house and porch are on 4 cinder blocks. I would frame up a section on day, and on my way back from work I would go to Home Depot and get (12) 80ibs bags of concrete, then the next day I would put those bags on benches by the job site and go to Home Depot at 6am and get (12) more 80ibs bags of concrete and leave them in the back of my truck. I would get my mom and dad to help. I would pick up the bags and put them in the mixer, my dad would hold a board to hold the cement in a box as I poured, and my mom would fill 1 gallon jugs, old coffee containers, so I could just pour them in the mixer non stop. Pouring one slab took about 1hr from first bag to start of clean up. We did all 1200 square feet over 2yrs. Taking our time and not rushing and as money allowed.
I think it was about 500 bags of 80ibs of concrete. This year we poured the last 3 slabs making a screened in porch addition which was 12'x16' so 3 slabs of 4'x16'x2". On the last 2 slabs I finally used a back brace at 44yrs old and yeah it definitely helps a ton
Stop being stubborn and use a back brace for heavy lifting it will save your back and speed your recovery time.
Rather than waiting until the end to soak with water, would it not be "easier" to soak as you go? Fill a step and soak, you'd be less likely to have dry mix in the center of such a thick pour? Just a thought.