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!
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you for sharing this!
@sdslim6929Ай бұрын
@@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.
@mickthomas5162Ай бұрын
You dry pour south of canada?
@TheGamingDoughnutАй бұрын
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.
@gary5172Ай бұрын
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.
@GloriaG1717Ай бұрын
Why didnt you use cinder blocks as filler rather than using so much cement?
@easylawncare29 күн бұрын
To prove a point this way can be done all the way through.
@Theoisx20 күн бұрын
I was thinking the same. Put in pieces of larger rocks to with cement between
@chrisglenn2096Ай бұрын
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
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Love it!! Congrats Chris!!
@mattmoffet8790Ай бұрын
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?
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
In this video we actually showed a couple that did a dry pour driveway!
@93LT1RamAirАй бұрын
Curious, how many bags did it take?
@RossMalagarieАй бұрын
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"
@iasiarogers1257Ай бұрын
I love how you both didn't give the impression it would be EASY work.......but that it's ACHIEVABLE work! Well done!!!
@Cuz789Ай бұрын
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 😂
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
That’s so awesome!! 🫶❤️
@kizzynichols9433Ай бұрын
❤❤❤ yes please make the video about the forms.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Sounds good!
@AnaLivingLightАй бұрын
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
@bobtribeАй бұрын
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!
@samthompson1270Ай бұрын
You two truly ARE the Pioneers of Dry Pour Concrete. At least the first to really show us how to do it on KZfaq. Those turned out amazing just like your other projects.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you very much!
@sloanjackson817 сағат бұрын
I want updates over the years! I’ve dry poured quite a bit over the years and I’ve liked it so far!
@suzan1malАй бұрын
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.
@easylawncare29 күн бұрын
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. 😆
@funtimesusa619911 күн бұрын
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
@dlucks174Ай бұрын
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.
@karoliyer4860Ай бұрын
Yes a nice video on how to build the forms would be great….. thanks guys ….great job!🎉
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
You got it!
@swonsley245Ай бұрын
@@CajunCountryLivin Thank you so much for agreeing to do a video on building the forms! You Rock!
@swingarm2012Ай бұрын
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..
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Awesome!! So you can actually google concrete calculator. It’s the same amount as wet pour.
@darrengauthier1067Ай бұрын
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.
@amandahayes201515 күн бұрын
What a beautiful couple! ❤
@RossMalagarieАй бұрын
great project. The only thing is thanks for leaving the plywood back, its great to feed the termites. 🤣🤣👌👌
@iggymac3473Ай бұрын
Absolutely want to see how you made the steps love the video guys great work you guys are amazing !!!!!!!!!!
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Awesome!
@charleshutchings9355Ай бұрын
I never would have thought this would work. Thanks for showing the process. Very nice!
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thanks Charles!
@johnr3603Ай бұрын
Time will tell.
@johnr3603Ай бұрын
Luv it, this is the fun part,,let’s see how all these dry pours hold up in a few years mmm..
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Not a problem😘
@JstreamssrАй бұрын
Great seeing my favorite Cajun couple!! You guys are awesome!!
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you!!
@HOODSSWEETIE26 күн бұрын
I love your jean shorts, never seen anyone wear them so appropriately.
@HOODSSWEETIE26 күн бұрын
Love how y’all are so keen to detail that makes your projects perfect or near perfect at least. Well done.
@mmztimelordАй бұрын
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!
@steveniemyer9288Ай бұрын
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.
@soccerkills29 күн бұрын
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
@willied403128 күн бұрын
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.
@steveww0726 күн бұрын
yard and a half was 675 here 10 years ago.
@ShaunT-24 күн бұрын
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. 🤷🏼♂️
@CashCat77-qp6bs22 күн бұрын
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. 😊.
@michaelault3180Ай бұрын
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.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you! That would work!
@jillcarney4123Ай бұрын
Wow, that's a lot of bags of concrete. Great job. Thank you for the mention. We are so happy with our dry pour.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Our pleasure!
@allenchambers8092Ай бұрын
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!
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
😊😊😊
@domainjesterАй бұрын
I'm pretty convinced there's nothing you two won't tackle and accomplish. The best to you always
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you so much!
@marcusbell5996Ай бұрын
I'd love to see the form build!!! You guys are stinking amazing! Please keep the content coming!
@kirk467Ай бұрын
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! 🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙋🏼✌🏻✌🏻💯💯💯
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
You are so welcome! Have fun with your project!
@thomasfrugeАй бұрын
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!! 💖💖💛💛🥳🥳
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you so much Mr. Thomas! Very happy that you enjoyed it!
@spicynomadАй бұрын
the forms look prettier than just the bare concrete.
@VenturaITАй бұрын
full water curing can last an entire month and it will be stronger! motivational speaker too! love it!
@FLgirl0330Ай бұрын
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 ?
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you! No, we haven’t seen it yet. Hope it turned out great!
@amymock4534Ай бұрын
Love how you two work together! Thanks for teaching me!
@billybrad204Ай бұрын
Your last comments to the ending of this video was inspiring. Thank you.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you!
@flatworm00Ай бұрын
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.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you so much!
@nickolascrego5716Ай бұрын
Love the videos, but why don't you leave the pallet on the forks raised up to avoid bending and lifting?
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
What’s the fun in that?😂
@charleenjackson50922 күн бұрын
I would love to see how you built the forms! You give us all hope. Thank you.
@davidmiller1627Ай бұрын
That last comment was the epi center of the whole video. You guys rock the country and the country!
@dbhbb59Ай бұрын
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!!!!!
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
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.
@jerrypadron9428Ай бұрын
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. 🙂
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Y’all cooking? If so, sounds like a deal!😄
@MPTX-be8qqАй бұрын
@@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.
@joenewman649411 күн бұрын
Wow that turned out nice later y’all❤️😎🇺🇸
@charleenjackson50922 күн бұрын
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.
@BrianPhillipsRCАй бұрын
Great video! Thanks guys
@robinjoe8925Ай бұрын
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 ❤
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you Robin! Never doubt Jim 😘
@robinjoe8925Ай бұрын
@@CajunCountryLivin I always doubt Jims attire 😅 He should go Vin Diesel styles, with bike shorts for the ladies......ok may be not 🤣😂
@melindafuller802Ай бұрын
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
@bobhall5893Ай бұрын
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?
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
It’s how they wanted it to land. They wanted the steps to be slightly lower than their decking. 😊
@celesteredding1550Ай бұрын
That was a long process, back breaking process, skillful process tjat turned out beautifully 👏🏾👏🏾
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you!
@SuperTilemakerАй бұрын
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!
@ScottCooper136Ай бұрын
Absolutely would love to see a video on the making of the forms. I have a similar project that this would be perfect for.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Sure will!
@garynagle3093Ай бұрын
Wow. steps look great The dirt doctor will be so happy/!
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thanks Gary!!
@diggerdog9096Ай бұрын
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.
@glendasue70Ай бұрын
Good job you two. That looks Great 👍
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you!!
@country2coastalАй бұрын
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!
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
That sounds like a fun project!
@migrebel6891Ай бұрын
Nice job! Y'all make it look so simple.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thanks!
@samhnkyАй бұрын
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?
@un-commoncents2805Ай бұрын
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
@texassportingclays7996Ай бұрын
Id love to see how you built the forms.
@nickolascrego5716Ай бұрын
I like the bow affect on the front of the steps it looks nice that way.
@walsakaluk15847 күн бұрын
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?
@shantanarain2841Ай бұрын
I can't believe it I have only done fencing and smaller footings on dry pour damn looks good 👌
@mtstash16 күн бұрын
With the weight of the concrete should you have a compacted gravel base?
@susanleonard162129 күн бұрын
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.
@peggysizemore4207Ай бұрын
now you need to do a dry pour porch for your brother😊❤ hell of a nice job
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you Peggy!!
@kirk467Ай бұрын
Yeah, that cow panel is at least a 1/4” wire and strong! Plus I believe it’s galvanized dipped!👌🏻👍🏻👍🏻
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Yes!!
@stevenphilips683Ай бұрын
Watching you guy give me confidence to do my STEEP driveway in Austin tx.
@WasatchWheelerАй бұрын
Love it, get so many contractors telling me not to dry pour....
@lisabarajas1654Ай бұрын
Wow, just wow!
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
😆😁😄
@ld5714Ай бұрын
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.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you very much Mr. Larry! Always enjoy reading your encouraging words friend!
@Grandpa_RLP9 күн бұрын
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.
@harryhill-es5jkАй бұрын
Did you prepare the ground with stones and compression plate
@tammyyoung7262Ай бұрын
Wow, that’s looks great. it turned out soo awesome! 😊
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you Tammy!
@kimberlybailey7762Ай бұрын
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.
@reedera4Күн бұрын
I wish I could dry pour my patio, but I only have a little car and would probably only be able to haul 2 bags at a time 😂. It would take me over a month to get all the concrete I'd need 😢 I need one of those tissues!! Lol
@clarktasticstuff2856Ай бұрын
Question: what are your thoughts on just putting the bags down, unopened, then filling in the cracks with loose concrete material?
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Every bag would act as a barrier keeping them from making a permanent bond.
@michaelrogers4285Ай бұрын
I would like to see how you built the forms !! You both done a great looking set of steps 👍
@SuperTwinz142229 күн бұрын
I'm having trouble with the edging. It slightly looks crumbled on the sides, even when I used the edger. IDK
@kami6222Ай бұрын
Fantastic Job. I gotta say tho, I loved the wood still on it as well
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
It did look nice!
@davidburkhart9184Ай бұрын
I will take some of the tissues Jim still not dropping the hate for dry pour. lol have a blessed weekend
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
😂😂😂
@Bob_AdkinsАй бұрын
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!
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you!
@stevecarney6750Ай бұрын
What a great project, it came out great.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you Steve!
@bradmathewsАй бұрын
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.
@cbpuzzleАй бұрын
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.
@raymondrhorer269522 күн бұрын
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
@glimmermomma4373Ай бұрын
Nice set of steps!!! I need new ones too…
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Wish we could come do them for you!
@susanpeterson9558Ай бұрын
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.❤
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you Susan!
@marysenatore8856Ай бұрын
Another great dry pour video and we didn't even need Kleenex! Great job. Must feel good to help your brother
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Love it! Haha thanks!
@turnbooutdoors3008Ай бұрын
Great job but that made my back hurt LoL hope y'all have a bless day 👍👍
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thanks!
@marlenemccollum923516 күн бұрын
I think that’s fantastic
@Robertbush-s7t11 күн бұрын
Nice job
@azurewolfe8505Ай бұрын
I would definitely love to see a build video for your forms.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Sure will!
@haroldwarner8980Ай бұрын
Loved the tissues for all the criers! Nice work! Your brother and family will love it also.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
🤣😂😅
@keluargaganfais1027Ай бұрын
Nice good job y al make it look so simple..
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thanks a lot 😊
@funnyriverred2501Ай бұрын
Looks awesome! any concern on that plywood rotting on the back? I wonder if you could paint on a water barrier like they do in showers to keep that wood from absorbing moisture on any wood you are leaving in contact with the concrete? or is this just over thinking it?
@joqlady888Ай бұрын
Amazing job guys...lov from south alabama........MAKING CONCRETE STEPS GREAT AGAIN.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
Thank you!!! ❤️❤️
@johnkirby6547Ай бұрын
Nice job y'all did for uncle wags. I'm sure he loves it too.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
We hope so!
@scottcarlson551Ай бұрын
Looks great! Thinking of doing a couple projects myself. You factored in leaving plywood back there, was wondering about that when you did the pour.
@CajunCountryLivinАй бұрын
That’s great! We actually didn’t factor leaving the plywood. We put screws where we couldn’t get them out. 😬 oops! We know for the future!