The fact that the homeowner wasn’t too embarrassed to share what he’d done, AND that the professional was eager to learn from it is a pretty amazing thing to see. Kudos

A couple months ago I had a driveway slab poured. The guys did an amazing job. They told me to let it dry for a day before driving on it, and 4 days before parking on it. So I waited 7 days just to be sure. I didn't want something like this. So glad I waited.

I clicked this video thinking I was going to see a car flying through fresh concrete. I ended up watching the whole thing because your video was really well done and I found the information fascinating. I always appreciate learning about these kinds of things, even when I wasn’t looking for this information. Thanks for making great videos and sharing your stories. 👍🏻

I am in tears. Having done work like that as a 14-17 yo, I would just die on the spot to see my work messed up like that. You guys go over and above. Amazing!

I miss working with my dad. He had a concrete business and I would do exactly what your son is doing which is great to see. My dad was taken early from me by a drunk driver, so to see you and your son together it is awesome to see.

Wow, a contractor that is actually concerned about how things hold up in "the future" (drain pipe on solid ground). Thanks for being so good.

I've been in concrete a long time, and I just want to say you guys did a perfect job. Well done. You have the perfect personality for what it takes to be a successful contractor, which obviously you already are. I'm glad you mentioned about the concrete curing white. I think that made the owner feel better. Thanks for the video.

Thank you Dave and your amazing crew for explaining simply and demonstrating the entire process (from start to finish) of removing, pouring and finishing a cement driveway. Please continue to do more of these videos.

Much respect. Concrete is HARD work. Im a retired electrician and Ive done enough concrete to know that it should be left to professionals. Someone that takes the time to post his work like this is indeed a true professional.

This guy is worth every PENNY!!! I've got 30 yrs in construction and this is one of the most thorough concrete guys I've seen in A LONG TIME!!!

Actually liked the OLD DRIVE with the grass in the center.

My knees hurt just watching your guys work. Respect.

I’m actually stunned that a man of his age had no idea that he shouldn’t be walking around on his new driveway. I really am …

Don’t know much about this but it looks like the driveway is worth more than the house ! Good job

It is so nice to hear someone who is so knowledgeable about his profession, AND so willing to share that knowledge with others. It is obvious he loves his job!! I am 65yrs old, and I was basically mesmerized through the entire video. I doubt I will ever to apply what I learned, but that’s okay, because the joy is in the learning!

This brings back fond memories. 50+ years ago, I grew up in Detroit doing concrete and brick work with my father and brothers. I wish I had stayed in the business. Creating things with your hands is always rewarding. Plus, I wouldn't have the gut I now have from sitting at a desk!

I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to walk on wet concrete. Not sure if I’d want him to fly my plane. 😂

I think we all knew from Day 1 who Bob was - there he is, in the middle of what you're doing, just getting some other chores done. It came as no surprise that he couldn't keep off the concrete when you had gone home. You guys take such pride in your workmanship. Sure, Bob was light-hearted about it, but it still hurts you guys that a job you've taken such care over is ruined by Bob Fidget!

Nothing worse than a customer watching over you while your working.

“ Uh, Bob, what are all these foot prints in the concrete? .” Why am I watching this at 1:00 am? What is wrong with my life? LOL. Uh, our man Bob is not afraid of a drink ..and why is his house so tiny? 🏡

I'm a special inspector for commercial structures and I really appreciate your diligence to do it right for residential. Wish there more like you.

I figured he was a helicopter pilot judging by all the hovering he did at the job 😂

It’s so refreshing to watch people who are so committed to the quality of their craft. I wish you were in Minnesota so I could hire you for my upcoming project.

Irrigation guy here. The thin pipe is pressure rated pipe. Schedule pipe is same wall thickness. At 1" pvc sch 40 you just reduced the volume and pressure available to the system. Pressure rated pipe gets thicker the larger it gets. Schedule rated stays the same. You just reduced the interior diameter of the pipe significantly. Just FYI. Lots of concrete guys make the same mistake.

This is the training video for the owners to watch before they are left alone with fresh concrete.

I put down a lot of concrete in my 30yrs i appreciate everything you guys did 2 days ago i turned 22yrs old and 2nd year experience in concrete

It's beautiful to see crafts and tradesmen who take such pride in doing the work corrrectly. Thanks, Sir.

Bob’s a good man for being honest about what happened to the fresh pour.

Bob learned his lesson about fresh concrete. Now, he needs a couple of lessons about window air conditioners.

Did concrete work for about 30 years for my dad and 4 different uncles that all had concrete construction businesses. I know as far as my dad, we always told the homeowner 3 days before you drive on it. Me personally, I would probably feel a little more comfortable if they could wait a week, or so,but the 3 day thing was just my dad’s policy, ever since I first went to work for him as a kid, but when I think back, in all those years we never ever went back and replaced anything that cracked or got blemished as a result of them driving on it that early.

It’s amazing how many times you need to go over and over the spreading and smoothing of the cement. Very nice! Great to watch the process!

I love how he walks him through like "wow look what other stupid thing you did"🤣

Great job! Props to Bob for going on camera and owning his mistake! Good teaching moment for homeowners.

As a tile setter i always let people know to stay the heck off of the tiles but sometimes people dont listen! Great job and great video.

So great to see and hear a guy who is so good at his job. The expertise and knowledge that comes from experience. Great stuff.

I am puzzled. I can understand how the homeowner might have thought it was okay to walk on his newly poured drive but when he took a step or two and saw that he was leaving footprints, WHY would he continue walking the entire length of the drive? I'm glad this damage will sort itself out because if Odell had to redo any of this, I do NOT think the homeowner would have been very excited about paying to repair the damage, even though he is the one who caused that damage. It is extremely good news that the drive will still be okay.

I'm in New Zealand and I really appreciate the work you guys have done. You obviously take pride in your work. Then comes along the home-owner and Yes! Stuffs it up. We live in an instant world. Great work guys

Wow, you're a pro! Even as a serious DIY'er I would have never known and considered all those details you implemented.

One of my neighbors once made a concrete pour for a large garage extension for his property. After he was finished he went in to relax. So, his son and my brother and I thought it was totally cool to run back and forth across the freshly poured concrete. His son got a spanking and my brother and I were sent home. We were all about 5 years old. 😵‍💫

I'm pleasantly, amazed that the owner was so humble. A man of good character.

Love how the homeowner seems to be in their way constantly, gotta love people that have to ‘watch’ everything

Now that it's a year later I'd like to see a revisit to this driveway. I'd bet there's still plenty of signs of this helpful homeowner. 😁

Fascinating to see all the planning, work and skill that goes into a job like this.

I’m amazed at the amount of detail and craftsmanship that went into this! It’s far more than I would have ever imagined. Had no intention of watching the whole video, but it was surprisingly interesting.

Amazing work you fellas did. I had no idea how much work went into something like this. Very informative video and great editing too.

I worked for my family's concrete business for 42 yrs from 1973 - 2016. We did mostly new residential tracts and some small commercial. One morning in the 80's we poured the complete outside of a new home. I stopped there on my way home to strip it and there was a car on the driveway. It was the owner of the home. Boy was I mad, but by some miracle it didn't harm it at all I guess because it had been down long enough. I really miss it.

Reminds me of laying tile and asking clients not to walk on it till it's set. Come back the next day and have to rip up tiles where the client walked and reset my work. How many times this situation has arisen in 25 years is far too many to count! Nice job guys!

Man that homeowner really got being in the way down to the nines. I'm not in construction but it really bugs me seeing him in the way constantly.

I love how construction always has a corresponding material or technique to something in the kitchen. LOVE watching concrete work because it’s like frosting a cake. Warm asphalt when you pour a new driveway acts like brown sugar the way it slowly crumbles when it’s moved. Cool!

I really love how concrete forms, embodiment of strength & beauty! Whether just a driveway or entire buildings.

Amazing from both sides.. Good on the owner taking responsibility and not being too upset and keeping a cool head from both sides.

I have NO expertise in concrete, but really enjoyed watching this video! The amount of manpower and expertise needed is truly amazing. The way you presented the problem to the homeowner with respect was commendable. He got the message and there were no hard feelings. It is a real pleasure watching a video when the contractor is truly an EXPERT and proud of his talent. This is true no matter what the talent is. Thanks and good luck in your future projects. Electronic Guy in Colorado.

I love how the home owner said "I didn't know I wasn't supposed to walk on it." I would bet $1000 that you, personally told him to stay off of it.

wow man if i ever need this sorta work done i want someone even close to this good! you know the work and everything so well!

The owner was nonchalant about it. He even thanked you. Seemed like a perfect time to have thanked him for the banner as well.

I never would have believed that a video about laying down a concrete driveway could be so fascinating. You guys are true artists. Just one question, why do you brush and re-brush the concrete so much? A lot of times, the driveway looked done then someone would come along with a trowel or broom and do it again.

As a contractor my self I like the way your got the client to confess of his wrong doing on camera in case he changed his mind in the future.

As someone who did two 12x24' pours for my garage, I can personally attest that timelapsing the pour and screeding process makes it look easy. It is absolutely backbreaking work to level that initial pour with a 2x4. Out here in the desert, you have to do it ridiculously fast, as well.

A local guy did mine 26 x 50 and 5” thick driveway extension and I didn’t put a vehicle there for a month and I from day one sprayed water about 5 or 6 times for a week to make sure it will cure slowly and have plenty of humidity in the process(summer pour). I read so much about it and the slowly it cures the stronger it gets. It was also a 4500 psi with rock at the bottom and wire. I also applied a sealant after it was really dried and before putting anything on it. I have put some very heavy equipment there, looks like new. Key is Don’t be in a hurry to put something on it, let it dried properly.

This guy know what's he's doing and his crew is doing an unbelievable job!

I have done a great deal of concrete work and watch many a crew, but you guys are a class act. Nice job!

Doing concrete is definitely an art and requires attention to detail, like constant monitoring of slope. Much appreciation for the guys who do this!

Why am i sitting here watching concrete dry? Im not sure either, but im happy.

Love the way you explain the process , def shows you know wth your doing!!! awesome work as usual

I'm not a concrete guy, but you and your crew clearly are. Such professional work, wow! So for Me and for my customers I typically throw a couple 2" or 3" sch 40 pvc "chases" deep under driveways and sidewalks before they pour. One is for electrical conduits and low-voltage cables, the other is for water pipes, irrigation etc. You may never use them but they'll be there if you need 'em.

Kudos on doing a great job. I was a construction inspector (and previously a field and lab testing technician) and I've probably watched 100K cubic yards of concrete go into slabs...everything from 4" residential work to 18" slabs for parking aprons at a larger airport. It's nice seeing a conscientious contractor who cares about leaving a good product and makes sure things get done correctly.

On my driveway, a small cat wandered about on it when it was freshly poured, leaving an archeological signature that has lasted almost 40 years. We love them!

Great video and commentary. I love your meticulous approach and detailed explanations. Really outstanding. Also, great how respectful you were to the home owner after mistakes had happened. Cause after all, it is his driveway and he can do with it as he pleases. One question: I see a lot of troweling after the pour. You appear to go over the entire concrete at least 5 times with hand trowels. How many times do you typically hand trowel the same area? And what were to happen if you would only pour, float, then hand trowel once, and call it a day? Have never poured a driveway, just done minor concrete work, and curious. Keep up the great work and all the best.

Homeowner thought he'd help by being in the way, every minute of every day.

Last time I did a big pour, it was for a slab for my 30"x40' garage @6" deep. That cost me a little over $2300 back in the mid 90's. It was 5000 psi with fiber. Now I'm not sure the going rate of concrete nowadays, but it looks like he got the better end of the deal. Your work has a beyond Excellent. I would've been pissed if it were me when he walked on it!! Talk about LACK OF COMMON SENSE! Anyway no more freebies for him.

Great artistry! Most people are unaware of how much backbreaking labor + skill is "poured" into a simple flat looking slab.

Great customer and great contractor ! I hope younger generation will deliver this kind of craftsmanship.

*Dude was constantly in the way, Buddy learned a tough lesson. He's old enough to know better...*

I feel for you. As a General Contractor, just watching the time-lapse and noticing how much the owner appeared to be "getting in the way" reinforces why I try to stay away from residential remodels and stick to commercial work. Major "props" to you for your patience in dealing with this guy. When you questioned him at the end and he replied that"he didn't know to stay off the concrete", I thought things were going to get bad for you, but it looks like it worked out or you.

Just amazing, and the way it was narrated it was like listening to Morgan Freeman I am totally stress free now Thank you Sir ❤

Nice pour, the only thing I'd do different would be near the gas line. I'd have put some kind of soft expansion joint, like rubber, about a half inch thick. Just in case the drive way slab moves towards the gas line, it'll have some give and won't pressure against the slab. I've done massive metal buildings, where the upright beams are anchored to 4 ft. diameter sonnet tubes. Before the slab gets poured, I'd go around and wrap the sonnet tubes with 1/2 torch down roofing. Just something to prevent the slab from shifting the sonnet tubes. We're talking like 120+ truck slabs. The whole next day we'd have 3 walk behind diamond saws cutting joints. Like 8 acre buildings. Good lock!

Lesson learned for the contractor too "i hope". Never, ever let the customer do anything as a follow up to the concrete pouring. Contractor should always put in a few extra hours in the bid/estimate to cover anything required on the 1-2 days following the concrete pour. My dad was in the concrete business for over 40yrs. There was always the potential for screw ups caused by customer, neighbor, kid on bike or skateboard, delivery person parking or walking on the new concrete, vandalism, etc following the initial concrete pouring and customers sometimes try to blame the contractor for those problems (even in cases where the contractor had set up very obvious barricades to help prevent any damages). Therefore, it is always best for contractor, "immediately after the concrete pour", to provide written instruction/release statement to customer that they are "NOT" to do anything near or over the freshly poured concrete whatsoever that may result in any unwanted damage or problems" with the new concrete poured. In addition, customer must sign and date that written release. This protects the contractor in the event something goes wrong following the new concrete installation (re. I have seen alot in my 60 yr life. Contractors are often blamed when things go wrong. Gotta play it safe "especially in these crazy times we live in". Fyi only!!!

We’re in Pennsylvania, so it’s strange seeing new concrete be placed directly on compacted soil. Compacted aggregate is a necessity in the Pittsburgh area due to high clay contents in the soil. Great work!

I learned alot and given the circumstances your guys had to deal with , this turned out beautifully. Great job mem

Wow, that new driveway adds so much value to that house! Nice work.

Fascinating. I could not believe how many times you went over the surface after the initial pour. I'd always assumed it was pour, smooth out the surface one time, and let it dry

Before the homeowner ruined the driveway I was so frustrated at the way he helicoptered around the whole job process like watching everything your guys were doing ( sign of a know all )he was constantly in the way and inevitably ruined your normally great professional finish . Then when you had the video reveal of the footprints and water hose drag marks and said , what happened here ?, he says I walked on it but didn’t know I couldn’t , 100% my head blew

Mr. Odell handled this so well; what a professional he is.

I'm amazed at how many times you go over it with floats and trowels before the final finish is applied.

Watching Bob out there doing his thing in the same space and time when y’all were trying to do your thing…it doesn’t surprise me that he thought walking and dragging a hose across and curing driveway was perfectly fine. I guess you’ll have to type up instructions for “after care” and have your clients sign it to cover yourself from people that act without thinking.

Great job there! And great patience working around the owner and his dogs standing in the middle of the worksite 😅

This is professionalism at its finest. Great job start to finish! Its too bad the owner touched the concrete too early he was probably excited about the fresh concrete and it is important to leave it untouched... if a heavy rain is predicted the company could bring out some wet curing blanket to cover the driveway and prevent the rain from causing divots. Otherwise a light rain will not affect the fresh concrete too much. Some people want to DIY these kind of projects but what we see from this video is "It is better to leave it to the professionals".

Some people will never learn. Next time, tell the owner if he wants to use his freshly poured driveway to walk on his hands, this way he won't leave footprints.

I don’t know why KZfaq recommended this video, but I watched every last minute. 🤣 You and your team are artists in concrete. Thanks for sharing this job with us!

A few years ago I laid a driveway for an elderly couple opposite an extension I was building for another client. I didn't really charge them for the labour because I managed to fit it in while the scaffolders were at the other job. The concrete was poured and tamped then I floated it and though I say so myself it looked bloody good. That was Friday afternoon so imagine my reaction when as I pulled up across the road on Monday morning the old fella greeted me with the phrase "not impressed mate, in fact a blind donkey could've done better"! So I went straight round there to survey the horror myself and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was covered in footprints and it had deep weird marks all over it. Now, despite what the old duffer was saying I knew that there was no way I had left it like that so I said that I'd have to think about how it could be rectified and I'd pop round later in the day. When I walked round the back of the house opposite where I was building the extension I found the owner grinning like a Cheshire cat, "problems", he'd been watching the drama unfold across the street and he then told me that after I left on Friday he stood in his living room watching the stupid old git across the road grab a stiff broom and proceed to spend the next 3 hours scrubbing at it whilst his missus ran back and forth with buckets of water and mugs of tea. Furnished with this information i marched back across the road to confront said old git only to be told that I had obviously paid off his neighbour to lie for me and he was going to trading standards! At this point I told him to do whatever he wanted because as far as I was concerned he was a clown and now he had threatened me I wasn't going to have anything more to do with him. Over the next 2 years I built 3 more extensions on that little street so no one else took him seriously and about 5 years ago that bungalow was on rightmove so the next time I was close by I decided to take a look at the drive and it was still the same lol. So I guess the moral is "don't lay driveways for lying old gits"!

We walked on it the next day to sawcut it. I wet it every day for about a week. They told me I could park cars on it in 4 days, but I waited 7. We used fiber reinforcement, but no steel. We cut it in 8-foot squares and a few triangles. I watched them all day, every day, because I wanted to learn. I stayed out of their way and helped lift and carry here and there. Mine was about 33 yards, they told me. I had enough fall so no extra drains were needed.

About saw cutting........ I learned a trick from an old Italian concrete guy on a bridge construction job back in the '80s and have placed a few drives for friends using this technique and NEVER had any issues, EVER, without a saw, and this is in the PA mountains where freeze/thaw is a killer. I'll try to explain. On your forms you place two (2) marks on each side, one at the center of where you want the joints and one at a location next to it that is 1/2 the width of your deep center edger. During the pour, as soon as you've run your screed a foot or two beyond each joint, lay a straight edge on the the first mark and using a pointed brick or masonry trowel, cut the slab with a sawing motion as deep as you can (or like) for a few feet then slide the trowel back and forth a few times until it slides freely and continue this along the entire length of the straight edge. Once all the way across move the straight edge to the second mark putting the edger directly over where you just cut with the trowel, and run the center edger along it, After bull floating make a 'clean-up pass with the edger. By cutting the wet mud with a trowel you eliminate (what's referred to in concrete design) 'aggregate interlock' so instead of the aggregate forming a coherent mass under the joint, it is separated by the trowel, creating a weak line of only cement that can be far deeper than you'd want to saw cut. It's like placing your hands in front of you with fingers meshed then making 2 fists and placing them together. As long as the edger is over that line it's perfect. No coming back in a day or 2 to saw. No spalling, plus a neat 'edged' joint that people prefer. Try it on a 'sidewalk job' and you'll see. It's life changing...... and fast......and it works. And depending on the radius of the top of the edger, you can seal it with silicone, butyl rubber, or other joint sealer the same day. And DIY guys reading this there's no need to rent a saw or buy a diamond blade. One thing to add: because of the temp extremes here most drives are 6" thick with mesh 2" from the bottom, so dropping a 3' section of #5 or #6 rebar every 15" or so across the joint (plastic or felt paper on half to allow sliding) keeps joints the same height no matter how bad the winter.

Wow, I had no idea how much work went into perfecting the surface after the concrete is poured. I really enjoyed the whole process along with the narration. I am curious to know what it looks like fully dry and whether the marks remained at all. Keep up the great work, much love from Canada!

Sometimes you can’t give the owners enough info. No matter what you do or say, they will try to put their “touch” on the project! The owner is just lucky that what he did was superficial.

You did a fantastic job on the driveway. I feel like he definitely got the better end of the deal. And I want to say I can’t believe he went and did that but honestly, I have had customers do some of the dumbest stuff. I will go in and hang drywall and do finish work and come back the next day and I always see somebody’s thumb print and little indents. They just have to go up and touch the wall mud. Arraaahh!!

Very nice work 👏👏✌️ driveway looks awesome! I was kinda surprised that the homeowner was tap dancing on the new driveway so fast ! Thank goodness it all worked out ✌️😂

I love the look of cut concrete over using expansion joints. I had my patio 15x40 poured solid, brushed and cut the same way, except mine is boarded with Toffee/Onyx pavers. I absolutely love the look and to this day anyone that comes over always says how nice it looks compared to a standard finish.

Nice to know you went through all that work making it perfect just to have it ruined in a few minutes.

A favorite picture of a fresh concrete pour was tiny paw prints of a pet and the owners left it. Loved that. Front sidewalk

That one of the most interesting videos I’ve watched for quite some time, a totally professional crew.