Hey Mike, I've been doing concrete for over 24 years. Great vids, i like to call myself a student of the trade. I've been contracting for about 15 years and i look to guys like you to help in my growth and further my knowledge of the trade, plus i just like to watch the work being done. Good job, keep on trucking.
Thanks for the video Mike. Ive looked all over RUclips, and this is the only video i could find that fully describes how to perform the traditional pull and kick technique with a basic hand screed. All the other videos the workers let go of the screed to move back and kick mud forward, not allowing a steady rhythm to take place. Either that or they use the more fancy screed boards that slide back and forth over the concrete. This right here is true agility and skill. Every company ive worked for, we do it the way you see here. Thank you very much for the video. Learn.
Are you kicking backwards or forwards? It looks like backwards but I assume you want to kick forwards to fill boot holes (it just doesn't look that way on camera)
Great info, thanks for posting. I'm looking to do a well house with a floor drain in the middle, your videos are very detailed for someone who knows nothing about concrete.
I did a 19x19 floor (a DIYr) and it came out rough. I should have floated across the direction of the screed. I'll be renting a grinder and level it when it is warmer. Most things I do turn out pretty well but this was not one of them. Appreciate your video. I have not given up. Next spring I will do and equal size pad. Do you think hand screeding is better for the novice than a power one?
Hi Mike. I am a homeowner DIYer, I tried screeding an unleveled slab with top n bond sakrete. The damn cement sticks to the wood I use to screed. It is a pain. Any advice?
Thanks Mike, i'm in the process of preparing my first concrete floor. It's renewing an old one an pouring over the top with a damp proof membrane and steel mesh. 13ft x 15ft x 5 inch deep... Your videos have really helped me get prepared! Thanks man, great work! England, UK. ps - gonna put a 1.1 ton (US) (1000kg) woodworking machine on the floor eventually - is a 5inch base thick enough to support such a weight?
Learn🙌🏽so my side of the story is holding the 2 by4. Just hate when I try screeding the concrete I have a hard time pulling it towards me. Tired of doing simple things would love to learn everything so it’s easyier on me and my unkles. We pour slabs driveways and time to time they take me to really important job sites that you need to know how to screed float and so fourth. Takes time but thanks for this video helps out a lot
Mike...how the hell do you get it so level? There's no formwork to work off? I would really like to know...I know some use screed keys...but without those!
When I read below that you were using a water reducer, I was more impressed. That would have been too much water otherwise, and it looks like you know what you were doing. For some reason residential contractors seem to mostly not use water reducers.
I have a question. In order to kick rod, the other person has to be able to kick rod to right? Cause I always run into a problem when the other person doesn’t know how.
Yes, the other person has to know how also. We use a water reducer in our mix that lets us pour a looser slump. No need to pour stiff if you don't have to.
you make it look waaaay too easy, it fools DIYs like me thinking - looks easy, I can do this myself! and I have, but damn it was hard work, and knowing when to finish is probably THE most important part, I had done around 50sq meters (10m a day) before with an electric bowl mixer and thought I'm ready for ready mix pour! first time I poured it was late in the evening (that is when the concrete pump was available) in November, like 4-5pm, and it suddenly got quit cold that day, finished at 5-6am... it just didn't want to stiffen up at that temp to be able to put final finish on it, came out ok the next time it was much warmer, and after screeding and floating I thought - I have couple hours before I can step on it to start finishing, when I came back, it had nearly set completely, had really hard time putting the final finish on it by hand, because I had bad experience renting a power trowel - the thing was nearly impossible to control, it just wanted to move left all the time, so I thought I'll just hand finish it, it's just 30sq meters - how hard can it be... well, it was like a bad hang over, kept thinking - never again...
Yea, pouring and finishing concrete has a big learning curve. Keep watching my videos, I'm trying to teach people like you the best I can through these videos.
We screed different that way of screeding is slow and it's for watery Concrete we pour hard Concrete 4 inch slump not soup and use 20 foot straight edge when we pull in two strokes we advance 2 feet and leave the marked line that's the new school way
Exactly. This must be the old school way and it works for small pours but try screeding 8inches at a time bent over in a 1000 yard pour...no way. New school way works for both big & small pours
Having a guy that’s good on the rake makes all the difference, without someone that has a good eye for a level raking the guy/s screeding are in for a really hard day.
You guys I America are so behind in concrete screending watch concrete ninja to see how to screed in Australia. One man on straight edge screed and it's straight.
no way could i ever hand screed...not even 1 minute bending down like in the video and my legs begin to hurt thank goodness all my company uses is the vibra screeds hahahaa
I'll screed by hand any day finish is easier and better quality.The lay down determines the quality of work. I've worked with some that didn't understand stand that. I didn't stay long with them. I like to work hard but work smart you get a lot more done and done right. I hate doing something twice.
Are we the only dumbasses that saw the screed? I was taught to saw the screed back and forth from a pro whene I started out but I don’t see anyone doing that
Eric - As long as you get the job done, that's what's important. If you can saw, you can learn to kick screed if you want to. You'd probably learn it very quickly.
Juan, You can start learning with my course about how to install a concrete slab. I teach you how to form it and how to pour the concrete. Here's the link. mike-day.mykajabi.com/offers/f2hJCH2C
You, O'Dell, West Coast, and Bondo! Thanks for all the tips, and hard-earned leasons!
Good shit finally guys that know what they're doing on RUclips, I'd work with you guys any day!
Good example why our province is calling it the Skilled Trades instead of just Trades. Great work, always cool to see
It's a very skilled trade. Thank You
Hey Mike, I've been doing concrete for over 24 years. Great vids, i like to call myself a student of the trade. I've been contracting for about 15 years and i look to guys like you to help in my growth and further my knowledge of the trade, plus i just like to watch the work being done. Good job, keep on trucking.
Thanks Mark. Where you from?
@@MikeDayConcrete I'm from Abilene, Texas where right now it's 29 degrees and been raining for the least day and a half.
Thanks for the video Mike. Ive looked all over RUclips, and this is the only video i could find that fully describes how to perform the traditional pull and kick technique with a basic hand screed. All the other videos the workers let go of the screed to move back and kick mud forward, not allowing a steady rhythm to take place. Either that or they use the more fancy screed boards that slide back and forth over the concrete. This right here is true agility and skill. Every company ive worked for, we do it the way you see here. Thank you very much for the video. Learn.
Thanks Derek!
Enjoy all the tips. Always willing and wanting to learn more.
Thanks your good teacher I haven't worked much with it but it always good to know god bless u
Very nice job guys you made it look easy I've been wet screening for many years and I love it . I really like how you men work as a team good job
Are you kicking backwards or forwards? It looks like backwards but I assume you want to kick forwards to fill boot holes (it just doesn't look that way on camera)
Beautiful video many valuable tips especially about tilting towards and screening with the back edge. Thank again wonderful job!
Thank You!
Great info, thanks for posting. I'm looking to do a well house with a floor drain in the middle, your videos are very detailed for someone who knows nothing about concrete.
thank you!
I did a 19x19 floor (a DIYr) and it came out rough. I should have floated across the direction of the screed. I'll be renting a grinder and level it when it is warmer. Most things I do turn out pretty well but this was not one of them. Appreciate your video. I have not given up. Next spring I will do and equal size pad. Do you think hand screeding is better for the novice than a power one?
Probably hand screeding is best to start with. Keep watching and learning, you can do it!!
Hi Mike. I am a homeowner DIYer, I tried screeding an unleveled slab with top n bond sakrete. The damn cement sticks to the wood I use to screed. It is a pain. Any advice?
Thank you for sharing your experiences
You're Welcome!
very professional men at work and professional tutor.
Thank you for watching!
Now that is how to rod! The best I have seen on RUclips great work .
Thanks, it's what we do every day!
Great videos Mike! Love your videos and how you make it so easy to understand! Keep up the good work! Thank you!
Thanks Mike, i'm in the process of preparing my first concrete floor. It's renewing an old one an pouring over the top with a damp proof membrane and steel mesh. 13ft x 15ft x 5 inch deep... Your videos have really helped me get prepared! Thanks man, great work! England, UK.
ps - gonna put a 1.1 ton (US) (1000kg) woodworking machine on the floor eventually - is a 5inch base thick enough to support such a weight?
Thanks Mathew, that's good news!
but whats the answer
Learn🙌🏽so my side of the story is holding the 2 by4. Just hate when I try screeding the concrete I have a hard time pulling it towards me. Tired of doing simple things would love to learn everything so it’s easyier on me and my unkles. We pour slabs driveways and time to time they take me to really important job sites that you need to know how to screed float and so fourth. Takes time but thanks for this video helps out a lot
Trying to teach you all I know. Keep watching, I have quite a few videos on screeding.
How about some tips on getting a wet line with a laser level vs height pins
That’s some impressive hand screeding
Thank You!
Beautiful job 👍👍👍💪💪
How much water should the truck drive add to say 4 or 5 yards
Great videos Mike, I wanna learn
Awesome, keep watching!
Keep up with the great job, they are helpful to me. Thanks
Concrete is amazing stuff
Mike...how the hell do you get it so level? There's no formwork to work off? I would really like to know...I know some use screed keys...but without those!
Just takes a lot of practice. like riding a bike. Once you learn to wet screed, it's really easy and fast.
@@MikeDayConcrete Much appreciated Mike...love your work!
@@MikeDayConcrete You do it long enough you can fell it.
I remember I was learning that and I was so uncoordinated but now I got it
Been watching your videos you put out some nice floors! Im a Concrete finisher out of Colorado springs, Co keep up the good work sir
Dominic, thanks man. It's nice to hear that. Hope work is going well for you.
When I read below that you were using a water reducer, I was more impressed. That would have been too much water otherwise, and it looks like you know what you were doing. For some reason residential contractors seem to mostly not use water reducers.
Thanks, We either use the mid-range or the high-range depending on how far we have to pull the crete around.
@@MikeDayConcrete, Thanks, have you found a downside to using a high-range water reducer? (segregation, stickiness, shrinkage...) Thanks again.
Thanks Mike!
I have a question. In order to kick rod, the other person has to be able to kick rod to right? Cause I always run into a problem when the other person doesn’t know how.
Plus we rod a more stiffer mix. So that’s why when I kick rod I have a harder time
Yes, the other person has to know how also. We use a water reducer in our mix that lets us pour a looser slump. No need to pour stiff if you don't have to.
@@MikeDayConcrete What water reducer do you use?
Did you also pour those concrete walls?
No, I just do the flatwork.
@@MikeDayConcrete Anyone can lay it down Mike but it takes a man to stand it up
Would love to see a video about vibrascreeding and power troweling techniques
Working on one now. Should come out Monday!
Where are you from? I also do concrete from Denver.. salute!
From Maine!!
Cool. Do u have shirt..pull and kick logo.
No shirt like that yet!!
what slump in MM do you have on this concrete ?
You aint adding water unless you use 2 hands
you make it look waaaay too easy, it fools DIYs like me thinking - looks easy, I can do this myself! and I have, but damn it was hard work, and knowing when to finish is probably THE most important part, I had done around 50sq meters (10m a day) before with an electric bowl mixer and thought I'm ready for ready mix pour!
first time I poured it was late in the evening (that is when the concrete pump was available) in November, like 4-5pm, and it suddenly got quit cold that day, finished at 5-6am... it just didn't want to stiffen up at that temp to be able to put final finish on it, came out ok
the next time it was much warmer, and after screeding and floating I thought - I have couple hours before I can step on it to start finishing, when I came back, it had nearly set completely, had really hard time putting the final finish on it by hand, because I had bad experience renting a power trowel - the thing was nearly impossible to control, it just wanted to move left all the time, so I thought I'll just hand finish it, it's just 30sq meters - how hard can it be... well, it was like a bad hang over, kept thinking - never again...
Yea, pouring and finishing concrete has a big learning curve. Keep watching my videos, I'm trying to teach people like you the best I can through these videos.
Good pull. Rythum is key
You're right. In sync!
Great videos
Thank you
You have to take a shot of tequila everytime he says "concrete"
We screed different that way of screeding is slow and it's for watery Concrete we pour hard Concrete 4 inch slump not soup and use 20 foot straight edge when we pull in two strokes we advance 2 feet and leave the marked line that's the new school way
I've poured thousands of yards of 4" slump concrete this same way. It's not soup if you use a water reducer. It's called smart!
Exactly. This must be the old school way and it works for small pours but try screeding 8inches at a time bent over in a 1000 yard pour...no way. New school way works for both big & small pours
What's 4 inch slump?
Having a guy that’s good on the rake makes all the difference, without someone that has a good eye for a level raking the guy/s screeding are in for a really hard day.
My back is sore just watching this video.
Learn!!!
You guys I America are so behind in concrete screending watch concrete ninja to see how to screed in Australia. One man on straight edge screed and it's straight.
Why screed it's pure water
Good but just a little slow
LEARN
Learn
My training courses are here: www.everything-about-concrete.com/concrete-courses.html
no way could i ever hand screed...not even 1 minute bending down like in the video and my legs begin to hurt thank goodness all my company uses is the vibra screeds hahahaa
We're used to it. We got a vibra screed also.
I'll screed by hand any day finish is easier and better quality.The lay down determines the quality of work. I've worked with some that didn't understand stand that. I didn't stay long with them. I like to work hard but work smart you get a lot more done and done right. I hate doing something twice.
basement floor within 1/8 inch? Come on Mike you aint doing super flats
I only kick when I have too.
It's normal for us. We can do it with our eyes closed it seems like.
Are we the only dumbasses that saw the screed? I was taught to saw the screed back and forth from a pro whene I started out but I don’t see anyone doing that
Eric - As long as you get the job done, that's what's important. If you can saw, you can learn to kick screed if you want to. You'd probably learn it very quickly.
Learn
This is my training academy Ian: www.theconcreteunderground.com/the-concrete-underground
Learn
Learn
Learn
Learn
Learn
Learn
Juan, You can start learning with my course about how to install a concrete slab. I teach you how to form it and how to pour the concrete. Here's the link.
mike-day.mykajabi.com/offers/f2hJCH2C
Learn
I'm working on it. Thanks for watching!
Thanks