Why would anyone thumbs-down my video? I'm just an average guy with a GoPro and basic laptop trying to help people. Disappointed there were no hot girls or car crashes in my video?
Because a small minority of tradesman have a bash everything / blame others mentality. BTW, thanks a million for posting this Brad, I just found the vid you were referencing and have decided to do this at our home.
If you added more water to the mix, or even better, tamped down the mixture more, quickrete can produce a nice finish. However, sakrete is easier to work with and my choice for bagged mixes. I like to add a shovel full of portland to both quickrete and sakrete to add to the strength and help with finishing. -Cement Contractor
In recent years I've learned that in other countries, having something less-than-perfect is bad, for example, the insult might be, "What, you can't afford to pay a professional? In America, it's admirable if you tried it yourself, even if it's not perfect! Neat, eh?
You can top dress the curb with a mix of portland and sand to a whipped cream consistency using a brush. Wet the concrete first so the dry concrete doesn't suck the water out of the mix. You can also buy a top dressing mix used for driveways and walks. I think you did a great job for a first try. Call it rustic and that you did it that way on purpose.
Hey brother, I'm a concrete finisher of 35 years plus. For your 1st time ever working with concrete I think you did a good job. On future projects you can still use QuikCrete, you just need to richen up the mix with additional Portland cement. Add about 4 cups per bag of pure Portland cement. Make sure you use the same amount each bag or else you will get variation in color throughout the pour. Mix it dry at first and then add your water. The extra cement will make it creamier, stronger and easier to work. You will also get a much better finish. Cheers!
Aw man - WHY didn't they mention this *important* step in the Quikrete video??? As in "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootise Roll Tootsie Pop?" - CRUNCH - the world may never know. LOL
You did a great job, don't worry about the haters. You could literally make a video about how you cured cancer and there would be thumbs down. Just is what it is. good work, bro.
Thank you! I've watched 20 concrete videos this week including the Quikcrete one and this is one of the most helpful, because it's coming from a beginner just like me. I'll be attempting this myself soon!
Thanks mate, often times TRUTH is good - even if it hurts! Fortunately, in time I've grown to like the rocky curb - the native plants have grown in and it looks like a real river bed.
Hey, that was a big task, next time add more water, tamp it in the form to sink the aggregate, and bring the cream to the top, float with wood trowel, edge, then wait for bleed water to dissipate. cut in expantion joints then texture to your preference. You did Ok! Next time do a trial run, and follow those steps, remember, wetter mix weaker concrete, (shrinkage), but better workability. this isn't structural so it would be ok. Practice making some stepping stones, You'll get the feel, don't rush, plenty of time, you'll be waiting 30-40 min just for the bleed water to leave. Cheers.
Exactly what I wanted to see...the good, the bad and the ugly. Love the video, straight to the point and you doing the numbers at the end was a nice touch.
Thanks for the great compliment - it's really swell how this time of year the view-count jumps and the comments come in... don't they promote outdoor projects "down under" when we have winter - LOL
@@BradThePitts LOL 😂 come to think of it, up here, all the major DIY centers become major expos for fall/winter Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decorations and Christmas trees and some emergency and must have winter supplies
It takes a lot of time and extra work to put together a video WHILE working on a project. I have tried to do a video documenting various projects, but I just can't seem to pull it off. The project is usually all I can think about, let alone documenting it. Thanks Brad for paying it forward! It's videos like this that are honest that make RUclips a great resource.
Hello Friend, this project & video was relatively easy. I agree that if it were a complicated project, I'd never be able to do the project and video at the same time. I heard that famous RUclips guy Chris Fix spends 100 hours on his videos!
I think you did a marvellous job. It doesn’t have to be smooth on the top and sides, it looks better as it is as it gives it character to me looks more real. Very inspiring and well done👍👍👍
I agree! Brad did a good job, especially considering no experience in it. I think some roughness on the concrete edging gives more character to it. It’s more natural look, like the nature. Brad, tks for sharing your work!
I rarely comment, but wanted to say thanks. You have certainly helped me and I appreciate you sharing your experience, it takes courage. Shame on all those thumbs downers...completely ridiculous.
Enjoyed your video! You were honest to point out the error(s) along the way and that DOES help people who haven't done this before, but are thinking about doing it. Cheers, Brad the Pitts!
Thanks a LOT. You showed the good, the bad, and the ugly of curbing. It looks great, especially in the front yard where your lawn slopes. Lots of very useful information in your video.
Thanks mate, the GOOD is it's incredibly strong, permanent, cheap, and won't have weeds growing through like if I used pavers. The BAD is it's back-breaking IF you don't use a cement mixer and/or if you are not 20 years old (LOL.) The UGLY is all the rocks in the Quickrete - IF you don't want that look. I've grown to like it - and by now the river rock area is filled with native drought-tolerant plants that blend in well with the landscape.
Great video. Love the actual do it yourselfers before and after pictures. You show the real struggles and things we will all face when we don't specialize in specific areas. Looks great and defines the landscape well.
Thanks Mate, I only wish there were a way to "add" to a RUclips video - the REAL "after" has desert flowers along the curb, and it looks like a riverbed. I no longer mind all the rocks in the concrete.
Great and honest video of your DIY experience. We’re all in this together and we all make mistakes along the way. Sure, a pro could do it better...but you pay a lot more for that, and sometimes the “pro” isn’t all that great anyway. Thanks for sharing your project with us. I think it turned out great, despite the issues you mentioned.
Mate, if only I could add an epilog to my video. The native "river" plants have grown in and it all looks like a real riverbed! How our friends from Quikrete got that perfectly smooth finish with the stuff in the yellow bag will forever be a mystery.
I was considering using the concrete guy who did our yard. But it's just a small area that we need to have a curb style border. Thanks for showing your process. I am generally a DIY person but this....after seeing your video....gives me confidence. I don't even think your work looks shabby. Bets believe that it still adds 'curb' appeal. Pun intended. Thanks for sharing. It looks great!!
Great video and thanks for running through the numbers at the end, that was very helpful. I want to do this to my yard and you gave a lot of good tips.
Thanks mate, #1 thing - do NOT use concrete with rocks in it. Unless, of course, you want it to look rough like mine. Overall, I'm very happy with my continuous weed-wacking curb.
Time has gone by and I've grown to fancy the "rocky" look. Native LaLa Land plants have grown in, and it looks like a real riverbed. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks mate - I wanted to tell the good, the bad, and the ugly. Overall I'm happy with the project and I would recommend it IF and only IF one is in good enough shape! Personally, I'm borderline - LOL
One other thing to remember, tight radius curves can make mowing the grass difficult. As you set the forms, get out your mower to make sure you will be able to mow up to the edging.
@@BradThePitts One change would help that mower problem. Rather than a high curb, sink it almost down to ground level. Example; 2" raised on the inside, and 1" raised on the outside. Would allow you to get part of the mower over the concrete.
That was the goal - just good info to give back to the RUclips community. The yard looks even better now - it's been a year and the curb is lined with native plants that attract butterflies.
Thanks, very much for sharing your journey. Some very useful lessons learned that I'll definitely keep in mind as I plan my own very similar project. Thanks, again!
Really liked this video. Have not come across a lot of videos where you can see the cost break down in details as this one. For me this is very helpful.
I'm glad that you liked my "high tech studio!" - lol. I learned that the concrete curb does not need to be 8" tall - even one 6" height will be very strong and you'd be able to walk on it.
Thanks mate - you can do it but unless you are '20 years old and bench-press 350" DO NOT attempt to mix the cement by hand! Get a cheap mixer like I did. But of course, anything under say 50 linear will doable.
Glad you liked the video, it was my attempt to give back to the DIY community. If only our friends from Quikrete would chime in and let me know how their curb is smooth and mine is rocky!
I am glad you liked my video - I only wish that at the time I knew how to use the stabilization in the GoPro Camera. It's been a few years now and the native river-bed plants have grown in. It looks like a real river bed. I like the look of the curb now!
It was good to hear what went well and where you could have improved your project. I am thinking of doing a borderas well so you have shown what I should consider and look out for. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks mate - the CURB is "raw and real" too! It's been a year, and the concrete has weathered well. Most important thing is don't use cement that has rocks. Of course, if you want that textured look, then by all means use the Quikrete! Cheers,
That's good 'ol fashioned New York sarcasm - although this house is clearly not in New York! I only wish I knew how to add an UPDATE to a RUclips video, the native riverbed plants have grown in and it looks like a real river bed.
Thanks for the video, I'm doing a similar project at the moment. Your mistake with the finish has helped me be more vigilant to ensure I make a good consistency for the concrete and to use a wooden float to float the cement to the top. I learned a lot from your video. Cheers mate
Cheers to you as well! I made this video to specifically help the RUclips community - I'm Just your average schmuck off the street and I wanted to show the good, the bad, and the ugly. I bet your project will come out better than mine!
I plan on doing this same project on my own property this year. Thanks for the info. I have used that type of concrete to patch flat work and do small pads with pretty good success, tapping on the sides of the forms and mag floating the top is key in getting the rocks to settle and bring up some cream to work with. The next time you do this you will be a pro. I just started my own channel for some of the same reasons as you. Keep it up.
Thanks mate - my DREAM is our friends from Quikrete would chime in and explain all the rocks to me! Now that the plants have grown in along my "riverbed" the whole thing looks ingrained and dapper, but I'll always wonder what happened to my yellow bags.....
Pour it wet, add about 25% more water, pound it down in layers with a piece of 2x4 and tap the mold with that 2x4 as you work it to release air, overfill the forms and take that 2x4; lay it across the molds on the skinny side and work it back and forth "screed" all the way down. Just finished my yard these are tricks I learned.
Nice video. I like how you just went with it when you bought the stuff and started (even if it wasn't exactly the ideal stuff). Completely relatable. All things considered, it turned out well, and probably no one will notice any flaws but you.
Awesome video!! Really appreciate the honesty. Most videos out there it feel like it’s done by a sales person and clearly you are not which makes you normal like most ppl. I guess what I’m trying to say I can relate to fact that most diy videos out there when you follow it to the T you can quickly realize what they show on video was not the whole story. Hope you keep making those honest videos. Cheers bud
It is early summer here in LaLa Land California where I made the video, it is very interesting how the comments for the video come up this time of year. In the winter, there are no comments and no views - LOL.
I don’t know why anyone would thumbs down this video. Exactly what I was looking for. I saw the quickCrete video and wondered if it was truly that easy. I’ll take any information I can get before I take on my project! Thanks for taking the time to do this! Oh have you looked at Michael builds videos? There might be a product that you can smooth out your border with on there. Check him out.
The answer is YES - it really is this easy, the only hard part is the "muscle" needed to carry the heavy cement bags, although I can't imagine anyone doing say more than say 12' of curb if mixing by hand. Just watch out for them rocks - find a better concrete than I did. I will check out *Michael Builds* videos!
I thiink you are your toughest critic. Despite the learning process, it looks great. Bet you added a lot of value to your home. Now i really want to try this but i want to borrow my dads mixer to save on costs. Nice work!
Thanks mate, I am happy with the "job that I did" - just not happy with the raw materials. But actually, now that the plants have grown in the rough curb really looks like a riverbed. 👍👍
Glad I could help, most important thing is use Portland Cement and SAND if you want a smooth finish! I've gotten use to my "rocky" look - by now they compliment the river rocks and native "riverbed" plants that have grown in.
I think the final product looks good. The rough top looked bad at first to me but once you were done landscaping it doesn't look bad and the rough look gives it a natural old look. If you wanted it smooth at the top should have been screeded with a board to force the concrete cream to the top and drive the rocks lower. I also would have put a half inch rebar down the middle but besides that it looks good.
Thanks mate - now that the native plants have grown in, the whole thing looks like a dry riverbed and it looks OK. You must be correct about pushing the rocks lower. Seems an important step - the mystery is why didn’t they say this in the Quikrete instruction video?
Looks very good the prep of ground & frames is slots work. Yes the quikcrete has a lot of rocks and not all of them are same. Moving them down on the mix to get a smooth top is very frustrating! Thanks for posting
Thanks for posting the video. If you don't like the look of the rocks in the top of the concrete you may want to consider a concrete resurfacing product on the top. You may rolls your eyes when you learn that Quikrete does make such a product too. From a distance, like down by the street, I'm sure nobody would notice. Again, thanks for the post.
Maybe a 'little' more water, tamping the sides to settle the aggregate... a bit... for given you didn't know this, I think you did very well! Excellent video!
WOW - everybody is telling me this. You seem to know your stuff, any idea why this important step wasn't mentioned in the Quikrete instructional video???
@@BradThePitts I don't know. In all concrete pours, the minimum that is done is tapping the forms.. that helps get the bubbles out (air) of the concrete and helps settle the aggregate... ideally, you have a small vibrating tool - would have to be really small for this application so not even sure such a thing exists - but in lieu of that, tapping those forms, particularly since they are so close together, would help a lot. Overall, you were definitely right about having concrete with less stones being ideal... just offering what apparently a lot of folks are saying... if you are using quikcrete, you have more to be concerned about because of all the stones, so a little harder to work with, but a lot more convenient for you also, which is why you used it I am sure. getting some stone, cement, and sand delivered would have been a lot of extra work. Adding a little extra water, maybe a tad, but not much may have helped you. Ideally the concrete is just how you did it for the consistency.... but to settle out stones, may have helped out. You did a great job all things considered and obviously would have been great if they gave better directions and advice. Again, great video. Love watching someone learning as they go and reporting results!
Good question - I think the people at Quikrete did NOT use their own stuff in the yellow bag. I still see now way it could come out so smooth in their video considering the bag is 25% to 30% rocks. Therefore, I think their video is fraudulent. They have disabled comments for their video.
Great video. I am going to be working on my own stuff here shortly and trying to get ideas. The reason your finish wasn’t as good is because your mix was a little dry. Other then that you did an awesome job and I can only hope mine turns out that good.
I tried adding at least twice the water as prescribed on the bag, it made it worse! The extra water seemed to drain into the soil, taking some concrete with it, leaving the rocks up top. What I don't understand is very small rocks don't float. Unless, of course, you're into Monty Python LOL. Good luck with your project!
Good job man. Most wouldn't tackle a project like that without any experience. Id say mix some portland cement into a paste and fill in the holes/make it smooth. Mike Haduck here on RUclips has many videos about it. Wet it first with a spray bottle then lay on the paste. Can always use a wire brush to knock off what you don't like before it completely dries.
It's awesome you got the balls and energy to go and make a YT channel, and also to do a large job like that with little EXP. always good to set up some trial runs to get the hang of it, or do all lot of study prior dropping $$$$$$'s
Thanks mate - the only goal was to help people. All you need to know with no filler. My neighbor Scarlett Johansson was wearing a bikini and she helped out a bit to get some sun, but I left it out because the video would be too long LOL
I definitely would have been deflated seeing how the concrete was looking rough on the top. I've seen concrete borders that are nice and smooth but in my opinion, yours looks better. The roughness looks naturally better to me. The fact that everything isn't perfectly smooth and straight makes it look more natural and blends in better. This looks great to me, good job Mr. Brad the Pitts.
I have grown to like it, the pebbly 'ol curb has blended with the river rocks & natural plants and it looks like a real river bed. I only wish there was a way to "add to" the end of a RUclips video.
@@BradThePitts Just make a follow up video and add a "card" towards the end of the video so that people can click it to go to the follow up video. You can also link to that video in this video's description. Here's a link to how to add a card: ruclips.net/video/0LLmH9mHwpQ/видео.html
@@BradThePitts You should try regardless and see what happens on a minor test spot out of general view. I think you'll be surprised. Shouldn't cost too much and can possibly make a world of difference.
Thanks mate - it's been a year and the curb has weathered and worked its way into the stone landscape. And ANYTHING is better than the rotten railroad ties!
Buy a product to isolate the posts from the concrete to allow for expansion. They're available from hardware stores. If you go with the foam I recommend you tape it in place to the height you want the concrete before you pour.
@@Wakeywhodat Right behind you! I specifically chose the 60lb bag instead of the 90lb bag for handling purposes. The overall price per pound was the same. I probably should have put this in the video!
Why would anyone thumbs-down my video? I'm just an average guy with a GoPro and basic laptop trying to help people. Disappointed there were no hot girls or car crashes in my video?
Because a small minority of tradesman have a bash everything / blame others mentality. BTW, thanks a million for posting this Brad, I just found the vid you were referencing and have decided to do this at our home.
@@luckyvet Go for it, mate! Just PLEASE use rock-less cement, if that's the look you want.
If you added more water to the mix, or even better, tamped down the mixture more, quickrete can produce a nice finish. However, sakrete is easier to work with and my choice for bagged mixes. I like to add a shovel full of portland to both quickrete and sakrete to add to the strength and help with finishing.
-Cement Contractor
@@stevemoore6066 a shovel of portland per 60lb bag of quickcrete?
It’s always going to be someone negative, JUST KEEP PUSHING!! great video. I’m thinking of doing this myself
I appreciate how you used your experience to help the rest of us.
Thank you sir, great job!
In recent years I've learned that in other countries, having something less-than-perfect is bad, for example, the insult might be, "What, you can't afford to pay a professional? In America, it's admirable if you tried it yourself, even if it's not perfect! Neat, eh?
You can top dress the curb with a mix of portland and sand to a whipped cream consistency using a brush. Wet the concrete first so the dry concrete doesn't suck the water out of the mix. You can also buy a top dressing mix used for driveways and walks. I think you did a great job for a first try. Call it rustic and that you did it that way on purpose.
Hey brother, I'm a concrete finisher of 35 years plus. For your 1st time ever working with concrete I think you did a good job. On future projects you can still use QuikCrete, you just need to richen up the mix with additional Portland cement. Add about 4 cups per bag of pure Portland cement. Make sure you use the same amount each bag or else you will get variation in color throughout the pour. Mix it dry at first and then add your water. The extra cement will make it creamier, stronger and easier to work. You will also get a much better finish. Cheers!
Aw man - WHY didn't they mention this *important* step in the Quikrete video??? As in "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootise Roll Tootsie Pop?" - CRUNCH - the world may never know. LOL
what about adding fiberglass to mix and what about any rebar in it ?
You did a great job, don't worry about the haters. You could literally make a video about how you cured cancer and there would be thumbs down. Just is what it is. good work, bro.
Thank you! I've watched 20 concrete videos this week including the Quikcrete one and this is one of the most helpful, because it's coming from a beginner just like me. I'll be attempting this myself soon!
Thanks - since I'm not selling anything, the goal was to tell the good, the bad, and the ugly. YOU CAN DO IT!
Great video. Nice to see a real DIY video and not something that was edited 15 times to make it look like it was done perfectly.
Thanks mate, often times TRUTH is good - even if it hurts! Fortunately, in time I've grown to like the rocky curb - the native plants have grown in and it looks like a real river bed.
Hey, that was a big task, next time add more water, tamp it in the form to sink the aggregate, and bring the cream to the top, float with wood trowel, edge, then wait for bleed water to dissipate. cut in expantion joints then texture to your preference. You did Ok!
Next time do a trial run, and follow those steps, remember, wetter mix weaker concrete, (shrinkage), but better workability. this isn't structural so it would be ok. Practice making some stepping stones, You'll get the feel, don't rush, plenty of time, you'll be waiting 30-40 min just for the bleed water to leave.
Cheers.
Next time watch a youtube video on how to mix concrete
Exactly what I wanted to see...the good, the bad and the ugly. Love the video, straight to the point and you doing the numbers at the end was a nice touch.
For never having done something like that before, you did a great job 👍👏👏
Thanks for the great compliment - it's really swell how this time of year the view-count jumps and the comments come in... don't they promote outdoor projects "down under" when we have winter - LOL
@@BradThePitts oh you're welcome., and um lol, I wouldn't know lol I'm in America and it's summer ⛱️
@@BradThePitts LOL 😂 come to think of it, up here, all the major DIY centers become major expos for fall/winter Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decorations and Christmas trees and some emergency and must have winter supplies
It takes a lot of time and extra work to put together a video WHILE working on a project. I have tried to do a video documenting various projects, but I just can't seem to pull it off. The project is usually all I can think about, let alone documenting it. Thanks Brad for paying it forward! It's videos like this that are honest that make RUclips a great resource.
Hello Friend, this project & video was relatively easy. I agree that if it were a complicated project, I'd never be able to do the project and video at the same time. I heard that famous RUclips guy Chris Fix spends 100 hours on his videos!
For a much better finish... you could have vibrated the form sides and made the rocks sink by using a jig saw without the blade. DIY is fun!
You did alright, dude. It's a learning experience. We all done it.
I think you did a marvellous job. It doesn’t have to be smooth on the top and sides, it looks better as it is as it gives it character to me looks more real. Very inspiring and well done👍👍👍
I agree! Brad did a good job, especially considering no experience in it. I think some roughness on the concrete edging gives more character to it. It’s more natural look, like the nature. Brad, tks for sharing your work!
I rarely comment, but wanted to say thanks. You have certainly helped me and I appreciate you sharing your experience, it takes courage. Shame on all those thumbs downers...completely ridiculous.
You can do it! Just be sure you have, or hire muscle for the cement bags!!!
Enjoyed your video! You were honest to point out the error(s) along the way and that DOES help people who haven't done this before, but are thinking about doing it. Cheers, Brad the Pitts!
Thanks mate, I've saved TENS of thousands of dollars by watching DIY videos on RUclips and I wanted to give back!
Thanks a LOT. You showed the good, the bad, and the ugly of curbing. It looks great, especially in the front yard where your lawn slopes. Lots of very useful information in your video.
Thanks mate, the GOOD is it's incredibly strong, permanent, cheap, and won't have weeds growing through like if I used pavers. The BAD is it's back-breaking IF you don't use a cement mixer and/or if you are not 20 years old (LOL.) The UGLY is all the rocks in the Quickrete - IF you don't want that look. I've grown to like it - and by now the river rock area is filled with native drought-tolerant plants that blend in well with the landscape.
Nice job. You did give back to the community. Mission accomplished.
Great video. Love the actual do it yourselfers before and after pictures. You show the real struggles and things we will all face when we don't specialize in specific areas. Looks great and defines the landscape well.
Thanks Mate, I only wish there were a way to "add" to a RUclips video - the REAL "after" has desert flowers along the curb, and it looks like a riverbed. I no longer mind all the rocks in the concrete.
@@BradThePitts Sounds like something I want to do at my home and even have a similar layout to yours!
@@mexzcanninja7412 _GO FOR IT_ just be sure you have at least one strong person to carry the cement bags, the rest is easy and cheap!
Good video man, you weren’t afraid to say what you did wrong and I like that. Always had the same philosophy.
I actually LOVE being wrong. Every time you are wrong you learn something new LOL.
Great and honest video of your DIY experience. We’re all in this together and we all make mistakes along the way. Sure, a pro could do it better...but you pay a lot more for that, and sometimes the “pro” isn’t all that great anyway. Thanks for sharing your project with us. I think it turned out great, despite the issues you mentioned.
Mate, if only I could add an epilog to my video. The native "river" plants have grown in and it all looks like a real riverbed! How our friends from Quikrete got that perfectly smooth finish with the stuff in the yellow bag will forever be a mystery.
I was considering using the concrete guy who did our yard. But it's just a small area that we need to have a curb style border. Thanks for showing your process. I am generally a DIY person but this....after seeing your video....gives me confidence. I don't even think your work looks shabby. Bets believe that it still adds 'curb' appeal. Pun intended. Thanks for sharing. It looks great!!
Great video and thanks for running through the numbers at the end, that was very helpful. I want to do this to my yard and you gave a lot of good tips.
Thanks mate, #1 thing - do NOT use concrete with rocks in it. Unless, of course, you want it to look rough like mine. Overall, I'm very happy with my continuous weed-wacking curb.
Great note, exactly how I felt.
It looks just fine, even good. The tips and overview of your process are helpful, too. Thx for sharing.
Time has gone by and I've grown to fancy the "rocky" look. Native LaLa Land plants have grown in, and it looks like a real riverbed. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Finally a straight forward review, with detailed priceng! Thanks and screw the haters!
Thanks mate - I wanted to tell the good, the bad, and the ugly. Overall I'm happy with the project and I would recommend it IF and only IF one is in good enough shape! Personally, I'm borderline - LOL
One other thing to remember, tight radius curves can make mowing the grass difficult. As you set the forms, get out your mower to make sure you will be able to mow up to the edging.
You are definitely correct - the inside curves have to be cut with a weedwacker about 12" away from the curb. The outside curves are no problem. 👍
@@BradThePitts One change would help that mower problem. Rather than a high curb, sink it almost down to ground level. Example; 2" raised on the inside, and 1" raised on the outside. Would allow you to get part of the mower over the concrete.
Mission accomplished! Thanks for the detailed cost analysis. 👍
Great video and loved the no hype or filler style you used. Thanks and the curb definitely makes your yard pop!!
That was the goal - just good info to give back to the RUclips community. The yard looks even better now - it's been a year and the curb is lined with native plants that attract butterflies.
You did the job I think the concrete was the issue , thank you for sharing your experience.
My DREAM is Quikrete will chime in and say why they had smooth concrete and why I had rocks... cheers from LaLa Land, California
Thanks, very much for sharing your journey. Some very useful lessons learned that I'll definitely keep in mind as I plan my own very similar project. Thanks, again!
Really liked this video. Have not come across a lot of videos where you can see the cost break down in details as this one. For me this is very helpful.
I'm glad that you liked my "high tech studio!" - lol. I learned that the concrete curb does not need to be 8" tall - even one 6" height will be very strong and you'd be able to walk on it.
@@BradThePitts Good to know. I am planning to create too.
It still looks good man good job ,you gave me a lot of hope on my self with this video
Thanks mate - you can do it but unless you are '20 years old and bench-press 350" DO NOT attempt to mix the cement by hand! Get a cheap mixer like I did. But of course, anything under say 50 linear will doable.
Thanks from the UK! Just about to do this in our garden and found it (and comments) really helpful :)
Go for it, mate! PLEASE don't use a "rocky" equivalent brand of cement or whatever you have for sale there across the pond. Cheers,
I think it looks good for the first time. I would be happy with it.
Great job. Especially for the first time.
Ppl are haters but good job buddy. Especially for a first timer. Came out great. Cant wait to try this out.
Now that the native plants have grown in, it looks like a real riverbed and I've grown to like it!
Brilliant. More informative than anything else I have seen. If you can, please do others.
Glad you liked the video, it was my attempt to give back to the DIY community. If only our friends from Quikrete would chime in and let me know how their curb is smooth and mine is rocky!
Love the video man and I think it came out good. Respect!
I am glad you liked my video - I only wish that at the time I knew how to use the stabilization in the GoPro Camera. It's been a few years now and the native river-bed plants have grown in. It looks like a real river bed. I like the look of the curb now!
It was good to hear what went well and where you could have improved your project. I am thinking of doing a borderas well so you have shown what I should consider and look out for. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Not bad at all for your first time project.
It's my last too - at least for a project of this caliber. All them bags o' concrete did a number on my back! I ain't 20 anymore!!!! lol
Thank you. I need to do some edging and I want a permanent solution such as this. Your video is raw, real, and let’s me know what to expect.
Thanks mate - the CURB is "raw and real" too! It's been a year, and the concrete has weathered well. Most important thing is don't use cement that has rocks. Of course, if you want that textured look, then by all means use the Quikrete! Cheers,
this video was quality, thought I was watching comedy garden show LOL. But in the end, it all looks pretty good 👍👍
That's good 'ol fashioned New York sarcasm - although this house is clearly not in New York! I only wish I knew how to add an UPDATE to a RUclips video, the native riverbed plants have grown in and it looks like a real river bed.
Thanks for the video, I'm doing a similar project at the moment. Your mistake with the finish has helped me be more vigilant to ensure I make a good consistency for the concrete and to use a wooden float to float the cement to the top. I learned a lot from your video. Cheers mate
Cheers to you as well! I made this video to specifically help the RUclips community - I'm Just your average schmuck off the street and I wanted to show the good, the bad, and the ugly. I bet your project will come out better than mine!
Thanks for the video. Good to see people build new things.
I plan on doing this same project on my own property this year. Thanks for the info. I have used that type of concrete to patch flat work and do small pads with pretty good success, tapping on the sides of the forms and mag floating the top is key in getting the rocks to settle and bring up some cream to work with. The next time you do this you will be a pro. I just started my own channel for some of the same reasons as you. Keep it up.
Thanks for making the video. I would practice on a spot first before doing the main focal point. Your video taught me that. Thanks
Haha - MY practice spot was this whole thing, and later on I added a small concrete ring for a tree. It came out perfect LOL
Looks nice & fun project! I’m looking forward to giving it a try myself. Maybe practise first in the backyard though 😜
Appreciate the honest video. Turned out good. Keep up the good work
Thanks mate - my DREAM is our friends from Quikrete would chime in and explain all the rocks to me! Now that the plants have grown in along my "riverbed" the whole thing looks ingrained and dapper, but I'll always wonder what happened to my yellow bags.....
Dude, I think it came out pretty good. I’m going to give it a try. Thanks for the tips.
*YOU CAN DO IT* - but if you have say more than 20' to do, borrow a cement mixer or hire somebody in shape - LOL
Good to learn, thanks for sharing
Pour it wet, add about 25% more water, pound it down in layers with a piece of 2x4 and tap the mold with that 2x4 as you work it to release air, overfill the forms and take that 2x4; lay it across the molds on the skinny side and work it back and forth "screed" all the way down. Just finished my yard these are tricks I learned.
The quicrete in the yellow bag is fine. The step you describe here is what he missed, from another observant diy-er.
You obviously know your stuff, any idea why this important information wasn't included in the Quikrete video?
@@BradThePitts Cause they assume knowledge most people don't possess the first time out.
Nice video. I like how you just went with it when you bought the stuff and started (even if it wasn't exactly the ideal stuff). Completely relatable. All things considered, it turned out well, and probably no one will notice any flaws but you.
Awesome video!! Really appreciate the honesty. Most videos out there it feel like it’s done by a sales person and clearly you are not which makes you normal like most ppl. I guess what I’m trying to say I can relate to fact that most diy videos out there when you follow it to the T you can quickly realize what they show on video was not the whole story. Hope you keep making those honest videos. Cheers bud
Great video! Great project!
It is early summer here in LaLa Land California where I made the video, it is very interesting how the comments for the video come up this time of year. In the winter, there are no comments and no views - LOL.
I don’t know why anyone would thumbs down this video. Exactly what I was looking for. I saw the quickCrete video and wondered if it was truly that easy. I’ll take any information I can get before I take on my project! Thanks for taking the time to do this!
Oh have you looked at Michael builds videos? There might be a product that you can smooth out your border with on there. Check him out.
The answer is YES - it really is this easy, the only hard part is the "muscle" needed to carry the heavy cement bags, although I can't imagine anyone doing say more than say 12' of curb if mixing by hand. Just watch out for them rocks - find a better concrete than I did. I will check out *Michael Builds* videos!
Nice job, on the video, information, and edging!!!
Don't pay no mind to the HATERS. They didn't get enough hugs as children. God bless them.
I think that it turned out pretty good for a first time concrete worker.
Nice job Brad...Looks great!....Thanks for posting....
Thanks but nobody gets my screen name LOL
Really appreciate this thank you
Go for it!!! I'm just an average person and you can do it too! Cheers,
Very helpful! Thank you, well done
I am glad you like it, I would recommend this project to any DIY'er as long as you can carry heavy bags of cement!
Thanks you gave us some confidence to work on our edging! Yours looks like a pro it great
YOU CAN DO IT - the hardest part is the WEIGHT of the cement bags LOL
@@BradThePitts ok I picked up 1 bag and asked for a coffee break 🤣🤣but we did get a really NICE! Start I'm very proud of hubby! Thanks again
I think you did a great job and great video
I thiink you are your toughest critic. Despite the learning process, it looks great. Bet you added a lot of value to your home. Now i really want to try this but i want to borrow my dads mixer to save on costs. Nice work!
I think it looks great. Nice job!!!
Not bad buddy !!! Don’t be so hard on yourself.... once you get the first one done... the rest are easy ! 😁👍👍👏👏👏 GR8 job !!!
Thanks mate, I am happy with the "job that I did" - just not happy with the raw materials. But actually, now that the plants have grown in the rough curb really looks like a riverbed. 👍👍
Thank you for sharing. I found your instruction was simple to follow.
Awesome, comprehensive and everything I need for mine. Cheers
Glad I could help, most important thing is use Portland Cement and SAND if you want a smooth finish! I've gotten use to my "rocky" look - by now they compliment the river rocks and native "riverbed" plants that have grown in.
I think the final product looks good. The rough top looked bad at first to me but once you were done landscaping it doesn't look bad and the rough look gives it a natural old look. If you wanted it smooth at the top should have been screeded with a board to force the concrete cream to the top and drive the rocks lower. I also would have put a half inch rebar down the middle but besides that it looks good.
Thanks mate - now that the native plants have grown in, the whole thing looks like a dry riverbed and it looks OK. You must be correct about pushing the rocks lower. Seems an important step - the mystery is why didn’t they say this in the Quikrete instruction video?
Looks very good the prep of ground & frames is slots work. Yes the quikcrete has a lot of rocks and not all of them are same. Moving them down on the mix to get a smooth top is very frustrating!
Thanks for posting
Mate, were you able to take a gander at the Quickrete video that showed how to do this? Any idea how they got such smooth results?
Thanks for posting the video. If you don't like the look of the rocks in the top of the concrete you may want to consider a concrete resurfacing product on the top. You may rolls your eyes when you learn that Quikrete does make such a product too. From a distance, like down by the street, I'm sure nobody would notice. Again, thanks for the post.
Thanks for sharing, I watched the same video , got my forms up and am pouring this weekend.
GO FOR IT
Gave a like for your closing statement. Well done.
Bravo! Looks good from the street. Thank you for posting.
Thanks mate, that was only the beginning - the curb now divides the lawn and a bed of plants that attract butterflies.
Im thinking you could add a skim coat to smooth it out. Great vid
good for your trying this project out! if you want to make the curb look better you can use cement all.
I think you a great job! Thank you.
Great job! Looking nice!
Haters are everywhere. That’s why the thumbs down. Ignore them.
Maybe a 'little' more water, tamping the sides to settle the aggregate... a bit... for given you didn't know this, I think you did very well! Excellent video!
WOW - everybody is telling me this. You seem to know your stuff, any idea why this important step wasn't mentioned in the Quikrete instructional video???
@@BradThePitts I don't know. In all concrete pours, the minimum that is done is tapping the forms.. that helps get the bubbles out (air) of the concrete and helps settle the aggregate... ideally, you have a small vibrating tool - would have to be really small for this application so not even sure such a thing exists - but in lieu of that, tapping those forms, particularly since they are so close together, would help a lot.
Overall, you were definitely right about having concrete with less stones being ideal... just offering what apparently a lot of folks are saying... if you are using quikcrete, you have more to be concerned about because of all the stones, so a little harder to work with, but a lot more convenient for you also, which is why you used it I am sure. getting some stone, cement, and sand delivered would have been a lot of extra work.
Adding a little extra water, maybe a tad, but not much may have helped you. Ideally the concrete is just how you did it for the consistency.... but to settle out stones, may have helped out.
You did a great job all things considered and obviously would have been great if they gave better directions and advice.
Again, great video. Love watching someone learning as they go and reporting results!
This Video will help me with my future project. Kudos
Not bad at all. I'm sure there's a huge learning curve and you'd correct any imperfections the 2nd time attempting such a project.
Pretty dam good for a first timer!
Good job! Thanks for sharing!
Wonder if you could use a dry pour
Good question - I think the people at Quikrete did NOT use their own stuff in the yellow bag. I still see now way it could come out so smooth in their video considering the bag is 25% to 30% rocks. Therefore, I think their video is fraudulent. They have disabled comments for their video.
@@BradThePitts yea I’m going to try the dry pour. About 10 bags should do it for me. I just need a something to stack my brick up.
Looks good 👍 diy is great
Great video. I am going to be working on my own stuff here shortly and trying to get ideas. The reason your finish wasn’t as good is because your mix was a little dry. Other then that you did an awesome job and I can only hope mine turns out that good.
I tried adding at least twice the water as prescribed on the bag, it made it worse! The extra water seemed to drain into the soil, taking some concrete with it, leaving the rocks up top. What I don't understand is very small rocks don't float. Unless, of course, you're into Monty Python LOL. Good luck with your project!
Good job man. Most wouldn't tackle a project like that without any experience.
Id say mix some portland cement into a paste and fill in the holes/make it smooth.
Mike Haduck here on RUclips has many videos about it.
Wet it first with a spray bottle then lay on the paste. Can always use a wire brush to knock off what you don't like before it completely dries.
It's awesome you got the balls and energy to go and make a YT channel, and also to do a large job like that with little EXP. always good to set up some trial runs to get the hang of it, or do all lot of study prior dropping $$$$$$'s
You are correct - later on I added a small ring for a tree, I should have tried that FIRST.
Good job,, looks doable. I might tackle this soon!
Do it.. do it nooooow! (Arnold Schwarzenegger voice) LOL
Don’t worry this is how u learn and get better. I been their.
Rickesh Lal “There”. (Grammar police)
Thank you for your posting 💪🏻
Is it possible to shape the concrete such that one side (say the "inner" side) is an inch or two higher than the other side (the "lawn" side)?
Definitely possible with the right trowel and the right consistency of cement. Look for videos called "U Curb It"
Great video! To the point and simple! I get so tired of minute long musical montage intros in other videos.
Thanks mate - the only goal was to help people. All you need to know with no filler. My neighbor Scarlett Johansson was wearing a bikini and she helped out a bit to get some sun, but I left it out because the video would be too long LOL
I definitely would have been deflated seeing how the concrete was looking rough on the top. I've seen concrete borders that are nice and smooth but in my opinion, yours looks better. The roughness looks naturally better to me. The fact that everything isn't perfectly smooth and straight makes it look more natural and blends in better. This looks great to me, good job Mr. Brad the Pitts.
I have grown to like it, the pebbly 'ol curb has blended with the river rocks & natural plants and it looks like a real river bed. I only wish there was a way to "add to" the end of a RUclips video.
@@BradThePitts Just make a follow up video and add a "card" towards the end of the video so that people can click it to go to the follow up video. You can also link to that video in this video's description. Here's a link to how to add a card: ruclips.net/video/0LLmH9mHwpQ/видео.html
@@RyanOlsen Did not know this - much obliged!
@@BradThePitts No problem.
A concrete stain would add some color and hide some of that, kinda give it a finished look
What if you sanded down the top of the concrete to make it smoother?
My guess is this would have helped within a few days of pouring - maybe use 35 grit sandpaper on a belt sander, but it's since dried ROCK HARD.
@@BradThePitts You should try regardless and see what happens on a minor test spot out of general view. I think you'll be surprised. Shouldn't cost too much and can possibly make a world of difference.
Good job. Its rough, but it's a curb. It has one job and one job only, separate the yard from the planter. Mission accomplished.
Thanks mate - it's been a year and the curb has weathered and worked its way into the stone landscape. And ANYTHING is better than the rotten railroad ties!
@@BradThePitts You should be proud. You weren't afraid to try something new. Thanks for sharing. I'll be laying down some curb soon. Have a good one.
I have 5ft Wrought Iron fence circling my front yard. I wonder if I can do this, encasing the Wrought Iron. I think you did pretty good on the Border.
Buy a product to isolate the posts from the concrete to allow for expansion. They're available from hardware stores. If you go with the foam I recommend you tape it in place to the height you want the concrete before you pour.
Nice job! I’m trying to figure out what to use for the forms. My curb will be like yours (lots of curves), so plywood won’t work well.
I just watched the Quickcrete video and it appeared the 1/4” plywood was easy enough to use as a form.
_GO FOR IT_ - just be sure you have "muscles" nearby to handle the cement bags. :)
@@BradThePitts that will be me but I'm only 53 lol
@@Wakeywhodat Right behind you! I specifically chose the 60lb bag instead of the 90lb bag for handling purposes. The overall price per pound was the same. I probably should have put this in the video!