I don't really 'recommend' techniques like this but, rather, encourage viewers to see if the way I prefer to do something like this is a good fit or feel to them. Because I'm tooling this sealant AFTER dispensing I find 'pushing' the sealant in situations like this works much better, for me, to fill the joint and keep an eye on dispensing the right amount of sealant. Keep in mind thought that in most every other caulking situation I prefer 'pulling' the bead so I can use the tip of the caulk tube to do the tooling and smooth the bead as I go.
I have watched hundreds and hundreds of videos for the DIY homeowner, and this tutorial is in the top 1% of them all ! THANK YOU for taking your time to make this video, Very well presented... well filmed and well narrated. Thank You again, Sir !
I wish you lived near me ...... You'd get all my project work ...... It's hard to find tradesmen who care about what they're doing ...... Thank you for this class 😁
Two things. The hero of this project is the debris pale. Often forgotten and underappreciated. And the sand treatment has an additional benefit of UV protection. As a handyman, I am usually the second or third guy in and when this seal fails after a decade or so. It makes my job so much more satisfying to replace a neat job like this than repairing the crime scenes I often encounter. Thanks.
I saw a completed caulking job like this about 15 to 20 years ago and haven’t seen another since then. It was stunning! I didn’t know about adding the sand after so I thought it was a special caulk. I have found caulking for stucco and I’ve used it, but it never looked this good. What I saw was perfectly uniform and placed nicely between the two sides with clean edges . I couldn’t imagine what magic the installer used to do this, but kept it in the back of my mind. NOW, I know how it was done. It’s positively beautiful! Thank you!!
After having watched several other videos like this where the OP is giving people horrible advice, and misinformation, it's nice to finally see you know what you're talking about. THANK YOU for restoring my faith in 'How to videos'.
As a widow I try to do as many home projects myself so I rely on these videos. Yours are excellent for someone like myself especially showing what products to use and why. Loved it and the results are perfect. Thank you thank you.
Matt, great video. I am a detail oriented guy and appreciate how you have precisely broken the steps into manageable sections and carried out the process unhurriedly. I am sure you have learned from past mistakes. There are millions of videos doing shabby jobs. Thank you.
I've been caulking as a part of my business for 20 years. The 409 trick is just what I've been needing all that time - to make what had already been "good", into excellent. Thanks much.
I'm local 4 for 20 years and u can not get caulk wet first,you should dry tool first,I promise you after it sets up you can pull that whole caulk joint out.It looks very nice but it will not hold up.Make a video to show if it stuck to the concrete,I bet it will pull out with your hand.
@@angieiluvme Not true. First, you aren't getting the caulk wet at the joint where it adheres to the concrete. I just have a container of windex I dip my latex gloved finger in. All it does is keep the caulk from sticking to your finger or glove so it slides over smoothly and leaves a perfect finish. None of it is staying behind, puddling, or mixing with the caulk in any way to change the way it adheres to the concrete.
I was about to go out and caulk my very large 3-car garage driveway and thought I'd better get advice on how to do it properly. SO glad I saw this video, or I would have made a huge mess of my project. You're the Man!!!
Now that's a how-to video. Well explained and did not miss a thing. I came here to see how to tool a sealant in an expansion joint, and got exactly what I was after. Champion presenting as well.
Matt, I love your attention to detail, there are so many people these days doing tasks like this lazy and quick. As others have stated, one of the best caulking videos ever. Keep up the good work!
I 100% agree but on the other hand now, there are so many people (customers) that do not appreciate (quality) work and the only detail they are interested in is price. 👉 (Customer) Oh just slap some caulk over it, it will be ok, the other caulk stayed on for a long time, as long as it doesn't leak water around my windows I don't care. These customers I usually walk away from if they are just price driven.
I'm really disappointed that you haven't done a video on those great out feed stands that you built, but I have returned to this video because it's sooo good! You're are one of the most conscientious carpenters that I've ever seen. This is how every tradesman should should treat all of his or her work. It's what makes our livelihood so satisfying and rewarding. This kind of quality work is what builds permanent relationships between the artisan and their client! By following the example that you have lead in every video that you have done, people like us will have no choice but to display the true value of the the trades. In a world of automation, we will never be replaced. You are one of the best! Do a video on those stands!!
I don't know why I've never thought to use tape with caulk. I tried it with some silicone and it gave it a perfect straight line! Thanks for this video.
Why did it take me 60 years of doing carpentry (as an amateur) to learn this technique? Amazing. The silica sand is the best tip EVER. Hats off to you sir.
This is the first time I've run across Next Level Carpentry and I must say this was an excellent presentation. It was so thoroughly described and explained from beginning (supplies) to end (finished product). As a home handyman and woodworker I will certainly bookmark NLC for future reference.
Thanks Al... I'm glad you found Next Level Carpentry and rate this video 'excellent'. I don't do Instagoogletwitface so the Channel doesn't get the Social Medial exposure other channels do so I rely on sharing by viewers like you who run across it and find the content itself useful. Hope you find other videos here helpful, useful or maybe just interesting... Best, Matt
@@kevinchavez9079 it appears to me that what you do for a living is spew untruths, Kevin. Feel free to convince me otherwise by verifying how the method I show clearly in this video 'was outlawed in about 1980'?! 🤨
It case you missed him emphasizing how sticky urethane is, it's a constant battle and caulk has been known to jump 2 or 3 feet to get on you. Roofing tar can jump 5 feet from unopened can.
Your a true craftsman.do you know how hard it is to find someone like you.that delivers in what he says.also do the best job possible.i was always taught do the best job possible and you.ll never have to look for work.people will come to you.GREAT JOB
Finally a proper and complete video about how to do this using a sausage type gun. Great technique! That’s true professionalism... Amazing and thanks a bunch. 🤙🏽
I truly do try to be as precise as you. I told my wife I would love to work along side you to learn from you... The cool thing is that it feels that way after watching your videos. Thank you for the time you put into making these videos because I really do learn alot from you. Thank you.
You're welcome for the time I spend 'building' videos Malcolm... knowing that viewers like you learn and appreciate the effort is quite rewarding! Best, Matt
AWESOME VIDEO!!!! I must say I have watched hundreds of videos on this topic and you are by far the best speker! You speak with no interuptions like... ummm, aaaa, Hmmm. You video was very enjoyable to watch and I learned so much! I tried to do this last year and it was such a mess! I did not use the tape and you were right it went everywhere!!! I liked and subcribed to your channel gave you a thumbs up and click on the bell so i can get notified when you post more videos. Excelent work! Cant wait to see more! Jim
Welcome to Next Level Carpentry Jim... much appreciated. I've developed and used this exact process for over 20 years and think, with a little practice, you'll have much better mess free results! Best, Matt
Really appreciate this video. I wish I found this a week ago. A girl in a man’s world of home repair and upkeep! Really never knew this was needed! Wish there was a check list for this kind of stuff.
A universal "check list for this kind of stuff" would be of near infinite length. Best is to be observant of conditions in your situation and investigate/educate/address them to prepare for responsible maintenance and repair. Best, Matt
Wow this is a very concise, clear, demonstration of a relatively simple process of taking care of those old unsightly looking expansion joints and making them look like new. Appreciate your sharing your expertise with us. Nice job! Now it’s time for me to implement your processes on my own tired joints!
I'm not a professional carpenter, but my father was and my OCD makes me want to do the job better than what you get from most professionals. Videos like this are exactly what you need to do equal or better than a professional.
A bit lengthy but I did watch until the end I could listen to you for hours. The information is delivered incredibly well. I went from novice to pro results in 20:55. Thank you for all that you do. Ps. I love details. You nailed it.
That is the sweetest joint I’ve ever seen. The last one I did looks like your example in the fail video you reference at the end. The silica sand is key. Thanks for sharing. My next joint will be a great improvement thanks to you 😊
Thanks Steve. You'll do great, I predict! Silica sand is key for preserving the appearance of the tooled sealant but, as you know, masking tape and 409 are key to making it look "the sweetest" in the first place. Good luck!
A master craftsman at work. Kind of a under appreciated task some might say requires not much skill but as one can see , experience at work. Don't mistake efficiency for shortcuts. Whatever this man charges for his work it's worth it.
Glad I found your channel. Trying to maintain my 100 year old house is more than a notion. It’s too expensive and frustrating to find professionals to do small tasks, so I plan to learn from you. I’m a retired professor so I say this from experience, you’re a good teacher and your advance preparation is appreciated. Thanks.
I searched the for a couple hours for a good tutorial on doing this but most are just stupid, nothing I found met my expectations... then luckily weeks later youtube recommends this, thanks
Another Great video...as always. You're hired! A little off topic, as this video centers around finishing, Caulking joint ratio is critical for long term success. Use a 2:1 width to depth ratio to accommodate movement. Create an "hourglass" shape for the sealant profile. Windex has always been my "soapy spray"; I'll give 409 a shot next time.
After the professionals left less than 14 months later it was all holes, falling in and basically garbage. Baby butt smooth seams and the silica trick yielded great finish. Reading the comments it's obvious that some folks aren't aware of the difference between turn and burn, high volume production and while there is a place and time for that method VS the long term set it and forget it or the do it right first and be done method. Slick tricks though, yielded great results. If you're like me and never place ads, never even printed business cards yet stay swamped you probably are the latter, you do the job for similar cost you save overhead and use that for better materials and all you have to do is answer your phone, if you got a sales team and coupons and adverts you might me the first in which case you might not have the time or margin to do this method which is fine but pics or it didn't happen. Enjoyed the video as always also solid technique with amazing results looked gorgeous.
Your well said comments gets "pinned" to the top of the list Gary... thanks SO much for posting it on this controversial video. Controversial with the 'turn and burn pros', that is! Best, Matt
Wondering if Siri was listening to me this afternoon!!! I was telling my wife I wanted to work/ patch a crack that formed in a new porch I was thinking of taking a grinding wheel to it to clean the edges and do a caulk job This was timely and in depth. And neat !!!! Love it
Great video, and you are a great teacher who, I can tell, takes pride in his work; we all should do the same. Thx for sharing your knowledge and great talent!
Great video. I still use my finger on small calking jobs but on anything as long as what you were doing I use an old spoon. Gives a perfect concave shape and sharp edge. Less wear and tear on my poor chapped finger too.
In my younger years I did a lot of caulking as a tuck pointer/brick cleaner, part of the brick layers union, mostly commercial/industrial, windows, doors, expansion joints. We used 2 part caulk in buckets with colors and hardener, and a large metal gun we sucked the caulk out of the bucket and used the appropriate tip for the joint. We always used a primer we brushed on after cleaning with compressed air. We never use masking tape, we use pointing tools to smooth, sometimes soapy water to glaze the caulk. The sand is nice for driveways. We used backing rod if the opening needed filled first. On really large jobs we pumped right out of 50 gal drums. Nice video for these small jobs but I wouldn't use masking tape. One tip, we always had plenty of rags and solvent around to keep our tips and tools clean from that sticky crap, lol.
I love the detail and the explanation so that people like myself can handle a task like this and get quality professional results. I can’t see why anybody in the world would give a thumbs down to this video., If a person has the ability to explain some thing on a fifth grade level, then they are a master at it.
THANK YOU! Finally! I found something that makes a ton of sense to get a perfect job and not cost an arm and a leg. Contrast this method with the expensive self-leveling stuff where: - You buy rope-like material to seal the bottom of the joint first so it doesn't all leak away. - Next you fill it with expensive self-leveling stuff that doesn't end up self-leveling as he said. - Then you do the same with sand except you need more of it because it sinks into the sand.
@@joseomarguerrero9077 well..if you going to watch his videos from THIS country..learn to either ignore his statements, or grow thicker skin!! This is about the LEAST offensive person I have ever seen on here!! So go sell your sasauge someplace else!
Thanks for this video. A bonus on a carpentry channel! I just did this on the expansion joint by my garage door today after watching this video a few times! A very helpful video!
So glad you were able to use this video for success on sealing your garage door expansion joint. Super thanks to YOU for showing your appreciation with a RUclips Super Thanks to the Channel. You're Super Welcome too! Best, Matrt
What a true statement, a system that takes away the pain and misery. Your explanation of why you should not use self leveling caulk cleared up the questions I had. Job well done Matt.
I know EXACTLY what you mean! Not all 'professional jobs' are pathetic but plenty are... enough that I prefer to do my own... Thanks for watching and commenting here. Best, Matt
This was a GREAT video!!! I dont do caulking alot. Im MUCH better at inside caulking than I use to be. Today Im doing outside caulking only for the 2nd time ever. So glad I watched this! The 409 was genius. My caulk job turned out damn near as good as yours! Thanks a million!!!!
I just finished a coffered ceiling in my basement,and I was about to caulk it . But I said to myself let me grab my 14 year old son and teach him how. As simple a task as it is I am going to guess by looking at a lot of peoples bathrooms and trim around their homes most people have no idea on how to do correctly. This was a great video to teach people and I even learned the sand on top of the wet caulk trick from it. I also learned from a mason years ago if your crack you are filling is deeper then normal to fill a potion of it with sand so as not to use a hole tube filling a 2 inch deep separation . Thanks for taking the time of making an excellent video.
Al, I have been working with urethanes for 25-30 yrs, what a universal material for so many tuff situations, it’s an amazing tool to have in the box!!!! Was so nice to see visit your channel and watch a true craftsman at work! Patience and common sense along with having pride in your craft goes along way. Had to chuckle like you at the comment about mitering the tape 😂, thought I was the only anal one that did that... the tricks I’ve learned from so many great tradesman through the years! Thanks for sharing this with so many people.u have helped a lot if the are willing to learn!
Thanks for a kind comment Tony... crazy how many so-called professionals make negative comments on this video. It takes a sensible comment like yours once in awhile to keep me from doubting my methods even though I know they're valid. I'd much rather be called Al than deal with troll comments so no worries! 😁😂😎
You deserve to be in great demand, a professional and correct attitude to all you do and share, many thanks for your continued generosity in sharing your skills and techniques.
Hey Next Level Carpentry, a very professional and succinct video, yet comprehensively covering the topic. Very well done, many thanks for posting, I learned a lot from it.
I've watched 10 of these videos trying to find the best way to go about doing the job. This is by far the best, most detailed and well done. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Keep up the EXCELLENT work
I am a jack of all trades and a master of cosmetic construction finishes. I just want to tell you that you are by far one of the best Carpenter tapers. Taping in itself is a skill.
Thank you for the compliment! It's always nice to hear from someone who takes pride in their work especially when it's detail work that many tend to rush and leave a substandard job behind! Best, Matt
Thanks Matt for a very informative and well-presented video. I use the same technique but adding the silica is an excellent. I am an old school carpenter with a good deal of experience and still learning better ways to execute my trade skills.
Thanks for the tips. I never thought that as a right-hand person, my line approach is an important consideration. Also little details like I can remove the tape right after tooling was appreciated. I also decided to sift the play sand to remove large particles for a nicer result. Your video was a great find, for me, who will only do this DIY task once. 42 meters beigh color patio with 6.5mm x 19mm scored concrete - Canada
Everything you’ve said and shown confirms all my prior research. I was all set to do this right the second time I paid for it, but the only piece I couldn’t find was the part about making it all look good. You’ve definitely provided that missing piece of the puzzle, plus numerous other great tidbits. I know it’s a lot of work, but at $300 a pop and it has only lasted a year or two, it’s well worth doing it right myself. Thank you Matt! You keep this up and I’m going to have to ‘buy you two coffees’ a month on Patreon!
Unstable concrete can lead to premature failure, James, but proper prep, materials and technique are the best chance you have for long-term success. I've done sealing projects that are still good-as-new 15+ years on and others that pull loose from extreme expansion and contraction in 5 years or so. Practice on easier, smaller, less visible areas to get the system down and you'll be a pro in no time! Best, Matt
Thanks for the very instructive video. No a Drama plain language, no unnecessary comment or profanity. Need to do chalking, similar to this except on uneven rough surfaces.
Thank you for this fantastic instructional video! This is the best one I have seen. You explain everything so thoroughly and now I know how to do it the right way. I wish all contractors were as meticulous as you. It’s nice to see someone who takes pride in what they do.
It's all about reputation and warranty: I try to avoid callbacks because I get paid to do it right the first time, if I have to go back I don't get paid and I don't like that! 😉😁😎
Thank you for this! I learned so much and my joints look like they were done by a pro. The tape is a must! Also, the soapy spray made for a super smooth finish. You are the MAN!!!!
Something I’ve been putting off far too long. This has inspired me! Really appreciate the detail in the text, should be no doubts as to what is needed. Many thanks!
You do an outstanding job of telling & showing how to do an excellent way of caulking, leveling and smoothing. A Real Professional Presentation.Many Thanks.
I have recently used your method and surprisingly I am pretty darn proud, it looks great! I have a larger project coming up and hope it will looks as good as this smaller one. Thank you for your time and sharing how to do things the right way!
Don't be too surprised Terry... I imagine you're the kind of person who's able to adapt previous experience to a new skillset in fairly short order when you're shown the way... now that you've had a bit of practice you'll CRUSH that bigger job! Feel free to post links to before/after photos here if you want... Best, Matt
Ok this is exactly the kind of video that I was looking for. You have a great demonstration and are very clear and thorough (without talking too long), and what is most helpful to me, is that you explain your mindset as you’re going through the process. Thank you so much!
You're quite welcome Daniel... give yourself a little grace when you get started to get the hang of how it feels when you're actually working through the steps and I predict you'll get excellent results too!
I just did this yesterday and putting down the masking tape for a clean line made all the difference to the look of the work. The caulk is as runny as advertised. I never would have thought to do this and I am so happy I did. Don't skip this step in your prep work.
I had one "control joint" on a really old house that was just a bit wider than the biggest backer rod, so I used 3 smaller ones and braided them together. Worked great, other than using a ton of caulk. Was there the other day, still looks great after a couple years
Great video. I ended up with this project after take a photo of a bunny rabbit sitting on the steps leading to my driveway which looks faded and ugly lol. I have a few joints that need to be sealed using backer rod etc but your video is very helpful to seal the joint closer to the garage door…. My driveway is sloped downward.. and thanks for the tip for not using self leveling. Thanks again
Absolutely outstanding, as every other video and technique I've seen of yours! I always dread having to caulk joints - always such a mess and difficult to achieve what I would consider a good-looking joint. I love the 409 tip; does that work with other types of caulk, like latex or silicone? Ever do it on interior finishes? I recently started masking caulk edges to step up my game and am hoping this will ratchet it up another notch. I would have liked to see exactly how you finished the T-joint with the mitered tape. =)
Wow! Not only an object lesson in caulking, but a masterpiece of effective instructional communication. Thank you for your wisdom and talent; you have helped me greatly!
Great techniques. One other technique: For a perfect dry tooling process I found years ago that using a small piece of foam with a flat edge produces the same nice smooth result but much faster. I used to seal tall vertical 30’ joints in concrete tilt up buildings. There were sometimes a hundred of those joints. The foam pieces make finishing perfect and really fast. For a taped joint you just come back and lightly feather the edges to flatten that little lip the removed tape makes.
Sound good to me. How long did you have to wait for the caulk to dry before you tool it with the foam piece ? Should the foam have the same width with the joint width? Appreciate your reply.
@@diemvolz4311 I begin tooling immediately. It would help if the foam is a bit wider. When I was doing it commercially I would go to a foam factory and they would roll up a large one inch thick flat sheet and slice it into strips. I just did a pool deck and for some application like that I mask the edges with tape to get a perfect finish.
Holy smokes - I’d bet nobody else in the history of concrete paid that much attention to detail to a caulked joint. And it looks so good now I have to do it... thanks!
Great video, and THANK YOU! It's great to see fine workmanship on something as mundane as concrete caulking. It's what separates the craftsman from the caveman. Tip for using self leveling caulk: use a 2 stage method where non self leveling is the first pass, with the top of it well below flush with the concrete. Once cured, come back with the self leveling pass. This prevents the self leveling from running into any voids under the cracks, which in my experience is the reason for the inconsistent results. Admittedly this single stage method shown here is so good that my idea sounds laborious. As good as this result is, when the self leveling has a good result it is magical. I should mention that of course the self leveling gives best results on level joints. Most driveways have some tilt and the lengthways joints can be too much to prevent the self leveling from pooling at the low end.
Great perspective and information James... thanks for watching and adding value to this video for other viewers by providing them with options to get the best results possible for their unique projects! Best, Matt
@@artgirl-zx2jh I apply dry sand as soon as possible after I finish tooling the sealant to prevent other dirt, dust and detritus from sticking to it first. It doesn't matter how long you leave the sand on either; once the 409 and sealant dry excess sand just blows away. In ideal circumstances though, I prefer to vacuum up excess sand in a day or two to leave a neater jobsite. Best, Matt
Adding sand is an excellent match to the concrete! On wider joints you can also use PVC pipe cut at an angle and use the end of wet empty plastic caulking tubes to scoop out excess caulk to give you a nice even concave
I notice that you are pushing the bead of caulk is pulling it also okay or do you only recommend pushing it ?
I don't really 'recommend' techniques like this but, rather, encourage viewers to see if the way I prefer to do something like this is a good fit or feel to them. Because I'm tooling this sealant AFTER dispensing I find 'pushing' the sealant in situations like this works much better, for me, to fill the joint and keep an eye on dispensing the right amount of sealant. Keep in mind thought that in most every other caulking situation I prefer 'pulling' the bead so I can use the tip of the caulk tube to do the tooling and smooth the bead as I go.
I have watched hundreds and hundreds of videos for the DIY homeowner, and this tutorial is in the top 1% of them all ! THANK YOU for taking your time to make this video, Very well presented... well filmed and well narrated. Thank You again, Sir !
I really appreciate that you'd take the time to post such a grateful comment on this video... thank you!
@@toecutter1015oh shush! 🤨
I second the original comment!!
My kind of guy..... Neat and tidy and knows what he's doing
One of the best DIY videos you will see on RUclips. Well done Matt.
This guy is a true professional !! Neat and clean !!
I did exactly as you said and let me tell you,my husband was so proud of my job,thanks to you !!God bless you.
Q❤
I wish you lived near me ...... You'd get all my project work ...... It's hard to find tradesmen who care about what they're doing ...... Thank you for this class 😁
Two things. The hero of this project is the debris pale. Often forgotten and underappreciated. And the sand treatment has an additional benefit of UV protection. As a handyman, I am usually the second or third guy in and when this seal fails after a decade or so. It makes my job so much more satisfying to replace a neat job like this than repairing the crime scenes I often encounter. Thanks.
"... repairing the crime scenes I often enounter." LOL!! I feel your pain, Mark! Hold the course and keep doing work you can be proud of! 😎 Best, Matt
I saw a completed caulking job like this about 15 to 20 years ago and haven’t seen another since then. It was stunning! I didn’t know about adding the sand after so I thought it was a special caulk. I have found caulking for stucco and I’ve used it, but it never looked this good. What I saw was perfectly uniform and placed nicely between the two sides with clean edges . I couldn’t imagine what magic the installer used to do this, but kept it in the back of my mind. NOW, I know how it was done. It’s positively beautiful! Thank you!!
Maybe you saw a sealing project I did? 😉😁😎
Best, Matt
After having watched several other videos like this where the OP is giving people horrible advice, and misinformation, it's nice to finally see you know what you're talking about. THANK YOU for restoring my faith in 'How to videos'.
As a widow I try to do as many home projects myself so I rely on these videos. Yours are excellent for someone like myself especially showing what products to use and why. Loved it and the results are perfect. Thank you thank you.
Matt, great video. I am a detail oriented guy and appreciate how you have precisely broken the steps into manageable sections and carried out the process unhurriedly. I am sure you have learned from past mistakes. There are millions of videos doing shabby jobs. Thank you.
Perfection. People may have different approaches, but you can't argue with your results. 👍
I've been caulking as a part of my business for 20 years. The 409 trick is just what I've been needing all that time - to make what had already been "good", into excellent. Thanks much.
I've had great results with windex for years.
I'm local 4 for 20 years and u can not get caulk wet first,you should dry tool first,I promise you after it sets up you can pull that whole caulk joint out.It looks very nice but it will not hold up.Make a video to show if it stuck to the concrete,I bet it will pull out with your hand.
@@angieiluvme Not true.
First, you aren't getting the caulk wet at the joint where it adheres to the concrete. I just have a container of windex I dip my latex gloved finger in. All it does is keep the caulk from sticking to your finger or glove so it slides over smoothly and leaves a perfect finish. None of it is staying behind, puddling, or mixing with the caulk in any way to change the way it adheres to the concrete.
We just use a spray bottle with water and a shot of dish soap like Dawn works great and cheaper than 409 great video Thx
I was about to go out and caulk my very large 3-car garage driveway and thought I'd better get advice on how to do it properly. SO glad I saw this video, or I would have made a huge mess of my project. You're the Man!!!
Now that's a how-to video. Well explained and did not miss a thing. I came here to see how to tool a sealant in an expansion joint, and got exactly what I was after. Champion presenting as well.
Matt, I love your attention to detail, there are so many people these days doing tasks like this lazy and quick. As others have stated, one of the best caulking videos ever. Keep up the good work!
I 100% agree but on the other hand now, there are so many people (customers) that do not appreciate (quality) work and the only detail they are interested in is price. 👉 (Customer) Oh just slap some caulk over it, it will be ok, the other caulk stayed on for a long time, as long as it doesn't leak water around my windows I don't care. These customers I usually walk away from if they are just price driven.
I'm really disappointed that you haven't done a video on those great out feed stands that you built, but I have returned to this video because it's sooo good! You're are one of the most conscientious carpenters that I've ever seen. This is how every tradesman should should treat all of his or her work. It's what makes our livelihood so satisfying and rewarding. This kind of quality work is what builds permanent relationships between the artisan and their client! By following the example that you have lead in every video that you have done, people like us will have no choice but to display the true value of the the trades. In a world of automation, we will never be replaced. You are one of the best! Do a video on those stands!!
I don't know why I've never thought to use tape with caulk. I tried it with some silicone and it gave it a perfect straight line! Thanks for this video.
A bit of relatively inexpensive masking tape is a real game changer, that's a for-sure! 😎
Why did it take me 60 years of doing carpentry (as an amateur) to learn this technique? Amazing. The silica sand is the best tip EVER. Hats off to you sir.
I use the Quickete Concrete caulk a lot and never thought of the silica sand either.
You're not alone.
Try a long roller rod with toilet paper on it. Keeps it from tracking on your car, etc.
This is the first time I've run across Next Level Carpentry and I must say this was an excellent presentation. It was so thoroughly described and explained from beginning (supplies) to end (finished product). As a home handyman and woodworker I will certainly bookmark NLC for future reference.
Thanks Al... I'm glad you found Next Level Carpentry and rate this video 'excellent'. I don't do Instagoogletwitface so the Channel doesn't get the Social Medial exposure other channels do so I rely on sharing by viewers like you who run across it and find the content itself useful. Hope you find other videos here helpful, useful or maybe just interesting... Best, Matt
This one just showed up for me, too, today. I need to have someone (my son?) do some work for me, and this looks like a great tutorial!
You are contaminating the caulk joint with 409 soap and water was outlawed in about 1980 I do this for a living
@@kevinchavez9079 it appears to me that what you do for a living is spew untruths, Kevin. Feel free to convince me otherwise by verifying how the method I show clearly in this video 'was outlawed in about 1980'?! 🤨
It case you missed him emphasizing how sticky urethane is, it's a constant battle and caulk has been known to jump 2 or 3 feet to get on you. Roofing tar can jump 5 feet from unopened can.
Your a true craftsman.do you know how hard it is to find someone like you.that delivers in what he says.also do the best job possible.i was always taught do the best job possible and you.ll never have to look for work.people will come to you.GREAT JOB
I had no idea how to do this job (as well as a professional) Now I do...you're a good teacher and a fine craftsman. Subscribed ✔ ✅
Cool! Thanks for the sub! Best, Matt
Great video from a real pro
I'm so used to average content on RUclips that this caught me really off guard. Thank you so much for helping me on my DIY project.
Finally a proper and complete video about how to do this using a sausage type gun. Great technique! That’s true professionalism... Amazing and thanks a bunch. 🤙🏽
I truly do try to be as precise as you. I told my wife I would love to work along side you to learn from you... The cool thing is that it feels that way after watching your videos. Thank you for the time you put into making these videos because I really do learn alot from you. Thank you.
You're welcome for the time I spend 'building' videos Malcolm... knowing that viewers like you learn and appreciate the effort is quite rewarding! Best, Matt
Man...are y'all gonna hold hands and eat some hotdogs together or what?
Still helping folks 4 years on. Appreciate the video, going to put this knowledge to work in a month or so!
That's the nicest calk job I have ever seen. Glad to see someone take pride in their work.
Thanks for sayin', Tim... much appreciated! Best, Matt
AWESOME VIDEO!!!! I must say I have watched hundreds of videos on this topic and you are by far the best speker! You speak with no interuptions like... ummm, aaaa, Hmmm. You video was very enjoyable to watch and I learned so much! I tried to do this last year and it was such a mess! I did not use the tape and you were right it went everywhere!!! I liked and subcribed to your channel gave you a thumbs up and click on the bell so i can get notified when you post more videos. Excelent work! Cant wait to see more!
Jim
Welcome to Next Level Carpentry Jim... much appreciated. I've developed and used this exact process for over 20 years and think, with a little practice, you'll have much better mess free results! Best, Matt
Really appreciate this video. I wish I found this a week ago. A girl in a man’s world of home repair and upkeep! Really never knew this was needed! Wish there was a check list for this kind of stuff.
A universal "check list for this kind of stuff" would be of near infinite length. Best is to be observant of conditions in your situation and investigate/educate/address them to prepare for responsible maintenance and repair.
Best,
Matt
Wow. I don't know why or how RUclips knew I would like this, but excellent job. Concise, and very useful. No wasted words, and excellent vocabulary.
His advice for managing wet caulk is incredible. I liked his advice on slipping in the tip and knee protection. Need to save the knees.
I just completed my joint (I've been putting off far too long) using this method and it just works! I'd buy you a drink if I could. Thank you!
Glad to hear it... and you're most welcome!
Wow this is a very concise, clear, demonstration of a relatively simple process of taking care of those old unsightly looking expansion joints and making them look like new. Appreciate your sharing your expertise with us. Nice job! Now it’s time for me to implement your processes on my own tired joints!
What is the best 2 part epo sealer for stopping leaks that seem imopxy
I'm not a professional carpenter, but my father was and my OCD makes me want to do the job better than what you get from most professionals. Videos like this are exactly what you need to do equal or better than a professional.
You live up to your name, "Next Level" it truly is
A bit lengthy but I did watch until the end I could listen to you for hours. The information is delivered incredibly well. I went from novice to pro results in 20:55. Thank you for all that you do. Ps. I love details. You nailed it.
This could an episode of This Old house. Well done!
That is the sweetest joint I’ve ever seen. The last one I did looks like your example in the fail video you reference at the end. The silica sand is key. Thanks for sharing. My next joint will be a great improvement thanks to you 😊
Thanks Steve. You'll do great, I predict! Silica sand is key for preserving the appearance of the tooled sealant but, as you know, masking tape and 409 are key to making it look "the sweetest" in the first place. Good luck!
A master craftsman at work. Kind of a under appreciated task some might say requires not much skill but as one can see , experience at work.
Don't mistake efficiency for shortcuts. Whatever this man charges for his work it's worth it.
Glad I found your channel. Trying to maintain my 100 year old house is more than a notion. It’s too expensive and frustrating to find professionals to do small tasks, so I plan to learn from you. I’m a retired professor so I say this from experience, you’re a good teacher and your advance preparation is appreciated. Thanks.
I searched the for a couple hours for a good tutorial on doing this but most are just stupid, nothing I found met my expectations... then luckily weeks later youtube recommends this, thanks
Another Great video...as always. You're hired! A little off topic, as this video centers around finishing, Caulking joint ratio is critical for long term success. Use a 2:1 width to depth ratio to accommodate movement. Create an "hourglass" shape for the sealant profile. Windex has always been my "soapy spray"; I'll give 409 a shot next time.
After the professionals left less than 14 months later it was all holes, falling in and basically garbage. Baby butt smooth seams and the silica trick yielded great finish. Reading the comments it's obvious that some folks aren't aware of the difference between turn and burn, high volume production and while there is a place and time for that method VS the long term set it and forget it or the do it right first and be done method. Slick tricks though, yielded great results. If you're like me and never place ads, never even printed business cards yet stay swamped you probably are the latter, you do the job for similar cost you save overhead and use that for better materials and all you have to do is answer your phone, if you got a sales team and coupons and adverts you might me the first in which case you might not have the time or margin to do this method which is fine but pics or it didn't happen. Enjoyed the video as always also solid technique with amazing results looked gorgeous.
Your well said comments gets "pinned" to the top of the list Gary... thanks SO much for posting it on this controversial video. Controversial with the 'turn and burn pros', that is! Best, Matt
Wondering if Siri was listening to me this afternoon!!! I was telling my wife I wanted to work/ patch a crack that formed in a new porch I was thinking of taking a grinding wheel to it to clean the edges and do a caulk job
This was timely and in depth. And neat !!!! Love it
One of the best DIY videos I have ever seen!! Thank you Next Level Carpentry!!
Great video, and you are a great teacher who, I can tell, takes pride in his work; we all should do the same. Thx for sharing your knowledge and great talent!
I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who miters my tape corners! I can point to this video to show people I'm not crazy.
35 plus years and I'm still learning,,,,Thanks Brother !
A true master never stops learning
Great video. I still use my finger on small calking jobs but on anything as long as what you were doing I use an old spoon. Gives a perfect concave shape and sharp edge. Less wear and tear on my poor chapped finger too.
By far the best DIY video for caulking/sealing driveway/sidewalk joints 💯
In my younger years I did a lot of caulking as a tuck pointer/brick cleaner, part of the brick layers union, mostly commercial/industrial, windows, doors, expansion joints. We used 2 part caulk in buckets with colors and hardener, and a large metal gun we sucked the caulk out of the bucket and used the appropriate tip for the joint. We always used a primer we brushed on after cleaning with compressed air. We never use masking tape, we use pointing tools to smooth, sometimes soapy water to glaze the caulk. The sand is nice for driveways. We used backing rod if the opening needed filled first. On really large jobs we pumped right out of 50 gal drums. Nice video for these small jobs but I wouldn't use masking tape. One tip, we always had plenty of rags and solvent around to keep our tips and tools clean from that sticky crap, lol.
I love the detail and the explanation so that people like myself can handle a task like this and get quality professional results. I can’t see why anybody in the world would give a thumbs down to this video., If a person has the ability to explain some thing on a fifth grade level, then they are a master at it.
THANK YOU! Finally! I found something that makes a ton of sense to get a perfect job and not cost an arm and a leg.
Contrast this method with the expensive self-leveling stuff where:
- You buy rope-like material to seal the bottom of the joint first so it doesn't all leak away.
- Next you fill it with expensive self-leveling stuff that doesn't end up self-leveling as he said.
- Then you do the same with sand except you need more of it because it sinks into the sand.
I like your beginning comment. A master carpenter can do everything in regards to building.
That' quite true Quietwarf but seems to escape people in an age where so many expect apps to do so much for them!🙄😎 Best, Matt
That's the best-caulked joint I've ever seen.
Thanks Tom... cool thing is that with a bit of practice anyone, really, can get results just as good! Best, Matt
Bob Ross.. Caulking ,Sausage
Caulk gun sorry I never went to school
Here in the U.S but words misspelled
Can be offensive..
Jose Omar Guerrero r
TRUE !!!
@@joseomarguerrero9077 well..if you going to watch his videos from THIS country..learn to either ignore his statements, or grow thicker skin!! This is about the LEAST offensive person I have ever seen on here!! So go sell your sasauge someplace else!
Thanks for this video. A bonus on a carpentry channel! I just did this on the expansion joint by my garage door today after watching this video a few times! A very helpful video!
So glad you were able to use this video for success on sealing your garage door expansion joint. Super thanks to YOU for showing your appreciation with a RUclips Super Thanks to the Channel. You're Super Welcome too!
Best,
Matrt
What a true statement, a system that takes away the pain and misery. Your explanation of why you should not use self leveling caulk cleared up the questions I had. Job well done Matt.
I've seen plenty too many lousy professionally installed caulk jobs in my time. NLC yours looks great to me. Great video.
I know EXACTLY what you mean! Not all 'professional jobs' are pathetic but plenty are... enough that I prefer to do my own... Thanks for watching and commenting here. Best, Matt
This was a GREAT video!!! I dont do caulking alot. Im MUCH better at inside caulking than I use to be. Today Im doing outside caulking only for the 2nd time ever. So glad I watched this! The 409 was genius. My caulk job turned out damn near as good as yours! Thanks a million!!!!
You're welcome a million!
I thought I knew how to caulk. You taught me something today, Thanks.
I just finished a coffered ceiling in my basement,and I was about to caulk it . But I said to myself let me grab my 14 year old son and teach him how. As simple a task as it is I am going to guess by looking at a lot of peoples bathrooms and trim around their homes most people have no idea on how to do correctly. This was a great video to teach people and I even learned the sand on top of the wet caulk trick from it. I also learned from a mason years ago if your crack you are filling is deeper then normal to fill a potion of it with sand so as not to use a hole tube filling a 2 inch deep separation . Thanks for taking the time of making an excellent video.
Al, I have been working with urethanes for 25-30 yrs, what a universal material for so many tuff situations, it’s an amazing tool to have in the box!!!! Was so nice to see visit your channel and watch a true craftsman at work! Patience and common sense along with having pride in your craft goes along way.
Had to chuckle like you at the comment about mitering the tape 😂, thought I was the only anal one that did that... the tricks I’ve learned from so many great tradesman through the years!
Thanks for sharing this with so many people.u have helped a lot if the are willing to learn!
Sorry about brain fart on your name Matt....
Thanks for a kind comment Tony... crazy how many so-called professionals make negative comments on this video. It takes a sensible comment like yours once in awhile to keep me from doubting my methods even though I know they're valid. I'd much rather be called Al than deal with troll comments so no worries! 😁😂😎
You deserve to be in great demand, a professional and correct attitude to all you do and share, many thanks for your continued generosity in sharing your skills and techniques.
Hey Next Level Carpentry, a very professional and succinct video, yet comprehensively covering the topic. Very well done, many thanks for posting, I learned a lot from it.
Over 2 M views and 4 years old still gonna say you are an expert in teaching and skill level
And all that from a carpentry channel... go figure, right? 😎
Thanks for watching and commenting on this one, Bryan... much appreciated!
Great job Matt, I never used sand at the end of my caulking joints but that is a neat trick. All the best. Al from Maryland.
I've watched 10 of these videos trying to find the best way to go about doing the job. This is by far the best, most detailed and well done. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Keep up the EXCELLENT work
I am a jack of all trades and a master of cosmetic construction finishes. I just want to tell you that you are by far one of the best Carpenter tapers.
Taping in itself is a skill.
Thank you for the compliment! It's always nice to hear from someone who takes pride in their work especially when it's detail work that many tend to rush and leave a substandard job behind! Best, Matt
Next Level Carpentry .. Been fixing mistakes my whole life, A lot of my own. 🙃
@@SwampDonkey64 sounds like you earned a degree from M. I. T. too! Mistakes I've Tried that is! 😂😂😎
Thanks Matt for a very informative and well-presented video. I use the same technique but adding the silica is an excellent. I am an old school carpenter with a good deal of experience and still learning better ways to execute my trade skills.
Most Excellent! May you find joy in your learning new things and pride in your workmanship!
Watched the pro do mine, he "tooled' it with a round tip cake icing knife. It was a work of art.
Thanks for the tips. I never thought that as a right-hand person, my line approach is an important consideration. Also little details like I can remove the tape right after tooling was appreciated. I also decided to sift the play sand to remove large particles for a nicer result. Your video was a great find, for me, who will only do this DIY task once. 42 meters beigh color patio with 6.5mm x 19mm scored concrete - Canada
I bet you'll do great with only a little bit of practice... good luck!
Everything you’ve said and shown confirms all my prior research. I was all set to do this right the second time I paid for it, but the only piece I couldn’t find was the part about making it all look good. You’ve definitely provided that missing piece of the puzzle, plus numerous other great tidbits. I know it’s a lot of work, but at $300 a pop and it has only lasted a year or two, it’s well worth doing it right myself. Thank you Matt! You keep this up and I’m going to have to ‘buy you two coffees’ a month on Patreon!
Unstable concrete can lead to premature failure, James, but proper prep, materials and technique are the best chance you have for long-term success. I've done sealing projects that are still good-as-new 15+ years on and others that pull loose from extreme expansion and contraction in 5 years or so. Practice on easier, smaller, less visible areas to get the system down and you'll be a pro in no time! Best, Matt
Thanks for the very instructive video. No a Drama plain language, no unnecessary comment or profanity. Need to do chalking, similar to this except on uneven rough surfaces.
Thank you for this fantastic instructional video! This is the best one I have seen. You explain everything so thoroughly and now I know how to do it the right way. I wish all contractors were as meticulous as you. It’s nice to see someone who takes pride in what they do.
It's all about reputation and warranty: I try to avoid callbacks because I get paid to do it right the first time, if I have to go back I don't get paid and I don't like that! 😉😁😎
I've watched maybe twelve RUclips videos on this topic, and this is by far the best quality patch I've seen.
Thank you for this! I learned so much and my joints look like they were done by a pro. The tape is a must! Also, the soapy spray made for a super smooth finish. You are the MAN!!!!
Something I’ve been putting off far too long. This has inspired me! Really appreciate the detail in the text, should be no doubts as to what is needed. Many thanks!
You do an outstanding job of telling & showing how to do an excellent way of caulking, leveling and smoothing. A Real Professional Presentation.Many Thanks.
You're most welcome George... it's rewarding to do next level work whenever possible! 😎
I have recently used your method and surprisingly I am pretty darn proud, it looks great! I have a larger project coming up and hope it will looks as good as this smaller one. Thank you for your time and sharing how to do things the right way!
Don't be too surprised Terry... I imagine you're the kind of person who's able to adapt previous experience to a new skillset in fairly short order when you're shown the way... now that you've had a bit of practice you'll CRUSH that bigger job! Feel free to post links to before/after photos here if you want... Best, Matt
This has gotta be the cleanest caulk join I've ever seen!
And it only took 6hrs. ;)
Ok this is exactly the kind of video that I was looking for. You have a great demonstration and are very clear and thorough (without talking too long), and what is most helpful to me, is that you explain your mindset as you’re going through the process. Thank you so much!
You're quite welcome Daniel... give yourself a little grace when you get started to get the hang of how it feels when you're actually working through the steps and I predict you'll get excellent results too!
Matt, by far the best caulking video I’ve seen.
Many many thanks - love your channel 🤗
Thanks for this tutorial it is a very good lesson. I need to do this at my house and will follow your instructions to the letter! ~Pat
I just did this yesterday and putting down the masking tape for a clean line made all the difference to the look of the work. The caulk is as runny as advertised. I never would have thought to do this and I am so happy I did. Don't skip this step in your prep work.
I had one "control joint" on a really old house that was just a bit wider than the biggest backer rod, so I used 3 smaller ones and braided them together. Worked great, other than using a ton of caulk. Was there the other day, still looks great after a couple years
Thanks for the video. Just took care of my driveway's old rotted out expansion joints and they look phenomenal thanks to you!
How the heck did you remove them? Mine are stuck completely
@@floridagirl9064 just a lot of hard work. Had to use a small chisel, pliers and elbow grease. Mine were hard plastic that had splintered and broken.
Great video. I ended up with this project after take a photo of a bunny rabbit sitting on the steps leading to my driveway which looks faded and ugly lol. I have a few joints that need to be sealed using backer rod etc but your video is very helpful to seal the joint closer to the garage door…. My driveway is sloped downward.. and thanks for the tip for not using self leveling. Thanks again
The best sealing method I have seen so far.
Absolutely outstanding, as every other video and technique I've seen of yours! I always dread having to caulk joints - always such a mess and difficult to achieve what I would consider a good-looking joint. I love the 409 tip; does that work with other types of caulk, like latex or silicone? Ever do it on interior finishes? I recently started masking caulk edges to step up my game and am hoping this will ratchet it up another notch. I would have liked to see exactly how you finished the T-joint with the mitered tape. =)
Wow! Not only an object lesson in caulking, but a masterpiece of effective instructional communication. Thank you for your wisdom and talent; you have helped me greatly!
this guys attention to detail is almost hard to comprehend
THE WAY OF GOOD' INTELLIGENT' PEOPLE.!!!!
Absolutely perfectly done and I agree with all your techniques. Keep up the good work master carpenter!! 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱
Great video instructions ! Wish he can come and do my patio joints !
Well on the good end, I can see that you’re a perfectionist,, and that’s a good ‘trait’ to have...!!!
Great techniques. One other technique: For a perfect dry tooling process I found years ago that using a small piece of foam with a flat edge produces the same nice smooth result but much faster. I used to seal tall vertical 30’ joints in concrete tilt up buildings. There were sometimes a hundred of those joints. The foam pieces make finishing perfect and really fast. For a taped joint you just come back and lightly feather the edges to flatten that little lip the removed tape makes.
Sound good to me. How long did you have to wait for the caulk to dry before you tool it with the foam piece ? Should the foam have the same width with the joint width? Appreciate your reply.
@@diemvolz4311 I begin tooling immediately. It would help if the foam is a bit wider. When I was doing it commercially I would go to a foam factory and they would roll up a large one inch thick flat sheet and slice it into strips. I just did a pool deck and for some application like that I mask the edges with tape to get a perfect finish.
@@toecutter1015the real professionals use foam. Caulking knife just can’t get the same perfect feathered edge on concrete.
Holy smokes - I’d bet nobody else in the history of concrete paid that much attention to detail to a caulked joint. And it looks so good now I have to do it... thanks!
Great video, and THANK YOU! It's great to see fine workmanship on something as mundane as concrete caulking. It's what separates the craftsman from the caveman.
Tip for using self leveling caulk: use a 2 stage method where non self leveling is the first pass, with the top of it well below flush with the concrete. Once cured, come back with the self leveling pass. This prevents the self leveling from running into any voids under the cracks, which in my experience is the reason for the inconsistent results.
Admittedly this single stage method shown here is so good that my idea sounds laborious. As good as this result is, when the self leveling has a good result it is magical. I should mention that of course the self leveling gives best results on level joints. Most driveways have some tilt and the lengthways joints can be too much to prevent the self leveling from pooling at the low end.
Great perspective and information James... thanks for watching and adding value to this video for other viewers by providing them with options to get the best results possible for their unique projects! Best, Matt
0
Regarding the sand at the end, do you pour it on when wet and leave to dry or how does that work - Thanks!
@@artgirl-zx2jh I apply dry sand as soon as possible after I finish tooling the sealant to prevent other dirt, dust and detritus from sticking to it first. It doesn't matter how long you leave the sand on either; once the 409 and sealant dry excess sand just blows away. In ideal circumstances though, I prefer to vacuum up excess sand in a day or two to leave a neater jobsite. Best, Matt
Awesome job,I never thought to put the sand but great idea.peace
Adding sand is an excellent match to the concrete!
On wider joints you can also use PVC pipe cut at an angle and use the end of wet empty plastic caulking tubes to scoop out excess caulk to give you a nice even concave
Surface.
I bought the materials you recommended and followed the process and it turned out GREAT! And the use of 409 makes all the difference. Thank you!