Check out the entire deck build time-lapse here - th-cam.com/video/SehPijelC4g/w-d-xo.html Thanks for watching! and don't forget to Subscribe to my channel! bit.ly/SubscribeToTheFixer
So glad that it is a project I will never have to worry about. Can't wait to see what you do with the deck. Another reno series. I'm ready. Thanks for sharing.
I started my landscape contracting business in 1998. My first install job a few years later netted me enough to buy that Makita electric jack hammer. My crew and I used that tool constantly. It was good to see it again.
Yes! No worries, I saved all the rocks. They went back to their home in the woods but I put them in a place I could grab them if I have a project I could use them for. The concrete will get recycled. Thanks for watching, Suzanne!
You are cracking me up with this one! Thank you! I have similar issues with an old house I just bought, so I will rely on your content to help me for sure 👍
I know this comment is two years old but I’m currently trying to fix a deck that was built over stairs like these. It collected humidity and water underneath it and rotted the wood. Because the concrete is right underneath, there’s no way to replace the support that the deck planks would typically be nailed to. It’s a whole mess.
Yes! I couldn't believe the size of some of the rocks AND how close some were to the surface of the stairs... like 1/4 inch at some points! Thanks for checking out the video!
@@EdwardTHC Maybe; would be interesting to do experiments. Rebar strength is very directional - could be easy to split the concrete parallel to rebar. Either way, I think the rock inclusions are much better because rebar would probably shorten the life of the stairs by rusting after decades.
I look forward to all your videos, but the makeover ones are my favorite. You explain everything so I can understand what you're doing. And you are meticulously clean. Thanks for teaching me how to DIY.
- W O W ! ! ! Apparently, you like "the process" of a task. Lots & Lots of hard work. Luv, luv, luv your attention to detail. It's second to none. Thanx 4 sharing.
Maybe a dumb question, but why didn't you just build a deck OVER the existing concrete steps? It looks stable, doesn't appear to be sinking or the sidewalk pulling away from it or the porch structure itself pulling away from the house.
interesting I did my steps at my front door and painted them white too almost 2 years ago still looks like it did when I did it. did they get alot of shade.
So funny bc the video where you repainted the steps just popped up yesterday, and now this one popped up today. I'm like, "Wait, what?? He just repainted! Oh, 2019." Lol.
O, I was hoping you would do a brick sided landing, but will be following your lead as I have also used your video to fix my front porch steps temporary .
Also when using a jackhammer on concrete, be mindful that if there are any windows or glass doors in the immediate surrounding you might want to shield them with plywood so they don't shatter if they are hit with a chunk of concrete.
I wouldn’t use stone because water would go right through and into the foundation. When working close to the home and foundation, hard soil, grade smooth, and pitch it away from the house so water flows away to the street
I started the same way. Didn't realize what I was up against with just a sledge and a hammer drill. It was like hitting a boulder with a brooms stick. Going to rent a jackhammer this weekend.
I’m doin it without a permit. U think I’ll be ok? I’m wondering how close I can build my deck to the sidewalk don’t know if there’s any restrictions on that
That was some heavy work. Don’t forget to seal up between the sill and foundation. I’ve been using caulking and then Protecto Wrap with some construction adhesive. Waterproofs and helps to keep bugs out.
Good job. I've done alot of work with jack hammers, I've demod alot of concrete. Walls, slabs, so on. At first when you pulled out the sledge I laughed and thought you'd get a bigger tool. Then you brought out a small battery powered rotary hammer and I just about died of laughter. Just for future reference, when you are demoing concrete slabs/structures like this, there will almost always be some type of footing or concrete that is below grade at least 6 inches or more. You want to start at the lowest edge of the stairs and dig out the dirt from around the concrete until you find the bottom. Then you can use a jack hammer. (The Makita you used is the smallest tool I recommend) you want to break off larger pieces of concrete all the way to the bottom so it breaks off cleanly. Otherwise you will make a bunch of debris that needs to be cleared. It's hard work no matter how you do it, but using anything smaller than that Makita is pointless and counterproductive.
'Bite the bullet and rent the big machine.' Hahahahahahaha you're funny! This would be a DYI I'd pay someone to do! Big Kuddos to you! I have similar steps but it is 'hollowed' out, that was massive in bulk. Lol will one of your future videos be the install of a rock garden? To me that would have been a find! Separate out for future use. Again big shout out to you for getting the job done!
I have to do this starting tomorrow for my house, I’ve seen other videos where they simply notched out the floor joist and attach them to the steps I might just do that to save myself having to bust up the steps. Or maybe just bust up the first step, so the floor joist can fit
@@brandonmitchell9489 lol you thinking about doing it that way also? I’m driving right now but just TH-cam building deck over concrete stairs, I still haven’t busted up my steps and still not sure which way I’m going to do it! Only thing that worries me is that the wood could possibly rot being in constant contact with the concrete, I guess it depends if it’s pressure treated and if there’s going to be an overhang
Super excited to see how you install the new deck. Glad you mentioned 8-1-1 and digging safely! I'm sure it's gonna be great though; all your work is great. Not sure why I'm so excited about building...maybe I should investigate? 🤔🌻🌼⛏️⚒️👷
As I watched this video, I learned the inexorable truth, that there's no way around this monster of a task. I have an old and chipped 8 step concrete stair case that is gonna have to go to in order to sell our home. You, my friend, must have the patience of Methuselah. I'm exhausted just watching. Great work though. Kudos.
Yes, this was a TON of work! I was very happy with the final results though. If you haven't seen the deck build and are interested, here is the video. th-cam.com/video/SehPijelC4g/w-d-xo.html Thanks for watching and for the comment!!
I'm going to "thumbs up" this video and I'm going to do it 👉 right now. LOL Seriously, though- that looked like a lot of work. Satisfying seeing it done, though! 😀 Can't wait to see the deck being done 😁
I'm afraid to use impact instruments because I fear the concrete/mortar are not up to par in this 85yr old home. It was put together with spit and ceiling wax so I can't take the chance. I tore up the basement floor with a claw hammer to replace the floor drain. It was so easy I ended up tearing up enough to put in a bathroom. However I can't risk having my stoop cave in my basement wall with those vibrations. I'm thinkin of drilling some holes in the steps and letting them fill with water so they may splinter and crack when it freezes.
Awesome Dude! First couple hits with the sledge 🤣. I was surprised how well the little impact hammer worked. obviously not big enough for this job. Nice out takes at the end. 👍
Great question! All of the rocks went back to there home in the woods. The concrete is stacked up behind my shed on a tarp until a friend of mine helps me haul it to get recycled. I hate moving things more than once but sometimes it works out like that. Thanks for watching, JD!
Hey, Rolando! All of the rocks went back to their home in the woods. The concrete is stacked up behind my shed on a tarp until a friend of mine helps me haul it to get recycled. (my truck is not heavy duty enough) I hate moving things more than once but sometimes it works out like that. Thanks for watching
I’m about to sledgehammer or electric tool the concrete out of my front porch. It’s all cracked up all the steps part of it’s cracked all the way through from putting salt down in the winter time. Big mistake! But I already have metal rails so, I’m just going to go ahead and build a set a freestanding steps that can be moved over, put in position and shimmed to level. I already have a huge concrete slab porch that’s covered with the roof minor just the three steps going up to the porch that are concrete, and most of it busted in half and crumbled away and ready to come out. This should be a fairly easy project.
For nearly the same price as renting you can buy a cheapo electric jackhammer off Amazon. If it lasts two for two jobs, which mine has lasted for over two dozen so far with zero issues, it pays for itself.
Did I hear you say Massachusetts...I grew up in Springfield...I don't hear a Boston accent so w. mass...must be home...This old house help us get our house in order...
Haha honestly if I wasn't filming this I probably would have just rented the jack hammer... Just trying to show everyone, though it may take longer, there is more than one way to do things. It isn't "the wrong way" if it works. 😁👍. Thanks for watching, Rosie!!
Respiratory Protection!!! You are a father now and can't take so many chances with your health. You should be wearing a well fitting N95 NIOSH approved mask for protection against silica dust. Baby Fixer and Mrs Fixer need you healthy. 😷😷😷
Yup! July 2019. It's pretty crazy, it feels like as much as the past 2 years have felt like they have dragged by, they have also flown by! Weird... anyway, thanks for watching as always, Toni!!
Post doing this, did you feel like adrenaline was still running in your hands and arms (from the vibrations)? The demo work seemed exhausting! PS: The bloopers are hilarious, "I should just go home, oh, wait..." :)
Haha yes! It was like when you get off a boat, you still feel like you are on the water for a while. I could barely walk after these two days, it was so much work! Thanks for letting me know about the bloopers. I have plenty of those for each video, maybe I will make it a thing. 😁👍. Thanks for watching, Ivan!
Just did the same thing last week. Your concrete looks "soft" compared to mine - it was full of 1-2" really hard rocks. A few hours with a rental jackhammer did the trick, but boy was I sore the next day!
![เปิดคำทำนาย นอสตราดามุส - บาบา วานก้า ปี 2025 คนทั่วโลกต้องเจออะไรบ้าง? | แฉ 11 ธ.ค. 67 [2/3] |GMM25](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xmTIKWJUMPM/mqdefault.jpg)
Check out the entire deck build time-lapse here - th-cam.com/video/SehPijelC4g/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for watching! and don't forget to Subscribe to my channel! bit.ly/SubscribeToTheFixer
So glad that it is a project I will never have to worry about. Can't wait to see what you do with the deck. Another reno series. I'm ready. Thanks for sharing.
Yes I am pretty sure I will be doing a few videos on this deck. Thanks for watching as always! Stay tuned!!
I love how you clean up your debris
I started my landscape contracting business in 1998. My first install job a few years later netted me enough to buy that Makita electric jack hammer. My crew and I used that tool constantly. It was good to see it again.
Some of those rocks would have been great for landscaping!
Yes! No worries, I saved all the rocks. They went back to their home in the woods but I put them in a place I could grab them if I have a project I could use them for. The concrete will get recycled. Thanks for watching, Suzanne!
The rocks inside are so cool, you can use them around your yard
You are cracking me up with this one! Thank you! I have similar issues with an old house I just bought, so I will rely on your content to help me for sure 👍
I love how he cleans up. I wish my neighbors would do the same.
This may be a dumb question but why not just put the new wood stairs/deck over top of the concrete steps that were there?
No not stupid I’ve saw another building TH-camr do that
I know this comment is two years old but I’m currently trying to fix a deck that was built over stairs like these. It collected humidity and water underneath it and rotted the wood. Because the concrete is right underneath, there’s no way to replace the support that the deck planks would typically be nailed to. It’s a whole mess.
"And there's another car. Let's just go home... oh wait, I am home." LOL definitely include the funny bloopers at the end when you have some.
😂 It was torture filming out front. I will keep the bloopers in mind for the future. I got plenty of them. 😁. Thanks for watching, Jay!
That was a bomb-proof set of concrete stairs; interesting use of rocks.
Yes! I couldn't believe the size of some of the rocks AND how close some were to the surface of the stairs... like 1/4 inch at some points! Thanks for checking out the video!
"Filler" rocks and stone - an old trick used by old-style masons to cut down on the amount of concrete needed to set the stairs.
The rocks added as filler actually made this easier to demo. It would of been more difficult if it was a monolithic pour with rebar.
I thought the same thing. I've never see concrete done quite like that. It made me wonder how they set the shape of the staircase... wooden boards? 🤔
@@EdwardTHC Maybe; would be interesting to do experiments. Rebar strength is very directional - could be easy to split the concrete parallel to rebar. Either way, I think the rock inclusions are much better because rebar would probably shorten the life of the stairs by rusting after decades.
I have been waiting for this video! I'm excited to see the deck and the whole process.
I look forward to all your videos, but the makeover ones are my favorite. You explain everything so I can understand what you're doing. And you are meticulously clean. Thanks for teaching me how to DIY.
Watching from New Hampshire
- W O W ! ! ! Apparently, you like "the process" of a task. Lots & Lots of hard work. Luv, luv, luv your attention to detail. It's second to none. Thanx 4 sharing.
Hey! I guess I never put it into words but that is a great way of saying it. I do love the process! Thanks for watching the video!
That looks like it was a lot of hard work!! Also the intro and outro were funny haha
Can't wait to see the upcoming videos for this project!
Maybe a dumb question, but why didn't you just build a deck OVER the existing concrete steps? It looks stable, doesn't appear to be sinking or the sidewalk pulling away from it or the porch structure itself pulling away from the house.
excellent video, i have to do this. saved me the trials of stepping up to the right tools.
Don't pick-up the concrete twice. When you break it up throw it in the wheelbarrow.
I learnt that the hard way
So, going to put in a covered front patio with a swing/park bench and railing?
My parents have a huge trex deck!! They love it. It's the best way to go. My mom says the house will fall down before the deck does LOL.
Yes! I love Trex! I have installed it for years but never at my own house. Looking forward to finally installing it for myself!
Trex only lasts as long as you don't have squirrels, raccoons and chipmunks all teething on it - otherwise, gnaw marks will show up on Trex.
I wouldn’t want the steps there either. Great job. Where there is a will, there is a way!!
“Oh wait I’m home” 😂😂😂😂 It seems it need a lot of work, good luck 👍
So glad you went to using a jackhammer
interesting I did my steps at my front door and painted them white too almost 2 years ago still looks like it did when I did it. did they get alot of shade.
So funny bc the video where you repainted the steps just popped up yesterday, and now this one popped up today. I'm like, "Wait, what?? He just repainted! Oh, 2019." Lol.
How do you take care of the clean up? Do you use a dumpster or just throw it in the normal trash can? Really new to this whole process.
Best stuff on the webs. Thanks.
Can now build a beautiful decking entrance 😎👍
Yes! One that is properly flashed against the house! Thanks for watching!
O, I was hoping you would do a brick sided landing, but will be following your lead as I have also used your video to fix my front porch steps temporary .
Also when using a jackhammer on concrete, be mindful that if there are any windows or glass doors in the immediate surrounding you might want to shield them with plywood so they don't shatter if they are hit with a chunk of concrete.
I’m sure that cleanup wasn’t back breaking at all. Love the work, keep it up!
Wow...that was some hard work, but worth it! Thanks, Fixer!
will that cause dry rot in the future underneath?
There's always a right tool for the job
The old steps looked better than most of the ones in my blighted town.
Great video. Enjoying your channel
Yes, in my world also 2 years is "temporary"
Most satisfying video😀😇
It was this video where you cleaned up the porch and painted it and freshened it up. Once I saw that video I was hooked.
I was hoping that you might try out different techniques, like "feather and wedges', splitting tools, etc.
I love demolition, no matter the size of the project
I wouldn’t use stone because water would go right through and into the foundation. When working close to the home and foundation, hard soil, grade smooth, and pitch it away from the house so water flows away to the street
That's a good tip! I will keep that in mind! Thank you and thanks for watching!
I have missed your channel...glad to see you
Good to see you too, Carolyn!
Nice job man!👍I’m glad you rented the Makita hammer. It’s money well spent.
I started the same way. Didn't realize what I was up against with just a sledge and a hammer drill. It was like hitting a boulder with a brooms stick. Going to rent a jackhammer this weekend.
I’m doin it without a permit. U think I’ll be ok? I’m wondering how close I can build my deck to the sidewalk don’t know if there’s any restrictions on that
Somehow, through all your videos, I knew you were from New England... I'm glad my NE senses still work...
Just saw the make over two days ago :) nice that you redone it completely :)
That was some heavy work. Don’t forget to seal up between the sill and foundation. I’ve been using caulking and then Protecto Wrap with some construction adhesive. Waterproofs and helps to keep bugs out.
Hello love the channel . Just wondering how long this took in real time? Also greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪
I remember watching you clean and paint the stairs
Good job. I've done alot of work with jack hammers, I've demod alot of concrete. Walls, slabs, so on. At first when you pulled out the sledge I laughed and thought you'd get a bigger tool. Then you brought out a small battery powered rotary hammer and I just about died of laughter.
Just for future reference, when you are demoing concrete slabs/structures like this, there will almost always be some type of footing or concrete that is below grade at least 6 inches or more. You want to start at the lowest edge of the stairs and dig out the dirt from around the concrete until you find the bottom. Then you can use a jack hammer. (The Makita you used is the smallest tool I recommend) you want to break off larger pieces of concrete all the way to the bottom so it breaks off cleanly. Otherwise you will make a bunch of debris that needs to be cleared.
It's hard work no matter how you do it, but using anything smaller than that Makita is pointless and counterproductive.
Can't wait to see the deck build. 😁
Good job.
Thank you.
i know those steps! i cant wait to drive by to a nice deck , all your work is so nice! great vid keep them coming!
I'm a new subscriber, really enjoy your content & persistence. Was so disappointed it ended with the demo, look forward to the deck.
'Bite the bullet and rent the big machine.' Hahahahahahaha you're funny! This would be a DYI I'd pay someone to do!
Big Kuddos to you!
I have similar steps but it is 'hollowed' out, that was massive in bulk. Lol will one of your future videos be the install of a rock garden? To me that would have been a find! Separate out for future use.
Again big shout out to you for getting the job done!
I can’t believe it’s been 2 years! Time flies.
I have to do this starting tomorrow for my house, I’ve seen other videos where they simply notched out the floor joist and attach them to the steps I might just do that to save myself having to bust up the steps. Or maybe just bust up the first step, so the floor joist can fit
Can you share a link to those videos?
@@brandonmitchell9489 lol you thinking about doing it that way also? I’m driving right now but just TH-cam building deck over concrete stairs, I still haven’t busted up my steps and still not sure which way I’m going to do it! Only thing that worries me is that the wood could possibly rot being in constant contact with the concrete, I guess it depends if it’s pressure treated and if there’s going to be an overhang
Definitely exploring all options. especially after watching that lol.
Love your videos Matt! 😀
I love this
Good heavens!!! I want to do this to my front stairs...yikes!!! Dreading it.....thanks for all info!!
Ive been thinking of doing the exact same thing to my backyard steps. Thanks for the motivation!!
Super excited to see how you install the new deck. Glad you mentioned 8-1-1 and digging safely! I'm sure it's gonna be great though; all your work is great. Not sure why I'm so excited about building...maybe I should investigate? 🤔🌻🌼⛏️⚒️👷
As I watched this video, I learned the inexorable truth, that there's no way around this monster of a task. I have an old and chipped 8 step concrete stair case that is gonna have to go to in order to sell our home. You, my friend, must have the patience of Methuselah. I'm exhausted just watching. Great work though. Kudos.
Yes, this was a TON of work! I was very happy with the final results though. If you haven't seen the deck build and are interested, here is the video. th-cam.com/video/SehPijelC4g/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for watching and for the comment!!
Those are some awesome rocks hiding in there
I'm going to "thumbs up" this video and I'm going to do it 👉 right now. LOL
Seriously, though- that looked like a lot of work. Satisfying seeing it done, though! 😀 Can't wait to see the deck being done 😁
What is that song at 6:00? 😉👍
That is alot of work 👊
Ooh bolder, that’s a nice boulder 😊
😁 I kept all of these rocks in a pile. Might do something with them. 🤔. Thanks for watching!
From The Fixer to The Archaeologist.
great job, I got szme steps. PS, always point your wheel barrow in the direction you want to go, then fill it
I'm afraid to use impact instruments because I fear the concrete/mortar are not up to par in this 85yr old home. It was put together with spit and ceiling wax so I can't take the chance. I tore up the basement floor with a claw hammer to replace the floor drain. It was so easy I ended up tearing up enough to put in a bathroom.
However I can't risk having my stoop cave in my basement wall with those vibrations. I'm thinkin of drilling some holes in the steps and letting them fill with water so they may splinter and crack when it freezes.
Why using pressure treated deck and not going with composite ..maintenance free and finish look better then timber.
Awesome Dude! First couple hits with the sledge 🤣. I was surprised how well the little impact hammer worked. obviously not big enough for this job. Nice out takes at the end. 👍
I would’ve helped you carry it all off🤗 I love this channel
Interesting construction and some rather nice stones in there. I think those steps would have outlasted the house they were so solid.
What did you do with all that stuff you hauled off?
Great question! All of the rocks went back to there home in the woods. The concrete is stacked up behind my shed on a tarp until a friend of mine helps me haul it to get recycled. I hate moving things more than once but sometimes it works out like that. Thanks for watching, JD!
I love your videos
Thanks so much, Clare! I appreciate that!
Where did you put the concrete?
Hey, Rolando! All of the rocks went back to their home in the woods. The concrete is stacked up behind my shed on a tarp until a friend of mine helps me haul it to get recycled. (my truck is not heavy duty enough) I hate moving things more than once but sometimes it works out like that. Thanks for watching
I’m upset that this video isn’t like 4 years old so I can watch the deck progress. Good job on the demo though.
I’m about to sledgehammer or electric tool the concrete out of my front porch. It’s all cracked up all the steps part of it’s cracked all the way through from putting salt down in the winter time. Big mistake! But I already have metal rails so, I’m just going to go ahead and build a set a freestanding steps that can be moved over, put in position and shimmed to level.
I already have a huge concrete slab porch that’s covered with the roof minor just the three steps going up to the porch that are concrete, and most of it busted in half and crumbled away and ready to come out. This should be a fairly easy project.
For nearly the same price as renting you can buy a cheapo electric jackhammer off Amazon. If it lasts two for two jobs, which mine has lasted for over two dozen so far with zero issues, it pays for itself.
Did I hear you say Massachusetts...I grew up in Springfield...I don't hear a Boston accent so w. mass...must be home...This old house help us get our house in order...
It would look awesome if you make stairs the two side of your current stairs.180 degrees !!
Who out there was shouting “ jackhammer “, “jackhammer “. Just me then 😀
Haha honestly if I wasn't filming this I probably would have just rented the jack hammer... Just trying to show everyone, though it may take longer, there is more than one way to do things. It isn't "the wrong way" if it works. 😁👍. Thanks for watching, Rosie!!
Respiratory Protection!!! You are a father now and can't take so many chances with your health. You should be wearing a well fitting N95 NIOSH approved mask for protection against silica dust. Baby Fixer and Mrs Fixer need you healthy. 😷😷😷
Damn, that was 2 years ago ?😳
Yup! July 2019. It's pretty crazy, it feels like as much as the past 2 years have felt like they have dragged by, they have also flown by! Weird... anyway, thanks for watching as always, Toni!!
that was fun
Whoa! What a job!
Nice rocks. Will you need using them for hardscaping?
Nice work BTW 😎👍
Ha! Love the ending!
Haha thanks Gregory! Next house I gotta get further from the street! It’s a battle filming! Thanks for watching to the end!!
@@TheFixerHomeRepair you should just build a Tapcon fence!😹
🤔 that's a lot of tapcons.
Post doing this, did you feel like adrenaline was still running in your hands and arms (from the vibrations)?
The demo work seemed exhausting!
PS: The bloopers are hilarious, "I should just go home, oh, wait..." :)
Haha yes! It was like when you get off a boat, you still feel like you are on the water for a while. I could barely walk after these two days, it was so much work! Thanks for letting me know about the bloopers. I have plenty of those for each video, maybe I will make it a thing. 😁👍. Thanks for watching, Ivan!
Just did the same thing last week. Your concrete looks "soft" compared to mine - it was full of 1-2" really hard rocks. A few hours with a rental jackhammer did the trick, but boy was I sore the next day!
@XT Great idea (but I hope there isn't a "next time")!
앞으로가 기대됩니다*~
I was just thinking "this is the part where you hope your crowns and fillings don't come loose"....
...that Makita was a right choice 👍
Why u using that little hammer bro u should of used a concrete saw to release the pressure in the cement before beating holes in
You know what they say .. there's nothing as permanent as a temporary solution 👍🤣
I have the exact issue I am renting a jack hammer take it to it quick ,ok I see you saw the LIGHT .Just think if you hired it out BIG cost !