Mike - This is bringing back so many memories of my father. He was a union Master Plasterer in Northern Indiana. He started his career back in 1957. I remember him mixing plaster in the same way you talk about mixing mortar. I remember his Ford pickup truck with the windowed cover over the bed, the same as I've seen in your videos. I remember helping him load that bed with buckets and trowels and wooden levels and bags of sand and lime and gypsum when I was probably 8 or 9. I remember him waking up at 4:30 and getting his breakfast ready and heading out by 5:00 for jobs that were an hour and half away. I found your videos because I was looking at fixing some masonry around my home. I found something else: memories and a recognition of true tradecraft. Thank you Mike.

@MikeHaduck

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris, I actually get a lot of comments like these, it's a good thing to remember, pass it on, thanks Mike

Hi Mike: Thank you so much for passing on your knowledge of cement from you many years of experience. Bravo for guys like you that take the time to pass along such useful knowledge. You're a champ. Thanks again. Jim Williams

@joelturcios7659

4 жыл бұрын

Perfectly said.

@user-sp1qn9yf9t

Жыл бұрын

اللهم صل على محمد وال محمد

You are my absolute go-to guy for any masonry instruction. You are easy and educational!

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks cld,Mike

I appreciate that. I have fun making them. thanks mike

Wow. I'm really enjoying these older videos popping up! Thanks, Mike!

@MikeHaduck

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Linda, Mike

Very helpful for the DIYer. Thank you for not getting into too much detail. You're a great teacher.

@MikeHaduck

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Larry, I appreciate it, Mike

Mike your the best . I did cement work around the house before. I had no idea what I was doing until I found you on KZread. thank you very very much for teaching me things i will use the rest of my life. there is also some kind of cement work I find to do now because of you . thank you.

@MikeHaduck

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Smokey, I appreciate it, Mike

Your videos are the best on the youtubes. Im watching them all before beginning a set of projects!

Your videos are the best. I have learned so much about concrete by watching your videos. Your Dad passed his knowledge onto you about how to do this and now you are teaching thousands of people to do this via the internet. Pretty neat!!

@MikeHaduck

10 жыл бұрын

thanks, I appreciate it and am still working on it. mike

Great video! You did a great job breaking down what types of cements there are and what they are good for! Masonry is definitely an art thank you.

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks El, Mike

thank you so much for sharing your knowledge in the trade Mike. Some of the most informative videos on here

@MikeHaduck

10 жыл бұрын

thank you I appreciate the comment. mike

Your videos are incredibly helpful. Helped me out multiple times. Thanks, Mike.

@MikeHaduck

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gypsy, Mike

Great video to learn about this. I have always been wondering about the differences about mortar and cement.

Mike, I just wanted to take some time and thank you for the videos you have posted. I had some cracks in my basement steps and stumbled upon your channel looking into ways to patch em up. I'm a younger guy mid 20s but relate to your old school methodology as it reminds me much of the way my grandfather who was a big influence on me during my teens worked on diesel equipment well into his 90s, the nothing to fancy get the job done kinda approach. Anyways after watching all you had to offer twice (including the banjo stuff) i came away with the courage to not only try and patch up my stairs I ended up busting up and rebuilding a old small garden retainer wall on the side of my house. Got quite a bit of smack talk from the neighbors during the process n probably took me 5xs the amount time to complete compared to paying someone to do it but in the end cost me bout 150 bucks for the tools and portland/sand and got compliments from all of them, my father in law thought my my stairs were brand new at first. I had my 8yr old watching n he even got into once you started painting the chickens. Anyone asks him he'll tell you want it stick gotta get it wet first. I'm in the tropics of WNY where we get the mildest of winter weather from our northern neighbors across Great puddles of Erie and Ontario so well see how it looks in April. Thanks again man.

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

thanks Jack, hearing these kind of comments make me feel I am on the right track, and its true lots of folks do not have the guts to try it themselves, I should be the one giving you the credit, thanks mike

Thank you so much! These videos have helped me do so many jobs around my house.

@MikeHaduck

10 жыл бұрын

I am having fun making the videos. thanks mike

Here from your Lime or Portland video. Love your work. Thank you for the cement lesson!

@MikeHaduck

2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Mike

Great video and great visuals. Thanks for sharing

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ray, mike

mike thanks for all of the great tips. I always wondered how the molecular structure of cement worked. based on viewing many of your videos I'm going to do the block work on my shop addition.

@MikeHaduck

8 жыл бұрын

+Dickie Brown I hope it works out, depending on the job for block I usually use S mortar, every area and mason does it different, I would ask the locals what they use first. hope it helps, thanks mike

Interesting. I worked on resurfacing and adding some grade to a little sidewalk project and tried everything until I read an article that mentioned 2 sand and 1 portland and I have used it for projects all summer and it works great. It's nice to hear a confirmation on it. Thanks Mike for your expertise and willingness to share it.

@MikeHaduck

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dallas, mike

Mike Haduck. The winters aren't nearly as harsh here in Oklahoma. I'm learning how to lay stone and the professionals are helping me. Love your videos.

@MikeHaduck

9 жыл бұрын

Jessy Churchwell thanks Jessy, I appreciate it. mike

Down in South Carolina. I think I've watched every video you've done twice. I wanted to thank you as you've made me a more informed owner. I know I can't do these jobs myself, but you've given me the confidence to make sure I get the RIGHT people to do the job and that's what I needed. I hoped to do the work myself, but seeing skilled laborers vs myself, it's better to pay a skilled worker the first time. Thanks Mike, I owe you a beer or 12.

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks HBC, I appreciate it. the south has same different techniques that is not required as up here because of the weather, but I appreciate it. mike

love it . I work for E.G Conti for 6 months and I was the pit man. I learned that they had a special way of mixing which gave them a special looking mortar.

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

thanks ty, I appreciate it. mike

Thank you so much for teaching these funadamentals. Appreciate it.

@MikeHaduck

10 жыл бұрын

thanks, I appreciate it. mike

Thanks for another excellent video Mike. I'm just about to restore a 1920 fieldstone porch pillar because the mortar has decomposed so I will use Portland instead of the S-type mortar like I had planned on using

, I wouldn't do anything on anybodys house that I wouldn,t do on mine. Of course it is always my opinion and my ways of doing things, seems to work for me. and I try to tell folks to always ask other pros. I appreciate the comment. thanks mike

Thanks for you for the videos Mike, I'm young I really value this work, thank you for your videos.

@MikeHaduck

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Joel, mike

Thanks for the explanation Mike, this is very helpful (especially as I'm also in PA, so your region-specific tips apply for me). Your teaching style really makes the prospect of masonry work less intimidating.

@MikeHaduck

10 жыл бұрын

thanks, glad it helps, mike

Mike truly thank you for your time and the education you provide. I can't wait to get the shirt I ordered a few weeks back I'll wear it with pride.

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I appreciate it, Mike

@experienceprecision5406

3 жыл бұрын

@@MikeHaduck shirt came in. Showed it to my dad he got a kick out of it. Thanks again

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Mike

Thank you for sharing your knowledge Mr Mike .

@MikeHaduck

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Mike

Great advice Mike thanks very much for your videos

@MikeHaduck

9 жыл бұрын

BestToys Collector thanks, I appreciate it, mike

on ready mix cements I just add the water and use it that way. hope it helps

glad it helped. thanks mike

Mike- Once again, thanks so much for another fantastic video containing outstanding unbiased information. JJN ALBANY, NY.

@MikeHaduck

8 жыл бұрын

+james nagle thanks, I appreciate it. I know other folks have other opinions, thanks mike

"YOU ARE THE MAN" thank you for your videos; their are still folks out here that are self reliant.

@MikeHaduck

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Thrasher, I appreciate that, mike

glad it does. thanks mike

Very informative!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

@MikeHaduck

8 жыл бұрын

thanks, I hope it helps, mike

I can't tell anyone what to use. but I ususally on a outside wall use two buckets of sand to one bucket of S mortar. then if it will be exposed to any weather I will add a shovel of portland. now if it is on a patio where the rain hits it everyday I will use only portland. sometimes its a good idea to let some days go by so the base coat has time to shrink, my opinion thanks mike

Veteran realtime experienced knowledge . no better teacher than the real old timers. Reminds me of summers carpenters apprentice 1985 Bklyn Shops ARtie ( Italian) and Ray(Irish) two of the best tradesmen. similar to this old house. Thanks Mike Haduck _ please continue to share your vast knowledge .

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Wynton, I appreciate it, mike

Don't forget it takes cement weeks to finally cure, and every mason uses different mixes especially from different states, I get my masonry sand sometimes from the concrete company or quarrys, all depends on what I am doing, good luck, mike

Thanks for the video! Very informative and easy to understand.

@MikeHaduck

9 жыл бұрын

thanks, I hope it helps. mike

Thanks mike for the info.

You answer my question I am installing a standing shower & when you explain that Portland cement they use it in high way & swimming pools , I am going for the portal cement, because experience is knowledge, thanks a million!

@MikeHaduck

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Hector, Mike

Mike, thanks for the fundamentals.

@MikeHaduck

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Luis, Mike

Nice vid! I love the old school knowledge seems to always be the best!

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dave, mike

Mike, I know Concrete work is brutal work. I enjoy watching someone that definitely know his trade. You make it look simple, but I know it is not. Thank, Mike

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate it. mike

Thank you so much, God bless you and your family , Portland I will use for my swimming pool.

@MikeHaduck

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks slick, I have a whole playlist on " concrete patches" Mike haduck,

my best answer is - every mason I every worked with used a different mix and every region and state and country is the same way. many masons still add lime ,nothing wrong with that. but you can go to lowes or home depot and buy a ready mix for mortar or Portland , which is fine, I use them for certain jobs. hope it helped, thanks mike

Great content. Thanks for sharing your lifetime of experience.

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, mike

Out of all the videos I've watched, your the only one that tills me how much sand to mix with Portland...thanks!

@MikeHaduck

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Jim, every area of the country is different and depends on what you’re doing, but for the most part that’s what I use, thanks Mike

@JimRobinEric

5 жыл бұрын

Hey Mike, I’m from Kansas, we bought a small house, but the east basement wall leaks water really badly when it rains. Built in 1908 and has the old (red brick) walls with a slight bow in it. The house has no guttering and a sidewalk by it, which is terrible. I’m putting up guttering and putting in a new sidewalk, but this time the cement will go up to the house and about 4 feet out, should end the water problem. Then I want to put about a 1/4 inch of Portland on the brick walls to seal them, inside. What mix do you recommend? I was going to mix 2-Sand and 1-Portland? Thanks, Jim

@MikeHaduck

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Jim, That is what I use, and I have not had a problem, others say different, but I do have videos out and how i repair an old stone foundation, They may help thanks Mike

Thank you for the info Mike!

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeremy, Mike

Thank you so much for your informative videos Mike Haduck! I love those repairing concrete steps videos. They are a great help for what I want to undertake to repair my mom's steps. You instruct like a real pro who has been doing it "for thousands of years!" lol. Best of luck and thanks again for your generosity and insight!

@MikeHaduck

8 жыл бұрын

+Pristine S. I just passing along what I learned from the old timers, thanks, I appreciate it. Mike

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

thanks Dzabel, I am passing along what I learned from others, thanks mike

Thanks for the video! This is exactly the type of info I wanted to know

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Warren, Mike

What an awesome channel You’ve helped me out so much TY

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, mike

Thank you, this is very helpful.

Your videos are great. Thank you.

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Amos, Mike

Thanks for the video!

Great and very clear video. Thank you Mark (UK)

@MikeHaduck

8 жыл бұрын

+lionel hodges thanks lionel, I appreciate it, mike

very informative, very easy to understand, thanks for the lesson.

@MikeHaduck

9 жыл бұрын

thanks, mike

Yup, this is one of the videos that saved me on my first attempt at fixing stairs. I’ve watched it 4 times. My garage is now filled with small wooden molds, bags of aggregate and Portland cement. My wife got annoyed that I snuck out at 1am to check on the 1’ by 2’ “slab” I poured.

@MikeHaduck

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jonathan, I bet it comes out great, mike

@jonathanschearer7778

5 жыл бұрын

Mike Haduck Masonry I was just watching your bird bath video when I got your reply. Your the best Mike, thank you!

Excellent. Thanks for shearing.

@MikeHaduck

9 жыл бұрын

Oscar Mendez thanks, check out my video," masonry tips for beginners," MIke Haduck --- it adds a little more to dealing with masonry thanks again, mike

Thanks for the great videos. I'm researching because I'm planning on doing a little flagstone work by my pool after a plumbing company wanted $700 to do about a 4x4 area after fixing a leak underneath.

@MikeHaduck

10 жыл бұрын

I hope it helps. lots of stuff on youtube to give you good ideas. thanks mike

Mike thanks for the education. Very helpful for a not very skilled (but wants to have a go DIYer). I liked how as soon as you started the lawnmower started up. I assume you asked them to stop please and then as soon as you re-commenced over came the aircraft.

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Very true bill, lol, mike

It all depends. Old school is just Portland in a paint but there are some resurface products at lowes and homedepot tha work well, depending. on what you want. test it on an old block to make sure. thanks mike

thanks for the in depth.

I'm a Janitor / Sextant... for a Boston Church with a 5' Stone Wall and a series of steps up to sanctuary entrance. The stone wall has a bit of loose mortar. The side walls for the stairs are also cracking like crazy. When I first started working on the wall - I used premixed cement with some small stones built in. Well - long story short - that was wrong cement - tough to tuck into the cracks and between stones. Now I'm using Portland and sand. 2:1 ratio. I'm getting better at this. Tremendous thanks to Mike Haddock. I feel like I'm a Mike Haddock - Apprentice.

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Fester, I appreciate it, mike

Thanks! Mike you explained it very well

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

thanks Frank, I appreciate it. mike

thanks on the comment, it its my opinion of course but it works form me, mike

I learned a lot about cement and sand. It's good to know I can just go with Portland's on most projects. I don't have any projects yet but it's something to think about

@MikeHaduck

10 ай бұрын

Hi Laura, I usually show what I used in each of my projects, thanks. Mike

Excellent advice from Harduck

@MikeHaduck

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Joe, mike

thanks, my opinion of course, mike

Love your videos Mike. You do things like my Dad and Uncle used to do. #OLDSCHOOL

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

Hi Tony, I am just passing along what the old timers taught me, thanks mike

@dzabelal7261

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Its really amazing how we miss the basics when we are learning.

@Londonfogey

7 жыл бұрын

These videos remind me of the old days when my father and grandfather used to team up to do some job around the house. Dad had been in the building trade in the early 50s and Grandpa learned way back in the 20s. They used to call me over and say 'watch this and learn something'. They hated any fancy quick fix solution that cost a lot of money.

I really needed this information! Thanks Mike!

@MikeHaduck

10 жыл бұрын

thanks, I hope it helped. mike

@burns_

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mike.

Thank you Sir, for all the information 😉

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jorge, Mike

Thank you for the info and time!

@MikeHaduck

10 жыл бұрын

I appreciate it thanks mike

Every mason has a different opinion, I got to say I always use portland, because I never have a problem, I also think it is the weight of the retaining wall that keeps it in place more than the cement. I don,t thing you are doing wrong cause s mortar holds up a lot better than plain mortar, and a shovel of portland can't hurt.. and I sure don,t want to tell some one what to do. my videos are just my opinions being passed on as something to be considered... thanks for the comment. mike

Good video. I never understood why the ready mix mortars never seemed to work for me. After they set, I could scratch the material away with my fingernail. I experimented trying to make a block of ready mix mortar, and it would just crush into sand. So I purchased portland cement and sand, and will do the 1 to 2 mix like you do. I have brick stairs to repair and also a flagstone patio. I am not looking for perfection with the patio, I just don't want the weeds growing through the joints.

Great video. I'm going to resurface my concrete entryway steps. I have some minor spawling that I'm going to patch before I resurface. After I strip the old paint off and clean it, what type of cement/mix would you use I use to resurface it?

Thank you God Bless Mike

@MikeHaduck

5 жыл бұрын

God bless also, thanks, Mike

Thank's Mike!

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

Hi col, thank you, mike

Excellent video.

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

thanks, mike

Thank u Mr. Haduck

@MikeHaduck

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mike

thanks for sharing this information

@MikeHaduck

8 жыл бұрын

I appreciate it thanks mike

Thank you so much !!!! very helpful !!!!!

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

thanks Salvador, I appreciate it. mike

Hay Mike, Your videos are the balls!....Please keep them coming…..Inspiring me to take on my front door steps with stick on fake stones like in your video. My prefab steps have a “Ghetto” look that I want to class up, any words of advice or caution regarding drilling prefab steps for support wire or how to finish sides and top? Can send a pic for reference. I live in northern MA. Thanks for your help! Mark McD.

Excellent video Mike, very helpful. The last time I patched my sidewalk it came out gray. Will the Portland mixed with white sand turn out white or should I use cement all? Thanks for taking the time to post this vid.

@MikeHaduck

9 жыл бұрын

sandpiper9988 I have to do a video on cement colors, (I am color blind actually) I don't really use them but my dad would. I know what ever you mix I get a hair dryer and dry a piece so I know how it ends up. thanks mike

Mike i'm from the UK i am going to lay slabs,do i use sharp sand and cement or play sand and cement?fantastic vid thanks for your tips

Very informative, I learned something today about concrete, thank you

@MikeHaduck

9 жыл бұрын

Joseph Maximus maybe check out my videos, masonry tips for beginners. it might help you some more, thanks mike

@dukeman7595

9 жыл бұрын

Mike Haduck I have been, very informative information. You do good work. P.S. I subscribed.

@MikeHaduck

9 жыл бұрын

Joseph Maximus thanks, mike

Very cool....thanks!

@MikeHaduck

10 жыл бұрын

I hope it helped thanks, mike

Thanks, I found the video very informative. I live in NE PA by the way.

@MikeHaduck

10 жыл бұрын

thanks, hope it helped. mike

I like mixing my own mortar cause I can buy sand better matches whatever was put in originally We can buy brick sand or cement sand Also we can get Missouri River sand or Kansas river sand ks sand has issues and gives alkaline silica reaction in cement. I mostly work on historic buildings My main gig is cement terrazzo repair but after watching your video I'm starting to do more stone and cement repair I'm going start making precast terrazzo steps and cement caps this spring Love your videos

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks John, I appreciate the comment, and wish you well, keep going, mike

Hi mike, every video you’ve posted has been very informative and you inspire me to become a better mason with every job. I notice your mixing 2 parts sand into almost everything other than rapid set. You’ve even added sand to type s mortar mix,(which has some sand already in it) in the video where you repair steps. I was curious to know what adding the extra sand does to the mix. And why you do it. YOUR feedback (not a “cement scientist’s”) would be much appreciated.

@MikeHaduck

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Franco, very hard to explain, every job is different, I did a series years ago called , masonry tips for beginners, I explain all the different types of cement, maybe you seen me adding sand to straight mortar, thanks, mike

I would get a couple old bricks and practice first, If you get a hose and wire brush the cement that is on the brick will clean up the next day, check out my how to do a stone patio on the cleaning part, good luck my opinion, mike

Fun video on cement...

Hi Mike, I have found your videos to be extremely helpful! My father was a huge fix-it guy but hadn't been able to do much around the house the last few years. He passed away in January. I'm staying with my mother this summer to help her with some things. The two biggest items needing attention is the concrete (steps and driveway) and house painting. I just finished the porch, feeling much more more confident after watching your videos about 25 times. The corner was broken off and the front deeply pitted. I used mortar to repair (also a badly deteriorated corner foundation of the house) and later topped the whole set of steps with Portland. I just finished it yesterday and it looks great! My mother is thrilled. :) Here is my question. You mention in this video that straight Portland will crack. In other videos, you "paint" with Portland (and some bonding glue) for a nice finish, but there is no sand. That's what I did on the steps. I'm in Wisconsin - severe fluctuations in temperature with an occasional -20 to -30 in the winter and today (June 21) is supposed to be 96 degrees with lots of humidity. My next plan of order is fixing the cracks and pot holes in the drive with Cement All and then going over the top with Portland. Do you recommend using sand in this mix? And one last question... sorry this is so long. You mentioned that you sometimes mix Portland in with the Cement All. If I were to do this on the surface, what sort of ratio would you recommend? Thank you so much for your help!

@MikeHaduck

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, I wouldn't mix the Portland in with rapid set, I do that in very rare cases, and painting with portland is a old school thing that dosent effect the shrinking very much. But patches without sand Is where it really shrinks, if all that makes sense, it's an experience thing, thanks Mike

@mastermindtech63

2 жыл бұрын

@@MikeHaduck That does make sense, thank you. I'm patching with Cement-All. Since the driveway is so badly damaged, it's getting pretty expensive. My reason for wanting to mix the Portland with the Cement All is because I need to try to level the driveway more on my top layer. With a straight Portland and sand mix, I think it will crack where it ends up a little thicker in that process. Also, I'm hoping the Cement-All will speed up the curing process. I'm a complete amateur for sure but trying to do my best to make the driveway safer for Mom to walk on in the winter. Naturally, I'd prefer that my efforts resulted in something that looks good in the end also. Any further suggestions or comments that might be helpful?

Need to do a project on my own..Thank you!

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rebecca, Mike

Hi Mike: I am repairing the crumbling stone foundation of my 1860s home (inside and out), but I read somewhere that I should not use Portland Cement. Does that sound right to you? If so, will the Type N mortar work on the exterior as well as the interior of the basement walls?

Hey Mike. As always great vid. I have learned much from you, thanks. 1 question. I am adding a res parking area, 20'x30'. Is using crushed used concrete, adding lime, ramping and then wetting the surface w water a good mix for this?

@MikeHaduck

7 жыл бұрын

Hi Get, that is something I can not say, every area and job is different, I would ask the locals if you are in doubt, I wish you well , thanks mike

Thanks Mike

@MikeHaduck

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Frank, mike

What would you use to repoint a clay tile block foundation? What would you use to parge it?