Concrete Slabs in Redmond, WA
Concrete Slabs Built for Strength and Stability
Every structure requires a solid foundation to ensure it stands as long as it should. At Redmond Concrete Works, we build residential and commercial concrete slab foundations throughout Redmond. We provide concrete slabs built specifically to meet your project’s requirements. A concrete slab can be used for many different projects, including a garage floor, a shed foundation, and an outdoor living space.
While a concrete slab may appear to be simply a flat surface, it is actually a structural component that will have to support loads, withstand moisture damage, and remain level for years to come. As with most construction projects in Redmond, preparation of the site is a critical aspect of the job. We know the soils in Redmond and the proper methods for preparing them. With our experience in building quality concrete slabs, when you hire us for your project, you are hiring a contractor who understands what “adequate” and “excellent” mean.
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What is a Concrete Slab?
A concrete slab is a level, horizontal concrete structure that may be used as a floor, foundation, or base of a building. They are available in various sizes (from very small 4-inch patio slabs to large 6-inch garage floor slabs) and depend on what you want to do with them, how much weight they will need to support, and where they are going to go.
In order to build a quality concrete slab, it requires some preparation is required. We first dig down to the required depth, then compact the sub-grade, and put down the required base material. We also include wire mesh or rebar in the slab to prevent cracks from occurring once the concrete sets. We pour the concrete, level it, and finish it according to our specifications. Once we have completed this process, we make sure that the slab cures properly so it reaches its maximum strength.
Slab Thickness and Specifications
The concrete slab thickness will vary with each type of use. The following is a summary of recommendations that we make for the average types of projects that we work on.
- Patios and walkways: 4″
- Shed Foundations: 4″
- Residential Driveways: 4″ to 5″
- Garage Floors: 5″ to 6″
- Hot Tub Pads: 6″
- Areas for heavy equipment: 6″ to 8″
These are basic examples. We will modify the thickness depending upon the local soil conditions, projected load, and specifics for the individual job requirements. The proper thickness will help prevent cracks in the slab, and will also ensure the slab works as it was designed to do.
Reinforcement Options
Concrete slabs need to be reinforced in order to prevent or minimize cracking. There are two common methods that we use to reinforce concrete slabs:
Wire Mesh: Welded wire fabric is a type of distributed reinforcement. Wire mesh is ideal for most residential applications. If small cracks occur in the concrete, the wire mesh will hold the concrete together and continue to support the structure.
Rebar: Steel reinforcing bar(s) provide the greatest amount of strength. We use rebar when a concrete slab has to bear a heavy load or in areas with poor soil. When using rebar, they have to be properly placed and tied so there is an adequate distance between them as well as enough coverage.
Reinforcing materials such as rebar are placed within the concrete of a slab, generally located at the bottom one-third of the slab thickness. The location of the reinforcing material (rebar) provides tensile strength to the area of the slab that needs it most.
Concrete Slab Installation Process
Installation of quality concrete slabs involves a detailed, sequential process where each component affects long-term durability and function.
- Site Preparation: We remove all topsoil and unsuitable materials to the appropriate depth, at then compact the sub-grade to provide a solid foundation for the slab to be placed on. This reduces the potential for future settlement of the slab.
- Base Installation: A compacted crushed rock base is placed on the compacted sub-grade. The compacted crushed rock base improves drainage and increases the strength of the slab. The base is properly sloped to meet grade specifications.
- Vapor Barrier and Insulation: When the application will be an interior slab or a slab where moisture can affect the longevity of the slab, we install a vapor barrier. When heat is applied to the slab, insulation is also installed to prevent damage from the heat.
- Forming and Reinforcement: Forms are erected to define the perimeter of the slab, to create the proper height, and to create the proper thickness of the slab. Rebar or wire mesh is placed in the slab according to the design specifications. Providing the correct amount of reinforcement will reduce the occurrence of cracking in the slab.
- Concrete Placement: Once the base is prepared and the forms are in place, we pour the concrete into the slab. Once the concrete is poured, we ensure that it is distributed evenly throughout the slab to eliminate air pockets. After pouring the concrete, we screed the surface with the screeding tool using the forms to guide us so that the surface is level.
- Finishing: After screeding the surface, we float the surface to achieve the desired smoothness and trowel the surface to the desired finish. If a texture is desired, we add the texture to the surface. We also cut control joints into the slab after finishing the slab to control where the cracks occur.
- Curing: During the curing phase, we apply the recommended curing compound or other method to maintain the proper amount of moisture on the slab. During this time, we protect the slab from traffic and other factors that could potentially cause damage to the slab.
Concrete Slab Applications
Concrete Slab Perimeter
Installing a concrete slab around the perimeter of a house is an excellent way to provide a clean area for the homeowner. Concrete slabs are also a great choice for a variety of other uses, such as outdoor seating areas, a pad for air conditioning units, and even just a simple walking path. When we install a concrete slab around your house, we make sure it slopes away from your house so there will be no water problems on the inside of your home.
Concrete Slab for Shed Foundation
Any type of shed needs a solid level foundation to sit upon. A concrete slab for a shed application will be the best solution. We will size the slab to fit your shed and extend about three inches past the walls to ensure that water doesn’t collect next to your shed.
Concrete Slab for Pool Surround
The surrounding area of a pool requires a very durable surface that will provide good traction and allow for water to drain off. A concrete slab for pool surround areas meets all of these requirements and will continue to function properly when exposed to water constantly. We will texture the finish to help with traction and slope the slab so that any water will run away from the area.
Concrete Slab for Storage Buildings and Sheds
Storage buildings and shops (workshops) need a solid concrete slab as their foundation. A solid slab will keep the building level and prevent the building from settling. We will design and build the slab to have the correct thickness based on the size of the building and how much weight will be placed on the slab.
Garage Floor Slab
Garage floors are subjected to high volumes of traffic from vehicles, constant drips of oil, and extreme temperature changes. We install garage floor slabs with a minimum thickness of five to six inches with a proper amount of reinforcement in the slab. After the slab is poured and cured, we apply a smooth troweled finish to the surface, making it easy to clean. We also make sure the slab is sloped to direct any water or spills towards the garage door. If you plan to use a lift or store heavy equipment on the sla, we can accommodate that requirement.
Concrete Slab for Hot Tub Installation
A hot tub is extremely heavy when full – a filled six-person hot tub can weigh in excess of 4000 lbs. A concrete slab for a hot tub installation must be able to handle this concentrated load and not settle. We design and install these slabs to handle the heavy load by using the correct thickness and reinforcing materials in the slab. We also make sure that the slab extends out far enough around the hot tub so that people can safely get in and out of the hot tub.
Concrete Slab for House Construction
For new construction and additions, a concrete slab for house construction is required. Slab-on-grade foundations are ideal in the Redmond area due to the dry conditions. We install the slab with the necessary vapor barrier, insulation, and reinforcement. We integrate the slab with perimeter footings to form a complete foundation system. This method is cost-effective and reliable.
Ready to Start Your Concrete Slab Project?
Whether you need a shed foundation, garage floor, or backyard patio slab, we deliver concrete work built to last. Contact Redmond Concrete Works today to discuss your project and receive a detailed estimate.