More stories about Slab

• Q&A: Footing Width for Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations

  Q: We‘ll be building a house on a frost-protected shallow foundation. Are the requirements for sizing the portion of the slab that forms the thickened footing around the perimeter of the slab the same as the requirements for a typical monolithic floating

• Trade Talk: Can You Substitute Synthetic Fibers for Wire Mesh?

  Although contractors often substitute synthetic fibers for wire mesh in concrete slabs, the two products perform different functions

• Kitchen & Bath: Sheet-Vinyl Basics

  Working with sheet-vinyl flooring

• Q&A: Water in Under-Slab Ducts

  Q: Nine years ago I built a new house on a slab foundation. We put in a forced-air heating system, and the hvac contractor ran the ducts under the slab. The house is on a lake, and during certain times of year rising ground water enters the ducts. We

• Q&A: Fixing a Moldy Crawlspace

  Q: A homeowner wants me to eliminate the moldy smell from a crawlspace. The crawlspace has a concrete floor, with fiberglass batt insulation between the floor joists. There are two louvered vents that are left open year-round. Would it help to insulate the walls with rigid foam and seal the vents...

• Q&A: Fibermesh Reinforcement

  Q: I’m working on a project with a 2-inch thick colored concrete topping slab installed over a 5-inch thick structural slab on grade. There will be #15 felt installed between the two slabs, so they can move independently. I am considering using fibermesh to minimize cracks in the topping slab. If I...

• Q&A: Finding the Center of a Circle Using a Formula

  Q: The pros and cons of water-based urethane finishes; fixing a moldy crawlspace; reinforcing and sealing a concrete topping slab; more

• Layout Under the Slab

  A construction superintendent explains how to avoid costly errors under slab foundations.

• Q&A: Identifying Poria Fungus

  Q: While renovating a home in New Jersey, I found a fungus-like growth a few inches long growing between the tile floor and the base molding in the bathroom. The house is on a concrete slab. Is there anywhere I can have this growth tested to see if it is poria?

• Q&A: Foundation Trench Near Concrete Driveway

  Q: Our remodeling company has contracted to do a room addition that will be elevated over an existing concrete driveway. We will need to install a concrete footing at the edge of the existing driveway slab. I’m worried that when we excavate for the footing, the fill under the slab will cave into...