For a high-quality slab, prepping the base and proper layout of control joints are... More
A construction superintendent explains how to avoid costly errors under slab foundations. More
Surprise soils can complicate any project. When the excavation turns up weak or expansive clay, this low-strength ready-mix fill can provide a stable base for the foundation without busting the budget. More
Rigid foam insulation used below grade provides hidden pathways for termites and carpenter ants, and makes it impossible to chemically treat the foundation. We examine the problem, the costs, and possible solutions. More
A 4-foot-deep concrete frost wall can add thousands of dollars to the cost of a... More
Exposed concrete slabs don’t have to look dull and gray. Here’s how to use dyes and stains, stamped patterns, and exposed aggregate to create an attractive and durable finished slab. More
It’s inevitable: A concrete slab is going to crack. But how much it cracks, and where, depends on the amount of water in the mix, where you place control joints, and how you finish the slab. Here’s what you need to know for good results. More
Q: We are faced with a site for a 1,400-square-foot, story-and-a-half house in a northern climate with a 6-foot frost depth. We propose to build the house on a slab-on-grade foundation, some of which will be near ledge. Does the footing for such a slab have to extend below the 6-foot frost depth, or can it float on gravel? More
Concrete sets up fast in hot, dry weather, increasing the chance that cracks and surface defects will develop. A concrete contractor from the desert Southwest tells how to keep your cool in the heat of a concrete pour. More
Where deep frost is not a danger, shallow footings and floor slabs can be formed and poured together. A New Mexico contractor takes a step-by-step look at how to excavate, form, brace, and finish monolithic slabs. More
