How thick does a concrete slab need to be?

Residential slabs typically range from 4 to 6 inches thick depending on their purpose. A basic shed floor might only need 4 inches. A garage or home foundation usually requires at least 4 inches with proper reinforcement. Areas that will support heavy loads like support walls get thickened to 8 or 12 inches.

Do I need a soil test before pouring a foundation?

For most residential projects, building codes don't require formal soil testing, but it's often a smart investment. A geotechnical report tells you exactly what you're building on and helps prevent expensive problems. If your lot has fill dirt, is near water, or shows signs of poor drainage, testing is highly recommended.

Can you pour a foundation addition that matches my existing slab?

Yes, we regularly pour foundation additions for room expansions, garages, and other projects. The new slab needs proper connection details to integrate with your existing foundation. We typically use dowels or rebar that ties the old and new concrete together.

Concrete Slab & Foundation Work

Strong, level foundations that support your home or building for decades, built right the first time.

Why Foundation Work Matters Most

Your foundation supports everything above it. When it's done right, you never think about it. When it's done wrong, you deal with cracks, settling, moisture problems, and expensive repairs. We build concrete slabs and foundations that stay level and solid for the life of your structure.

Florida's sandy soil and high water table create unique challenges. The ground shifts and settles differently than in other parts of the country. We've poured hundreds of slabs around Oviedo and understand exactly what works in our local conditions. Every project gets site-specific preparation based on soil type, drainage, and load requirements.

We handle foundation work for new home construction, room additions, detached garages, sheds, and commercial buildings. Whether you're building from scratch or adding to an existing structure, we make sure your new foundation integrates properly and performs as expected.

The process starts below ground level. We excavate, grade, and compact the soil properly. Then we add a layer of gravel for drainage and stability. We install vapor barriers to keep moisture from wicking up through the concrete. Only after all this prep work do we start placing rebar and pouring concrete.

Types of Concrete Slabs We Install

Different projects need different foundation approaches. We install several types of concrete slabs depending on your building plans, budget, and site conditions. Here's what we recommend for various situations.

Common Slab Types

•Slab-on-grade for most residential homes and single-story buildings
•Monolithic slabs that combine foundation and floor in one pour
•Stem wall foundations with a perimeter footing and center slab
•Floating slabs for garages, sheds, and other detached structures
•Post-tension slabs that use cables for extra strength on problem soil
•Thickened edge slabs with reinforced perimeters for load-bearing walls

Each type has advantages for specific situations. Monolithic slabs pour faster and work well on stable soil. Stem wall foundations handle uneven terrain better and provide more height off the ground. Post-tension systems resist cracking on expansive soils but cost more upfront.

We evaluate your site and building plans to recommend the right approach. Soil tests help us understand load-bearing capacity and potential settling issues. Local building codes also dictate minimum requirements for thickness, reinforcement, and edge details.

Once your foundation is complete and cured, you can move forward with framing and construction. A solid slab makes everything else easier and prevents problems down the road. If you're also planning a concrete driveway, we can coordinate both projects for efficiency and consistency.

Our Foundation Installation Process

Professional foundation work follows a specific sequence. Skipping steps or rushing the process leads to problems. We take the time to do each phase correctly because your building depends on it.

First, we lay out and mark the foundation location according to your building plans. Accuracy matters here because everything else aligns to these initial marks. We use laser levels and precision measuring to get it right.

Next comes excavation and grading. We dig to the required depth, remove organic material and unsuitable soil, and create a level base. The excavation includes trenches for footings if your design requires them. All this dirt work gets inspected and approved before we move forward.

We compact the soil in layers using heavy equipment. This prevents future settling that could crack your slab. Then we add crushed stone or gravel for drainage and more stability. A vapor barrier goes down next to block moisture. Finally, we install steel reinforcement according to engineering specifications.

Concrete placement requires coordination and speed. We schedule the right amount of concrete to arrive when we're ready. Our crew spreads, levels, and finishes the surface before it starts to set. The initial cure takes 24 to 48 hours, but full strength develops over 28 days. During this time, we protect the slab from damage and keep it properly moist for optimal curing.

Your Oviedo Concrete Co team handles all coordination with inspectors and stays on schedule so your building project moves forward smoothly. We provide documentation of the work for your records and warranty purposes.