Concrete Slab & Foundation Work

Your foundation supports everything above it. Whether you're building a new home, garage, shed, or addition, the concrete slab or foundation needs to be level, stable, and built to code. Problems with foundations are expensive to fix later, which is why getting it right from the start is so important.

We've seen foundations poured by contractors who cut corners. Inadequate site preparation, insufficient reinforcement, or improper concrete placement lead to settling, cracking, and structural issues. These problems compromise the entire building. Fixing a bad foundation often costs more than doing it right in the first place.

Our approach focuses on thorough site preparation and following best practices for concrete placement. We take time to evaluate soil conditions, ensure proper drainage, and use appropriate reinforcement. The work might not be glamorous, but it's the most critical part of your building project. A solid foundation gives you peace of mind and protects your investment for decades.

Southern Utah soil and climate present specific challenges. We understand local soil composition and how it affects foundation stability. Clay soils expand when wet and contract when dry. Sandy soils drain well but need proper compaction. Rocky areas require different techniques. Our experience with local conditions means we know what works in Washington, UT and surrounding areas.

Foundation work follows a specific sequence. Each step builds on the previous one, and skipping steps or rushing leads to problems. Here's how we approach every foundation project.

We start with site preparation. This means clearing vegetation, removing topsoil, and excavating to the depth specified in your plans. The excavation needs to be precise because foundation dimensions matter. We verify measurements multiple times before proceeding. If we encounter unexpected conditions like unstable soil or high water table, we notify you immediately and discuss solutions.

Next comes base preparation. The soil at the bottom of the excavation gets compacted to create a stable surface. In some cases, we bring in gravel base material and compact it in layers. This base layer prevents settling and provides proper drainage. We also install any required vapor barriers to prevent moisture migration through the concrete.

Forming is the next critical step. We build forms from wood or metal that define the foundation edges and maintain proper concrete thickness. The forms must be level, properly braced, and accurately positioned. Any mistakes here show up in the finished foundation. We double-check everything before calling for inspection.

After inspection approval, we place reinforcement. Steel rebar is positioned according to engineering drawings. The steel must be supported at the correct height within the concrete pour. Proper rebar placement gives your foundation the strength to handle loads and resist cracking. This isn't something you want to cheap out on or skip.

Pour day requires coordination and speed. Concrete trucks arrive on schedule and we work efficiently to place concrete before it begins to set. Our crew levels and finishes the surface while the concrete is workable. For foundations, a smooth finish is typical. For slabs that will be visible like garage floors, we can apply different finishes.

The final step is curing. We protect the fresh concrete and keep it from drying out too quickly. Proper curing takes several days but develops the concrete's full strength. We'll tell you when it's safe to begin construction on your new foundation. Patience here pays off with a foundation that performs as designed for the life of your building.