Have you ever wondered how Austin concrete slab installation works? Concrete slabs are everywhere. They’re the sidewalks you walk on, the ultra-strong parking lots you drive on and even the foundation your home sits on! But how does a concrete slab company construct them?
Here’s a quick step-by-step breakdown of the concrete slab installation process.
How Does a Concrete Slab Company Prepare the Site?
Everything begins with careful site prep. Your concrete slab needs a stable soil and subgrade material foundation to sit on. Subgrade prep comes later. Before any of that work can commence, teams must excavate.
Excavation can include removing plants, digging up roots and creating shallow trenches that will ultimately hold the slab.
Does Austin Concrete Slab Installation Require Subgrade Preparation?
Subgrade refers to the material that sits below the concrete slab. Slab installation in Austin requires strategic subgrade preparation and engineering. It directly impacts the surface’s weight-bearing capacity and overall strength.
Your concrete slab company will perform soil testing to determine what steps to take to fine-tune the subgrade. Depending on the project, that might involve adding crushed aggregate. Slab installation also requires land grading to ensure proper drainage and elevation.
How Do Contractors Reinforce a Concrete Slab in Austin?
The next step for slab installation in Austin is to build the form and add reinforcement. Slabs start as wet concrete slurry, so a form is necessary to hold the shape until the material fully cures.
Reinforcement helps to strengthen the concrete slab and improve its resistance to cracking. Many materials are available, and your concrete slab company will determine what’s appropriate based on the engineering plans.
The most common reinforcement material is steel rebar. Teams use it to create a grid-like pattern within the concrete slab. Austin concrete slab installation may also require other materials like concrete mesh.
How Do Professionals Pour Wet Concrete During Installation?
After preparing the right wet concrete formula, it’s time to pour! How slab installation professionals approach this task varies depending on the scope of your project and how accessible it is. Sometimes, the truck will drive up to the form, allowing teams to pour it using a series of troughs. In other cases, your concrete slab company may use a pump to hose it to the form or use wheelbarrows.
Either way, the slurry needs compaction. Teams will use various tools to remove air pockets and ensure the concrete has the right density.
Will a Concrete Slab Company Create a Finish
Smoothing is one of the last steps before your concrete slab takes its final shape. When you get concrete slab installation, you can choose between several finishes. Slabs can be smooth, brushed, stamped, and more.
Once the concrete slurry is in the form, contractors can create a uniform surface and add the final finish. Contractors have numerous tools for this job, but the most commonly used are screeders and trowels.
If the plans call for them, contractors will also create joints. Control and expansion joints provide resilience and help the finished slab stay strong for decades.
Does the Austin Concrete Slab Installation Process Require Curing?
Last but not least, there’s curing. The final step of slab installation in Austin can take several days. Most concrete slab installation projects need at least seven days of curing time before the surface is usable. But it’s not until 28 days later that the concrete fully cures.
Curing is a complex process. It’s a balancing act that requires teams to keep the mixture hydrated enough to prevent issues while maintaining optimal temperature. To ensure the concrete hardens, contractors might apply chemical compounds, cover it to avoid rapid evaporation and rehydrate the mix several times during the initial curing period.
When you need a concrete slab in Austin, RDC Paving is here to serve! We’re experts in slab installation and have completed several successful projects for home and commercial property owners throughout Austin since 2014. We know the ins and outs of concrete slab installation and can deliver impressive results while providing reliable service every step of the way.
In addition to installing a concrete slab in Austin, you can turn to RDC paving for concrete repairs, asphalt paving, crack repairs, overlay, milling, sealcoating and more. We also do parking lot striping and repairs.
Hit us up to learn more and get a free quote for your concrete installation project in Austin or the surrounding areas. We’re available to talk by phone at (512)920-9155 or through email at ryan@rdcpaving.com. You can also provide your information with our online contact form, and we’ll get back to you soon!
