Concrete Slab
A concrete slab is an essential part of any construction project, and you must get it right. A poor-quality slab can lead to structural problems down the road.
Port St Lucie Concrete Contractors are the experts when it comes to concrete slabs. We have years of experience in the industry, and our team is dedicated to providing you with the best possible service. Also, we always use high-quality materials to ensure a durable end product. Learn more about our concrete slab services as you read on.
What are Concrete Slabs?
A concrete slab is a popular structural element of buildings. It is a thick, flat, horizontal concrete surface usually used as a floor or a roof. More so, concrete slabs are used to construct the ground floor of some residential buildings as a support for the foundation or directly on the soil.
Concrete slabs are made of freshly poured concrete mix. Using a concrete mixer, contractors combine concrete materials. Then, pour the mixed concrete into a concrete slab form. Concrete forms vary from one project to another. Once done pouring concrete, we trowel wet concrete for a smooth finish, depending on the concrete finish you like. We then proceed with the curing process. Ideally, we should let the concrete cure for 28 days. But, concrete slabs should be ready for foot traffic seven days after installation.
Why Use a Concrete Slab?
There are many other construction materials in the market. But why install concrete slabs? Let us run down some of the significant reasons that make a concrete slab the best choice for your structural needs.
Durable
Experts have proven that concrete is a strong construction material. It's ideal for both small projects and larger ones. Slabs made of concrete last for years. With proper care and maintenance, it can surpass a lifetime even.
Affordable
Concrete is very affordable. It is by far one of the cheapest construction materials you will find. It's cost-efficient as well. Since it's easy to maintain, too, you get to save money in the long run.
Protective Barrier Against Insects
A concrete slab provides a protective barrier against harmful insects like termites. Unlike wood, insects cannot penetrate the slab. There is no way termites and other similar insects can harm the structural integrity of your building.
Good Thermal Mass
A concrete slab helps maintain an appropriate internal temperature all year round. You don't have to worry about too much heat or coldness. Your concrete slab can adapt to changing weather.
Moisture Barrier
A concrete slab serves as a moisture barrier. It protects the structure from damages caused by moisture or mildew. Thus, adding to its qualities that make it stand for years.
Our Concrete Slab Installation Process
Concrete installations can be tricky if you don't have the knowledge and skills for them. Port St. Lucie Concrete Contractors follow a strict concrete slab installation process that adheres to local codes and industry standards.
In all our concrete projects, safety is a top priority. Before starting any project, we make sure we equip ourselves with safety equipment. We wear eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, rubber boots, and gloves. All these protect us from concrete splashes, which could harm our overall health and well-being.
As with the process, we strictly follow below steps:
Step 1: Onsite Preparation
We follow the same process, whether it's a small concrete slab project or a larger one. We always start by preparing the site for all the projects we do. We clean up and get rid of waste so we can start on a clean slate. As part of the preparation process, we make sure all materials are on site. We schedule the delivery of materials before the actual work. This enables us to start and finish the project on time.
Step 2: Build Concrete Forms and Reinforce Concrete Slab with Steel
Once the site is clean and ready, we proceed with the installation of concrete forms using wire mesh. Concrete forms are solid barriers holding concrete mix in place. It also forces wet concrete to assume a particular shape or design. As for larger structures, we use rebar to reinforce concrete. This helps ensure stronger concrete surfaces.
Step 3: Mixing Concrete Mix
We use a concrete truck to make things easier. It also helps ensure concrete materials are properly mixed. Sometimes, we do manual mixing. But in most of our projects, a concrete mixer is a must.
Step 4: Pouring Concrete
Once done mixing concrete, we immediately pour a concrete slab into the forms. We do it carefully when pouring the concrete mix to avoid creating too many air pockets. The presence of air pockets results from not enough mortar filling the spaces around the aggregate. As we pour concrete, we make sure we spread the mix throughout the form - never missing a single spot.
Step 5: Level and Smoothen Wet Concrete Slab
Using a steel trowel, we level concrete until we achieve a flat surface. Meanwhile, we use a bull float to smoothen the surface. When doing so, we keep the leading edge slightly elevated by either raising or lowering the float handle. We plow wet concrete into low areas if the float angle is too steep. The bull float requires to pass three to four times. However, it is vital to know that water and cement that build up into the surface can weaken the surface if we float it too much. In addition, we use a plate compactor to strengthen the surface. Proper compaction is essential to prevent concrete from cracking.
Step 6: Create Control Joints
Control joints are planned cracks on slabs. These are essential to prevent cracks and other damages when thermal expansion and contractions happen. For control joints to be effective, they must be at least 1/4 of the thickness of the concrete slab. Its thickness needs to be 2-3 times that of the concrete slab. Our team of concrete experts handles proper measurements to avoid miscalculations.
Step 6: Cure Concrete Slab
A finished concrete slab is ready for foot traffic seven days after installation. But, concrete cures completely after 28 days. It is vital to allow concrete to dry properly. Doing so will enable you to enjoy a robust concrete slab for years.
Why Hire Us
There are plenty of reasons why you should hire Port St Lucie Concrete Contractors for your next concrete project. But, here are the most significant ones:
Licensed Concrete Company
Port St Lucie Concrete Contractors is a licensed company servicing the Port St. Lucie, FL area. Our company has been in the business for years. We continue providing world-class concrete services to anyone who needs it. As a licensed company, we adhere to local codes and industry standards. Thus, you can be confident we deliver only the best results.
Excellent Quality Slabs
We are proud of the work we do. In our years of existence in the concrete business, we never fail to provide world-class quality slabs. We follow a strict installation process to ensure we provide every client with the same quality of concrete work. Also, we make sure only to use high-quality materials and let only the experts do the job.
Affordable Concrete Services
Some people would rather DIY concrete projects instead of hiring experts. We understand why. Most of them do not want to spend a lot of money on concrete work. At Port St. Lucie Concrete Contractors, we offer the most competitive prices in our concrete services. Since we started, our goal has always been to provide quality concrete services at reasonable prices.
High-Quality Concrete Materials
Compromising the quality of our work is not part of our company vocabulary. That's for sure. At Port St. Lucie Concrete Contractors, we use only the best quality concrete materials. We source our concrete products from reliable suppliers and manufacturers across the country. Depending on the project, we export materials from other parts of the world. That is how serious we are in ensuring we deliver world-class quality results.
Free Cost Estimates and Consultation
In our mission to provide optimum customer satisfaction, our company offers free services. Contact us today and request a free quotation or consult about your upcoming concrete slab project. Our team of experts is more than happy to assist you. Rest assured, we provide realistic cost estimates and expert advice. We do not require any commitments, too.
Contact Us Today
You could call other concrete contractors in your area and hope for the best, or you could contact us. We're a small, family-owned business that takes pride in our work. We'll give you a high-quality concrete slab at a price you can afford. Call or message us online using the contact form today for a free estimate or consultation. We'll work with you to find the perfect solution for your concrete needs. Our team can answer calls and online inquiries every day during business hours.
