Concrete Slab & Foundation Work

Why Foundation Work Demands Experts

Your foundation supports everything above it. Get it wrong and you're looking at cracks, settling, and expensive repairs down the road. We've seen too many DIY foundation disasters and cheap contractor shortcuts. Foundation work isn't the place to save money by cutting corners.

In Buckeye's soil conditions, proper foundation work requires understanding how the ground moves with temperature and moisture changes. Arizona's clay soils expand when wet and shrink when dry. A foundation that isn't designed for this movement will crack. We know the local conditions and build accordingly.

Whether you're building a new home, adding a room, constructing a shop, or replacing a damaged foundation, the process matters more than you might think. Soil testing, proper grading, moisture barriers, reinforcement, and concrete quality all factor into a foundation that lasts 50 years or more.

Our Foundation Installation Process

Here's What We Do to Build It Right

Foundation work starts long before we pour concrete. Site evaluation tells us about soil conditions, drainage patterns, and any special considerations. We look at the building plans and calculate the load requirements. This determines slab thickness, reinforcement needs, and whether you need a thickened edge or stem wall.

• Comprehensive site evaluation and soil testing
• Precise excavation to proper depth and dimensions
• Compacted gravel base with vapor barrier installation
• Reinforcement with rebar grid per engineering specs
• Quality concrete mix at proper thickness for load requirements
• Professional finishing and extended curing period

After excavation, we compact the soil and add a gravel base. A vapor barrier goes on top to prevent moisture from wicking up through the slab. Then comes the reinforcement. Most residential slabs need a rebar grid. The spacing and size depend on the building's weight and span. We pour concrete at the engineered thickness and finish it level. Curing takes time. We protect the concrete and keep it moist for proper strength development.

Types of Slabs and Foundations We Build

Monolithic slabs are popular for residential construction. The slab and foundation pour as one piece, creating a solid base. They work well on stable soil and are cost-effective. Stem wall foundations have a concrete block or poured wall sitting on a footing with the slab poured inside. This design works better on sloped lots or where frost depth matters.

For shops, garages, and commercial buildings, we often increase the thickness and reinforcement. Heavy equipment and vehicle traffic demand stronger slabs. We also handle foundation additions when you're expanding an existing building. Matching the new foundation to the old one requires careful planning.

Post-tension slabs use cables tensioned after the concrete cures. This technique allows for larger pours with fewer cracks. It's common in commercial work and some residential applications. Whatever type you need, we have the experience and equipment to do it right.

Foundation Work Questions