Concrete Slabs & Flatwork
Solid, level surfaces for sheds, garages, equipment pads, and any area that needs durable concrete.
What is Concrete Flatwork
Flatwork is any horizontal concrete surface. This includes garage floors, shed pads, basement floors, equipment pads, walkways, and aprons. Basically, if it is concrete on the ground and mostly flat, it counts as flatwork.
These slabs need to be strong, level, and built on a solid base. The specific requirements change based on what the slab supports. A light shed pad is different from a heavy equipment pad or a garage floor that holds vehicles. We size the thickness, reinforcement, and base prep to match what you are building.
Good flatwork starts with good planning. We need to know what will sit on the slab, how water drains around it, and what soil conditions exist at the site. This information drives decisions about base material, slab thickness, and reinforcement. Just like concrete driveways, proper prep prevents problems later.
Common Flatwork Applications
Garage floors take a beating from vehicles, salt, and chemicals. We pour them thicker than basic slabs and add reinforcement to handle the weight and abuse. Proper slope toward the door helps water and melted snow drain out instead of pooling inside.
Shed pads give you a level, stable base for storage sheds, playhouses, or small outbuildings. The slab needs to extend past the building edges and sit high enough that water drains away. This prevents moisture problems and keeps the shed from settling.
We also pour flatwork for:
- •Generator pads and HVAC equipment pads
- •Dumpster pads and loading areas
- •RV parking pads and boat storage areas
- •Basketball courts and play areas
- •Workshop and storage building floors
- •Commercial loading docks and access areas
Each application has specific requirements. A basketball court needs to be perfectly level with smooth trowel finish. An equipment pad for a generator needs tie-downs and proper clearance. We build what you need based on how you plan to use the space.
How We Build Quality Slabs
A concrete slab is only as good as what sits underneath it. We excavate to stable soil, remove organic material, and build up a compacted gravel base. This base distributes the load and prevents settling that causes cracks.
Slab thickness depends on the load. Light duty residential slabs typically run 4 inches thick. Garage floors and driveways need 5 to 6 inches. Heavy equipment pads might go even thicker. We also add wire mesh or rebar for reinforcement based on the span and expected loads.
Drainage matters. We grade the site so water flows away from the slab. For garage floors, we slope toward the door. For exterior pads, we create positive drainage in all directions. Standing water accelerates concrete deterioration and creates ice hazards in winter.
Control joints manage cracking. Concrete shrinks as it cures and will crack somewhere. Control joints create planned weak points so cracks happen in straight lines where we want them, not randomly across the slab. On larger slabs, we space joints every 10 to 15 feet in both directions. Similar to our approach with patio installations, proper jointing extends the life and appearance of the concrete.
Need a Concrete Slab?
Tell us about your project. We will assess the site, discuss your requirements, and give you a clear quote on pouring the concrete slab you need.
(475) 575-0588