Sure, you might be satisfied to call a concrete contractor and let him tell you what you need.
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Do Your Research
That’s when it pays to do a little research.
Lousy concrete slabs are all too common.
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Don’t believe it.
If the soil or base beneath the slab shifts or settle, the result can be a cracked slab.
Good ground preparation starts with removing the topsoil.
(Soil that has been dug up before should be compacted.)
The gravel or stone also needs to be compacted.
Vapor barrier products manufactured specifically for use under concrete are the best choice.
Building codes offer requirements for the concrete mix, which vary by region.
The problem is that adding water can also make for a weaker slab.
Contractors can add plasticizers to the mix that create an easier flowing mix without compromising the compressive strength.
Fiber reinforcement is another inexpensive product that you should insist on.
The fibers are mixed in with the concrete and produce a stronger slab.
Still, many contractors continue to add the cheap insurance offered by reinforcement.
But the same thing happens with concrete.
Finishing and Curing
Once the concrete has been poured, it needs to beleveled and smoothed.
Expansion grooves should becut into the wet concreteto provide additional crack resistance.
Then, the new slab needs to be left alone.
Concrete doesn’t dry out; it undergoes a chemical curing process that creates a dry, solid mass.
The top surface needs to remain wet while the curing process takes place.
Contractors often spray curing compound on top of the slab or cover it with sheeting to reduce evaporation.
you might also offer to spray a little water on the slab every day while it cures.
