Slab foundation construction in Vancouver, WA and Clark County

How a slab foundation is built

The site is dug out and graded, and a layer of gravel is compacted into a firm, flat base. Around the edges the concrete is poured thicker, or sits on footings, so the walls have something solid to stand on. A vapor barrier goes over the gravel on slabs inside a building, rebar or wire mesh is set in place, and anchor bolts go in along the edges for the walls.

Slab foundations for garages, shops and sheds

Tell us what the slab will hold. A garage that sees a car needs a different slab than a shop with a lift, heavy tools or a truck. Floors inside a building are usually finished smooth so they’re easy to sweep, and sloped toward the door or a drain if they’ll get wet.

Slab plumbing and permits

Any pipes or conduit that run under the slab have to be in place before the pour, so that work gets scheduled first. Slabs for new buildings usually need a permit and an inspection of the base, the steel and anything under the slab before the concrete goes in. Small sheds can be exempt depending on their size.