Concrete Slab & Foundation Work

Your foundation supports everything above it. Problems with foundation or slab work create issues that affect the entire structure. Cracks, settling, and water damage start with poor installation or inadequate preparation. These problems cost thousands to repair later, far more than doing the job right from the start.

We have seen the damage caused by contractors who rush foundation work or skip important steps. Settling floors, cracked walls, and moisture problems often trace back to foundation issues. Quality foundation work requires proper soil preparation, correct reinforcement, and attention to drainage. We do not cut corners because we know the consequences.

Critical Elements of Proper Foundation Work

• Soil evaluation and preparation: Different soil types require different approaches to prevent settling and movement.
• Proper drainage design: Water must drain away from foundations or it causes undermining and structural damage over time.
• Adequate reinforcement: Steel rebar or wire mesh strengthens concrete and prevents cracking from stress and movement.
• Correct concrete thickness: Load requirements determine how thick your slab needs to be for adequate support.
• Quality materials: The right concrete mix for your climate and use prevents premature failure.

Whether you need a foundation for a new garage, shed, addition, or other structure, we handle the entire process from excavation to finishing. Our experience with Merrimack soil conditions helps us anticipate and prevent problems before they occur.

Foundation work follows a specific sequence. Skipping steps or doing them out of order causes problems. We follow proven methods that ensure your foundation performs as intended for the life of the structure.

Site Preparation and Excavation

We start by marking utility lines and ensuring the work area is clear and safe. Excavation removes soil to the proper depth based on your foundation design and frost requirements. We check soil conditions as we dig because unexpected soil problems need to be addressed before continuing. Poor soil gets removed and replaced with engineered fill.

The excavation must be level and properly sized for your foundation. Too shallow and the foundation will not support the load properly. Too deep wastes money on extra concrete. We take time to get dimensions and depth right. Proper compaction of the base prevents settling that causes cracks and failures later.

Forms, Reinforcement, and Pouring

We build forms that hold concrete in the correct shape while it cures. Forms must be level, plumb, and properly braced to handle the weight of wet concrete. We install reinforcement according to engineering specifications or building code requirements. This includes rebar in footings and walls plus wire mesh or fiber reinforcement in slabs.

Concrete placement requires coordination and speed. Once we start pouring, we must finish before the concrete sets. Our crew has the experience and equipment to handle foundation pours efficiently. We vibrate concrete to remove air pockets and ensure it fills all spaces completely. Proper finishing creates the surface you need for your specific use.

Curing is the final critical step. Concrete continues gaining strength for weeks after placement. We protect fresh concrete from temperature extremes and maintain proper moisture levels. You need to wait for adequate curing before building on your foundation or loading your slab. We provide specific guidance based on weather conditions and concrete specifications. Similar attention to detail goes into all our concrete work, including driveway installations and patio projects.