As the premium garage builders Nashville, we have found one of the most difficult and important parts of your garage is the slab. Of course, your site will dictate what you will have to do with your slab, in this article we will address several different scenarios’ Slabs on level ground, slab on grades falling from front to back and slab falling from back to front. But first I would like to discuss footings. The footing is required by codes everywhere and is essential to the long term stability of your garage. Footings are the foundation of concrete which supports all perimeter load-bearing walls. Footings are required to be below grade a minimum of the freeze lines for your area. But in the middle of this work, when you feel that the foundation is revealing signs its time to call foundation repair experts to get it cleared as soon as possible before it is too late. In my state the freeze line is considered 8” below grade, this varies, depending on the area of the county you live in, In Kentucky, its,24” and as you go north the requirements continue to go deeper. In areas with sandy soil such as Florida, the width and depth are also required to be greater. Rebar is also required in most areas, usually at least 2 strands of ½” around the perimeters. Rebar should be set 4” above the bottom of footings, using chairs. Codes require any spliced rebar overlap a minimum of 2 ft. We suggest that you contact your local codes department exact specifications. In all cases a minimum of 4” thick slab should be poured, we recommend a minimum of 3500 psi concrete with fiber additive.
Slab on level sites: Monolithic turndown slabs as they are called, are slabs which are formed and poured with the footings and floor all at the same time. These slabs require a fairly level site (my cut off is within 24” of the level.) Turn down slabs should be formed at least 8” above grade so that framings are adequately above the moisture of the ground. These garage builders Nashville slabs should have a minimum of a 4” gravel base with a 6 mil. Poly moisture barrier spread over top of the gravel. Make sure adequate bracing is installed around the perimeter of forms to prevent bowing when concrete is poured. To get epoxy paint as well you can view the site and also consult experts to do whatever is best.
Slabs on sites falling from front to back: Any site that is more than 24” out of level usually will require a block foundation. With this type of application, footings will be dug and poured first. Blocks will be laid and the concrete pour inside of the block. If block height exceeds 4ft. a tall block should be reinforced with rebar tied from the footings up through the block and core fill with concrete. If block height exceeds 5ft. then you should consider going with 12 in. wide blocks and reinforced with rebar and core filling. If 12in. blocks are required, adjust footings to allow for 4in. of concrete to each side of the block. Codes require a minimum of 4” concrete to each side of blocks, using 8in. block footing must be 16in. wide, using 12” block footings should be 20in wide. After the block is installed, gravel fill should be used to bring up to the desired level and 6 mil moisture barrier laid over gravel. With block foundations, slabs can be poured with a couple of inches of fall towards the front.
Slabs on sites falling from back to front: This particular situation will require excavation from a none garage Builders Nashville company. Dirt will need to be removed to approximate the driveway level. Blocks will be laid similar to above and will be below grade. All blocks below grade must be water sealed from the outside, to ensure water will not leak through blocks. We generally recommend installing a French drain to the outside of blocks below grade. A French drain consists of a 4” perforated drainage pipe surrounded with gravel, which will ensure that water will be drained and eliminate water standing near blocks and in case that you have any problem it will be easier for an emergency plumber to repair it. Rules for sizing blocks, footings, and reinforcing will apply as above. It is best to contact a drain plumber who is experienced to get quality drainage and plumbing services.
It is difficult to discuss every situation as the premium garage builders Nashville, but the above guidelines should encompass the majority of situations you may encounter. Installing a slab correctly is difficult and should only be done by professionals. As always be sure your contractor is licensed, bonded and insured and ask for references. This article should give you an idea of what to look for.
Garage Builders Nashville | Building a Garage: Installing a Slab
