Slab on Grade Foundation Maintenance

Many building managers make the mistake of believing that a slab on grade foundation is a “set it and forget it” construction practice. Concrete foundations, like any other part of a building, require maintenance to ensure they remain structurally sound. 

It is important that building managers understand the importance of inspecting slab on grade foundations and scheduling maintenance for them when necessary. This will allow you to avoid any major issues down the road. 

Continue reading to learn more about the basics of slab on grade foundation maintenance.

Need assistance detecting issues, assessing needs for repairs or restoring concrete? Tendon has a team for that! Contact us to learn more about our world class construction services.

Slab on Grade Foundations

Slab on grade foundations are a great way to ensure the structural integrity of a building. To build a slab on grade foundation, first, the land is graded. This is where the name “slab on grade” comes from. The land has to be flattened before the foundation can be built. 

Then, a mold is laid out. Typically, wood, cement or steel is used to form the mold. Once the mold has been formed, the concrete is poured into the mold. There should be no space between the concrete and the ground. 

Slab on grade foundations are most commonly used in warmer climates, such as in the southern United States. This is because there is little to no concern about the freezing and thawing of the ground during colder seasons. 

Here are some of the advantages to using slab on grade foundation construction:

• Less expensive to construct
• Shorter construction time
• Lower utility bills for the  building owner
• Mold, mildew and pests underneath the structure are not a concern
• Sealable and repairable

These are only some of the reasons why an engineer may choose to use slab on grade foundations as opposed to other forms of foundation construction.

Importance of Slab on Grade Foundation Maintenance

Just like with any construction, it’s important to keep up with maintenance. Here is why you should maintain slab on grade foundations:

• Avoid costly and time consuming repairs
• Detect slab water leaks before they cause major damage
• Avoid slab fissures and cracks
• Ensure slab stability through soil moisture content checks and sprinkler installation
• Avoid damage caused by tree and vegetation roots
• Detect any minor issues before they become bigger problems

Overall, scheduling restoration services is key to providing the safest structure possible. Not to mention that you can save thousands of dollars and countless hours on big repairs when you schedule preventative maintenance. 

Inspection Checklist for Slab on Grade Foundations

Some building owners prefer to complete an inspection themselves before they call for maintenance. The main reason for this is to save money on maintenance checks. 

This should only be the case, however, if you know what you are looking for. 

Here is an inspection checklist for slab on grade foundations:

• Look for cracks near the foundation along the perimeter of the building.
• Check for large trees with thick roots and make sure they are not affecting the foundation.
• Look for soil or vegetation that has been removed or eroded near the foundation.
• If the foundation is visible (such as in a basement), check for any visible signs such as cracks or fissures. 
• Check for water damage on the foundation level floors.
• Check for any other signs that there is something wrong. 

If you are not comfortable performing an inspection of your foundation, you can always schedule an inspection. A professional will be able to point out any issue that may require maintenance. 

Slab on Grade Foundation Maintenance

After the inspection of a slab on grade foundation, if an issue is spotted then it’s important to schedule professional maintenance. There are many engineers and construction companies that can complete foundation maintenance. 

Crack or Fissure Filling For Foundations

One of the most common maintenance tasks is crack or fissure filling. While major cracks will require costly repairs, smaller ones do not require all that much from a professional. Many engineers use epoxy injections to seal the crack. Epoxy is also used as a foundation top coating depending on the need. 

Expansion Joint Replacement/FRP  Slab Reinforcement

A few other forms of foundation maintenance include expansion joint replacement, if applicable, and FRP slab reinforcement. Typically, FRP reinforcement is not used unless the slab load is increased. 

Before any reinforcement is completed, an engineer should complete concrete scanning of the foundation. This will help to determine how much reinforcement or repair is necessary. 

Slab on Grade Foundation Maintenance Services

Slab on grade maintenance is imperative to the safety of any structure. Always keep a professional in the loop in case something happens and you require service right away. 

At Tendon Systems, our team is dedicated to providing only the best foundation maintenance. 

Here are some of the services that we provide:

• Epoxy injections and top coating
• Expansion joint replacement
• Carbon fiber FRP/Fiberglass FRP for slab reinforcement

Our team also provides a variety of other services including post-tensioning, scanning and coring and engineering services. 

To get in touch with our team at Tendon Systems, give us a call at (678) 835-1100 or head to our website: https://www.tendonllc.com