Advice on concrete slab

[neilly2]

Don't forget a couple things when pouring your slab:

1. Welded wire fabric - contrary to popular belief this is not reinforcing. But, it limits shrinkage cracks (the small spider cracks). If you want a re-inforced slab (I doubt it), you need to go to 5" thick with #3 rebar mats.

2. Control joints. These are 1/2" deep grooves that are saw cut in the concrete the day after the pour. They provide a place for the concrete to crack. They are usually sawn from column to column like a checkerboard. ALL concrete will crack in a floating slab, but you can prevent that one large diagonal crack through your barn the spreads apart slowly for years. The control joints can be caulked with a commercial grade caulk.

Of course, you're in Texas so frost heave isn't much of a concern.

I can answer all construction related questions.

 

[neilly2]

DON'T SET WOOD POSTS DIRECTLY ON CONCRETE.

I don't care if its glu-lam or pressure treated, eventually mother nature wins. Especially, with the new requirements in pressure treated wood---its not what you think for longevity.

Go to the Simpson Strong Tie website, or to Home Depot and get a post bracket that sets in the concrete and keeps your wood post 1" off the face of the concrete.

Sawn edges of pressure treated should be covered with tar.