what to do before slab is poured for shop

herd · Jan 13, 2010

bdog said:
I am having a 50x50 shop being built. They have the forms set. I already put in the pipes for a future toilet and sink and ran a conduit for the lectrical coming in. Any thing else I should consider putting in before they pour the slab?

Run some 3/4'' pvc thru the wall edge going out in case you want to ever run an air line out to another building. Ditto for possible electrical going back out.

Someone mentioned termite pre-treat. I cannot stress how important this is, esp in the South. Pre-treat and then lay in poly for your vapor barrier. Use 4000# concrete with wire and not #000# with fibre. The cost will end up about the same and the wire is much stronger (and less aggravating) than the fiber.

If your contractor has not already done so, dig out the perimeter to at least 8'', that way washing/eroding won't be a problem and it will look much better. Are you rebarring the footers?

Use keyways every 12' for expansion and anywhere your form takes a turn or changes directions. Otherwise, I can guarantee your concrete will crack. You cannot stop concrete from cracking, but you can control it.

Do not leave any wood or other debris in the foundation that can rot and become a void. Of course, tamping also prior to pouring is a must.

mjncad · Jan 13, 2010

I'd sawcut the control joints in the floor. There is nothing more annoying than catching a caster in a tooled control joint.

I'd also put 2" of extruded polystyrene foam-board insulation under the slab if you can afford it.

Gary Fowler · Jan 13, 2010

I would never put anything protruding above the floor like eyebolts. You would be constantly tripping over them. IF you need attachment points for something, make them recessed into the concrete. Also for Texas Panhandle, I doubt that you need foam under the slab since you wont get a lot of frost heave like they do up north, same for the PEX tubing for slab heat, which is not very practical in the south.
If you ever think you may need a washer/ dryer in your shop, a drain connection would be advisable to go ahead and tie into your sewer system. I cancelled my plans for a shower drain in my shop, but now wish I would have left it in place just in case I someday wanted to put one in. I did plumb it for water, sink and commode which so far is all that I needed in the slab. Consider putting in water lines for a hot water heater and plumb the line to your sink as you build the walls.