Foundation work
Slab Foundations in the Lake Livingston Area
Slab-on-grade concrete foundations for new homes, garages and sheds, built on a properly prepared site so the slab starts out level and stays that way.
The most common foundation for new builds
A slab-on-grade foundation is a concrete slab poured directly on prepared ground, with thickened edges or beams underneath to carry the load. It is the foundation under a great many homes, garages and outbuildings in Texas.
Onalaska Builders pours slab foundations with our own crews. Because we also do the clearing, grading and house pad, the ground under your slab is prepared by the same company responsible for the slab itself.
We pour slab foundations for:
- New homes and lake houses
- Attached and detached garages
- Sheds and other outbuildings
The process
How a slab foundation comes together
A slab is only as good as the steps before the pour. The general sequence is:
- Site preparation. The lot is cleared and graded, and a compacted house pad is built to raise the slab above the surrounding ground.
- Layout and forms. The footprint is laid out and forms are set to shape the slab edges.
- Trenching and under-slab work. Trenches are dug for the thickened edges and interior beams, and plumbing that runs under the slab is put in place before the pour.
- Reinforcement and vapor barrier. The slab is prepared with reinforcement and a moisture barrier as the foundation design calls for.
- The pour and finish. Concrete is placed, leveled and finished, then left to cure before building starts on it.
If your house plans include a foundation design, the slab is built to that design.
Choosing a foundation
Slab or pier and beam?
Both are common in East Texas, and neither is right for every lot.
- A slab sits close to the ground on a level pad. It suits level or leveled sites, leaves no crawl space for pests or moisture, and is a common, practical choice for homes, garages and outbuildings.
- Pier and beam raises the floor on piers or block walls, leaving a crawl space. It can work with more slope, and plumbing and wiring under the floor stay accessible for later repairs.
The better fit depends on your lot, soil, drainage, the building design and your budget. It is worth deciding early, because it affects how the site is prepared.
Keeping it level
What helps a slab stay level for the long run
Most slab problems trace back to the ground underneath moving unevenly. A few things make a real difference:
- A well-built pad. Compacted fill gives the slab an even base instead of loose soil that settles.
- Water moving away from the house. Grading and drainage keep water from collecting along the slab edges.
- Gutters that discharge away from the foundation. See our gutter services.
- Watching for early signs. New cracks, sticking doors or sloping floors are worth checking. See foundation repair.
Lake and timber country
Slab foundations around Lake Livingston
Sites across Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties vary from high, level ground to sloped lake lots and low areas that hold water, and soil changes from one property to the next. Those conditions affect how high the pad should be and how the ground around the slab is shaped.
We pour slab foundations within about 35 miles of Onalaska, including Livingston, Point Blank, Coldspring, Shepherd, Groveton, Trinity, Huntsville, Cleveland and Willis. See our full service area.
More foundation work services
Related services
Questions
Slab Foundations questions
What is a slab-on-grade foundation?
It is a concrete slab poured directly on prepared ground, with thickened edges or beams underneath to carry the load. It is a common foundation for homes, garages and outbuildings in Texas.
Is a slab or pier and beam better?
Neither is right for every lot. Slabs suit level or leveled sites and leave no crawl space. Pier and beam can work with more slope and keeps plumbing under the floor accessible. The choice depends on the lot, soil, drainage, design and budget.
Do you prepare the pad as well as pour the slab?
Yes. We handle land clearing, grading and house pads as well as the slab, so the ground and the foundation are prepared by the same company.
How do I get an estimate for a slab foundation?
Call (806) 480-0328 or send the estimate form with the town or ZIP code, what the slab is for and its rough size. If you have house plans, mention whether they include a foundation design.
Get started
Ready to pour your foundation?
Tell us where the lot is and what you are building. Send the form or give us a call.