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SubscribeNewsletterMagazine Archives

Concrete Subgrade

  • Q&A

    Mixing Concrete for a Small Slab

    The trick to pouring a large slab by yourself is to form it into smaller sections.

    3 MIN READ
    To support the concrete patio, the existing soil is compacted along with a 4-inch layer of gravel. Plastic sheeting over the gravel prevents water from draining into the base layers. Forming and pouring smaller sections eliminates the need for control joints.
  • How To

    Subgrade Tolerances for Insulated Concrete Slabs

    2 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Super-Insulated Slab Foundations

    11 MIN READ
  • How To

    Lowering a Basement Floor

    6 MIN READ
    New concrete footings formed beneath the existing ones made it possible to drop the basement floor 15 inches. A dimpled waterproofing membrane fastened to the interior face of the foundation wall and lapped over the new perforated drain tile provides an escape route for trapped moisture.
  • How To

    That Thang Is Leanin

    2 MIN READ
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  • Tools

    Crack-Free Slabs

    4 MIN READ
    A properly prepared subgrade should be uniformly compacted across the full area of the slab, leveled to within 1/2 inch.
  • Q&A

    Compacting Stump Holes

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Q&A: Is It Necessary to Compact Slab Sub-Base?

    2 MIN READ
  • How To

    Q&A: Garage Slab Drainage

    2 MIN READ
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  • JLC Classic

    Tips for Crack-Free Concrete Slabs

    10 MIN READ
    For a finished appearance at the slab edge, score the fiberboard on a table saw so the top 1/2 inch can be easily snapped off after the pour. Then finish the joint with sealant.
  • How To

    Layout Under the Slab

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    A Quick Cure for Problem Soils

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Special Report: Insect Infestations in Buried Foam

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Pouring a Shallow Frost-Protected Slab

    4 MIN READ
  • How To

    Specialty Finishes for Concrete Slabs

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Controlling Cracks in Concrete Slabs

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Q&A: Frostproof Slab-on-Grade

    3 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Hot-Weather Concreting

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Slab-on-Grade Foundations

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Cold Weather-Concreting

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Sub-slab Vapor Barriers

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Pouring Successful Slabs

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Q&A: Preventing Cracks in Concrete Slabs

    2 MIN READ
  • Products/Tools

    Kitchen & Bath: Hard Facts About Resilient Flooring

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Rural Driveways

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Insulated Slabs: Details and Practices

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Floating Slabs for Unheated Buildings

    1 MIN READ
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  • How To

    Builder’s Library – Simplified Design of Building Foundations

    1 MIN READ
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Trending

  • Tools

    Laser Levels

    9 MIN READ
  • JLC Case Study

    Building in the Unknown: Pushing Forward with Attainable Zero

    4 MIN READ
  • Backfill

    Why Do We Say Joists and Rafters?

    3 MIN READ
Editorial Cover

Digital Edition 2025

Only JLC subscribers have access to content from the May/June issue of JLC at this time. Articles will be posted online soon. In the meantime, feel free to browse the digital edition.

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