Concrete Slabs in Gilbert, AZ

Concrete Slabs are the plain workhorses of residential concrete: flat pads that hold up sheds, RVs, hot tubs, air conditioning units, workshops and garages. They do not need to be pretty, but they need to be level, thick enough and on a base that will not move. A shed on a slab that sinks at one corner will have doors that stop closing. A spa on a pad that is not level will strain its frame.

Common slabs in Gilbert yards

• RV and trailer pads beside the house or behind a side gate
• Shed and storage pads in the back corner of the yard
• Spa and hot tub pads sized and leveled for a full tub of water
• AC and equipment pads to replace cracked or tilted pads
• Workshop and casita slabs for detached structures
• Trash and bin pads that keep the side yard clean

Sizing the slab to the load

Thickness and reinforcement depend on what will sit on the slab:

• Foot traffic, sheds and small equipment: usually 4 inches with mesh or rebar
• RVs, trailers and heavy trucks: thicker concrete with rebar, often 6 inches
• Structures: slabs for buildings may need thickened edges or footings, and plans or a permit; we confirm with the Town of Gilbert before we pour

HomeGuide's slab guide notes that a cubic yard of concrete covers about 81 square feet at 4 inches. That is one reason a 6-inch RV pad costs noticeably more than a shed pad of the same footprint.

The base matters most

Most slab problems start in the ground. We remove grass, roots and loose fill, then compact a gravel base in layers. Sonoran Desert soils can include caliche, a hard, cemented layer that does not drain well; if we hit it, we adjust excavation and plan for water so it does not sit under the slab. We also check where irrigation, sewer, gas and electrical lines run before digging.

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Access in a walled yard

Most Gilbert backyards are enclosed by block walls, and the only way in may be a side gate. That affects how concrete gets to the pour: by wheelbarrow, by pump, or by removing and rebuilding a section of gate. We look at access during the estimate and include the method in the quote so there are no surprises on pour day.

Slab care

• Keep water from pooling at the edges by grading soil away
• Do not park heavy vehicles until the full cure, around 28 days
• Seal exposed pads to slow staining and surface wear
• Watch for cracks that widen or edges that drop, and call early