Post Tension Slab: Done Right!

Laying a proper foundation to build a multistory house is extremely essential! Last thing a homeowner wants to deal with is cracks and too much shifting due to soil movement causing all kinds of structural issues. Good news is that experts at Metropolis Properties take this phase of homebuilding very seriously and cut no corners.

So ask your builder if they can provide you soil compaction testing reports. Not sure what that is? Let us explain. Before you lay down a foundation such a post tension slab, the soil underneath must be properly compacted. A soil test is conducted before the engineering plans are developed and such plans allow the structural engineer to determine what kind of slab should be built. Before you start the form work and lay down foundation, the soil must be compacted to ensure it can handle the weight.

And how does one make sure that the soil underneath is solid? That's where the soil compaction testing reports come in. A geotechnical test is conducted to ensure the pad built for the slab is properly conducted, moisture content is with in standards and the density test meets the requirements. Many builders skip this step and assume the soil is good to go, but what if it is not? Well, if your builder did skip this important step to save a few bucks, then your concrete foundation may be sitting on soil that may move causing you problems down the road.

Another critical element to ensuring that a post tension slab is done right is that laying the rebar and the tendons according to the structural drawing. As you can see in the picture above, the trenches are also dug deep and wide enough to create solid foundation.

With proper moisture barrier and rebar in place, this slab is ready for pour.