Concrete Slabs in Kissimmee, FL

Concrete slabs carry the things that are hard to move: a shed full of tools, a backup generator, an AC condenser, a filled hot tub or a car. Around Kissimmee, the biggest difference between a slab that lasts and one that tilts is what goes on before the pour. That means compacting the sand underneath and setting the top high enough that rainwater runs away from it. A shed on a pad that sits in a puddle every afternoon from June through September will rot at the base. A generator pad that sinks on one side puts stress on its connections.

Slabs we pour

• Shed pads for storage sheds and workshops, with an optional ramp for a mower
• Garage floors for new detached garages and workshops, or replacements in existing ones
• AC and generator pads set level and above grade, sized for the equipment and the clearances it needs
• Hot tub bases, thicker and reinforced for the weight of a filled tub
• Trash can and side-yard pads to keep bins out of the mud
• Parking pads for a boat, trailer or RV beside the driveway

Thickness and reinforcement

HomeGuide's slab guide says shed foundations are usually about 4 inches thick and do not typically need reinforcement. On bigger sheds or soft ground we often add wire mesh anyway. Two-car garage floors are typically reinforced concrete 4 to 6 inches thick, according to the same guide. HomeGuide's patio guide calls for 6 inches with extra reinforcement under hot tubs. A boat or RV pad needs the driveway-level depth of 5 to 6 inches. We match thickness to what will sit on the slab.

Around the edge of a slab that will hold walls, the concrete is thickened so the walls have something solid to stand on. For a new garage or workshop, the building plans set those details and we pour to the drawings.

Keep it above the water

A NEON soil description from Osceola County shows a seasonal high water table about 20 inches below the surface. Kissimmee's flood guide also says most local flooding comes from ponding after heavy rain. For that reason, we set most pads slightly above the surrounding ground and slope the top so water runs off. We keep the slab out of any drainage swale between lots. A shed pad is made a few inches bigger than the shed so rain off the roof lands on concrete and runs away, not into soft ground at the base of the walls.

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Permits for new buildings

New sheds, garages and some equipment installations can need a building permit, and their location on the lot matters. The city's flood guide says all development within the City of Kissimmee requires a permit. Unincorporated areas follow Osceola County rules. Before we pour a slab for a new structure, we check what your address requires and work with whoever is supplying or framing the building. That way the slab size, edges and anchor points match what will sit on it.

Replacing a garage floor

An old garage floor that has cracked across or sunk in the middle can usually be replaced without touching the walls. We break out the old floor, compact the base, and pour a new slab sloped toward the door. Then we tie it to the existing stem wall or edge. A sealer or coating afterward makes oil and tire marks easier to clean.

When you can use it

HomeGuide's slab guide says people and pets can walk on a new slab after 1 to 2 days and vehicles can drive on it after 1 to 2 weeks. Full cure takes 28 to 48 days. A shed can usually go on within days, and we give you dates for heavier loads.