A concrete slab is poured right on the ground.
How to install a floor clean out for concrete slab.
Use a trap to make sure that cleaning your drain is as easy as possible.
A slab foundation is usually less expensive to install than a full concrete wall foundation with a concrete floor.
To check if the floor has moisture tape a 2 x 2 clear plastic wrapper on the ground where you plan to install your new carpet.
New floors are easier to plan as you can lay out the pipes in place and then install the floor over top.
How to build a concrete slab.
Installing a hardwood floor over a concrete slab.
Experienced professionals pay close attention to managing moisture and minimizing wood floor expansion and contraction when preparing to install hardwood floors on concrete slabs.
To install vinyl plank flooring on concrete you ll first need to clean the concrete with soap and water and fill in any cracks with concrete filler.
If you are installing a locking or floating floor not attached to the subfloor just make sure that the subfloor is clean.
Before the concrete trucks come the contractor fills in the area over the network of plumbing pipes and drain lines with compacted sand.
If you have an existing floor you will need to break through the concrete to install the pipes using heavy machinery.
If there is moisture under the plastic it means that you need to use waterproof paint or moisture sealant on the floor before starting your installation project.
As needed use a concrete grinder you may want to rent one to remove any coating and to slightly roughen the concrete surface so the adhesive will stick.
The plumbing trenches are typically dug at the same time as the slab footings if any.
Then use a level to find any spots where the ground is uneven and apply concrete self leveling compound to even it out.
At this point you will no longer see the horizontal drainpipes and the main sewer line but you will see the stubs that extend vertically out of the sand.
The extra layer can even out any minor imperfections in the concrete or level it out if the concrete drops or sinks in some areas.
The important thing is that the concrete is smooth free of damages clean and dust free.
Even if your home was built on a concrete slab you can still enjoy the beauty and charm of hardwood floors.
However you don t need to add the extra subfloor layer.
In maine we install a lot of slabs on grade for houses and garages.
It may be applicable if your concrete is too old or too damaged.