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Hi J&R
I haven’t posted in a while because I wasn’t able to reply (possibly issues on both ends).
Well, Just wanted to share some advice on the concrete slab just poured.
Depending on the type of concrete, it can take up to 6 months to properly cure (harden).
If you have a choice, don’t be so quick to start framing or blocking. Give the concrete time to cure before putting a load on it. When builders continue building on the slab quickly, small cracks appear often times. The builder’s call this “settling”. One of the main reasons for the cracks (beside premature loads) is the chemical reaction. If you put your hand on a concrete slab curing, you will notice it’s warm to the touch. This chemical reaction dissipates the water (moisture) in the concrete. When the water is gone and the chemical reaction is still continuing, then cracks start to form. I could not see the prepping of the pad, but if done correctly it should have been bug sprayed then a visqueen membrane that seals the soil from the bottom of the concrete pad. This will also prohibit the concrete pad from getting needed moisture from the soil during the chemical reaction time. So, a good idea is to lightly mist a water hose (not a heavy stream–don’t want to create voids in the finish surface) over the pad daily (hove much depends on the outside temperature). Just a little advice. Also, check the contract because most concrete slab contracts have a clause that allows them to be off level 1/4″. This doesn’t seem much, but wait until you’re installing the flooring.
