Garage & Barn Pad Services in Durango

How Do You Build a Garage Foundation? 

Before building, you will need to consider the size and function of the garage and consult with a builder. To ensure the garage meets your needs, you should discuss whether the space will be used for parking heavy-duty or small vehicles, as a storage space, and/or for both purposes. Once you outline what size the space should be, you can draw up plans and outline the specs for the foundation. 

Following the establishment of the space’s purpose and specs, you will need to prepare the site and get approval for the installation/work. Once you have approval permits, you can lay out where the foundation will go using stake and chalk (or a batter board). We can then prepare the soil by removing several layers and digging trenches (as professional excavators, you can trust that we will get this step completed efficiently and correctly). Then, to complete the installation of your garage foundation, the following steps must be completed. 

1. Dig and pour footings. Footings are structural elements that are made from rebar and poured concrete, and to install them, the dirt must be shoveled out according to your layout plans. Then, the rebar is placed in the trenches before concrete is poured into the trenches. 
2. Lay block walls. Once the footer is set, cement blocks will be installed for the slab to rest on top of when that is laid; concrete and rebar are added to the block interiors to maintain their structural integrity. This helps keep water out of your garage floors. 
3. Add gravel. Stone or gravel is then placed into the center of the block structure because the blocks formed a wall around the diameter of where the slab will be placed. At least four or five inches of stone should be distributed evenly across the space.  
4. Add a vapor barrier. To prevent condensation from impacting the garage floor, a plastic vapor barrier is placed on top of the stone. 
5. Pour the foundation slab. Fiberglass or metal reinforcement can be added before the slab is laid to prevent cracking. Concrete is then poured over the area and smoothed down. An expansion joint can be added in the center to also discourage cracking. 
6. Finish the garage foundation. A cutout can be added for the garage door based on the drawings/building plans that were given, and other finishing touches can be added. Then, you’re all set for the garage to be placed or built on the slab. 

Please be advised. This method of building a garage foundation is just one way to install conventional foundation slabs. If you opt to install another type of foundation (which we will discuss below), the process may differ slightly. Once you establish what type of foundation you plan to install, our professionals can explain the excavating and installation process more thoroughly.

Types of Building Foundations & Pads

Multiple types of pads and foundations can be installed in your residential property, which can make deciding which is right for your property complicated. Our professionals understand Colorado Residential and Building Codes, and we can advise you on what foundation will work best for your property and adhere to building regulations. Here are a few types of foundations and pads that may be installed as the base of your barn or garage. 

• Gravel pads. A gravel pad or foundation is a non-permanent structure that can support your barn on or near ground level. Gravel pads can be used on small or large structures, including horse barns, sheds, and parking areas; whether this type of foundation is best for your barn depends on various factors. Gravel pads have many benefits, including their impermanence (i.e. they can be easily removed if needed), permeability (i.e. they drain easily), and affordability. 
• Concrete foundation. A concrete foundation is permanent and is typically used for garages and other buildings. In most cases, these foundations can be installed within a couple of days, and they are known for being extremely durable. Concrete foundations can last for a lifetime (as long as 100 years), and they can insulate against colder temperatures, keep moisture out, and resist movement from the surrounding earth (when built correctly). 
• Pre-cast pad foundation. Pre-cast foundations are mixed in a factory with high-strength concrete by pouring concrete in a reusable mold that is adjustable to your specifications. These pad foundations are more affordable than cast-in-place pads and foundations. Many people use pre-cast concrete pads as the foundation for their pole barns because they are known for proving load-bearing and non-shifting support from high winds. 
• Concrete pillars foundation. Many barns use the foundation of a concrete pillar, which puts the building load on the soil and places pillars in the ground to support the foundation rather than pouring in a large slab. These foundations can support small or large structures; however, it is important to note that heavier structures will also require a structural grade beam to also be installed. Many pole barns utilize this type of foundation to protect the word posts from rotting. 
• Monolithic foundation. This type of foundation is also referred to as a Floating Slab or Slab-On-Grade Foundation and is popular in areas that are very rocky. This foundation is also great for smaller barns or sheds. 

Work with Our Team 

At Mountain Septic, we treat your home as it it’s our own, and we treat our customers like family. Our technicians prioritize building long-lasting relationships with our customers and are committed to providing high-quality services to our customers. Whatever your needs or concerns are, our team is equipped to listen to your ideas and concerns and come up with a personalized, creative solution for you. If you need help with your garage or barn foundation installation, you can trust us to get the job done right—the first time. 

Still, wondering why you should work with us? Here are a few other reasons why you can trust our professionals to help you with your pad or foundation needs. 

• We are dedicated to excellence. We want our customers to be satisfied with the final product as well as their service experience from start to finish, which is why we work hard to exceed your expectations.
• We are dedicated to efficiency. Not only do we ensure our technicians are well trained and able to do the job but we also prioritize time management on our projects. Your time is valuable, and you likely do not want us to be working on your property for longer than needed. When you retain our services, you can trust that we will get to work as soon as possible and that you won’t have to wait around for us to complete the job. 
• We are known for our effective communication. Communicating with our customers and understanding their needs is important to our team. We believe that we can’t get a job done right unless we clearly communicate with you throughout the project. 
• We are respected by our peers and customers. We are known for being extremely professional and great at our job by our customers and peers alike. You can read our reviews yourself.

To learn more about how we can help you, call (970) 238-7884 or complete our online contact form today.