Slab Finishing Complete - Saw Cuts and Perimeter Fill
Photo Details
- Date: October 31, 2025
- Time: 1:50 PM EDT
- Weather: Partly cloudy to overcast, 48-52°F. Good conditions for finishing work.
- Phase: Foundation - Post-pour finishing and saw cutting
- Location: 309 E. 7th St., Clare, MI
- View: Northeast corner perspective looking southwest
Description
This photo documents the completed concrete slab one day after the October 30 pour, showing professional finishing work by the cement contractor including control joint saw cuts, form removal, and perimeter backfilling. The slab has progressed from fresh pour to a finished foundation ready for construction.
Visible Elements
- Control Joint Saw Cuts:
- Multiple parallel control joints cut across slab surface
- Professional straight cuts dividing slab into sections
- Cuts help control cracking by creating intentional weak points
- Standard practice for large concrete slabs
- Cuts appear to be approximately 10-12 feet apart
- Clean, precise cutting with minimal concrete dust visible
- Slab Surface:
- Concrete has cured for 24+ hours
- Surface shows slight color variations (normal curing pattern)
- Darker patches indicate moisture variations
- Clean surface with minimal debris
- 24’ x 40’ (960 sq ft) garage footprint
- Smooth finished texture maintained after saw cutting
- Forms Removed:
- All wooden perimeter forms have been removed
- Clean, straight slab edges exposed
- Form removal indicates sufficient curing strength achieved
- Edges appear square and professional
- Perimeter Backfilling:
- Dirt/soil filled in around slab edges
- Dark brown excavated soil used for backfill
- Some loose soil and debris around perimeter
- Backfill provides support and transitions to grade
- Visible on right side and foreground
- Site Context:
- White lattice privacy fence on left side
- Neighboring houses visible in background
- Overcast sky with even lighting
- Fall season with autumn colors in trees
- Construction site still shows excavation work areas
- Utility pole and power lines visible in background
Construction Progress
Completed since October 30 pour:
- ✓ Initial curing period (24+ hours)
- ✓ Control joint saw cutting
- ✓ Form removal from perimeter
- ✓ Backfilling around slab edges
- ✓ Site cleanup around foundation
Technical Notes
Control Joints (Saw Cuts):
- Purpose: Control where concrete will crack as it cures and settles
- Timing: Cut 4-12 hours after pour (early enough to guide cracks, late enough for surface strength)
- Depth: Typically 1/4 of slab thickness (approximately 1 inch for 4-inch slab)
- Pattern: Creates sections to manage shrinkage stress
- This is standard professional practice for slabs this size
Curing Status:
- 24+ hours after pour (October 30, 9:24 AM to October 31, 1:50 PM)
- Surface strength adequate for form removal
- Color variations show ongoing curing process
- Continued curing needed for full 28-day strength development
- Important to keep moist during curing period
Next Steps
With forms removed and saw cutting complete:
- Continue curing period (keep concrete moist)
- Complete perimeter backfilling
- Grade around foundation for drainage
- Wall framing can begin when sufficient cure time has elapsed
- Protect slab surface from construction damage