Slab
Sheet under review by our engineersA slab is a large, flat, reinforced concrete surface that serves as a floor for a storey or a foundation for your house. It's what allows you to walk on it, place your furniture, or what separates the ground floor from the first floor.
Why it matters for your home
The slab must be strong enough to support the weight of people, furniture, and walls on upper floors. If poorly calculated or poured, it can sag, crack, or even collapse, endangering the entire house structure.
The African context
Often, to save money, the slab thickness or amount of rebar is reduced. With intense heat, concrete can dry too quickly and crack if not properly moistened after pouring. We see slabs vibrating or sagging prematurely.
Red flags
- ⚠ The contractor proposes a very thin slab without technical justification.
- ⚠ Rebars are laid directly on the ground without spacers to elevate them.
- ⚠ The concrete is mixed with too much water or not enough cement.
- ⚠ No protection is planned for fresh concrete (drying too quickly in the sun).
Questions to ask
- 1. "What will be the slab thickness, and what are the diameter and spacing of the rebars?"
- 2. "How will you ensure proper concrete curing after pouring?"
- 3. "Are rebar chairs/spacers planned?"
Cost hint (indicative)
From 10,000 to 25,000 FCFA/m² (reinforced concrete), depending on thickness and rebar, excluding formwork.
At this stage of your project?
An independent DiasporaBuild inspector can verify on site before you pay.