CUSTOM CONCRETE: The Foundation for Technological Innovation

by Lauren Littlefield

Technology simplifies our everyday lives, it also makes the business of building homes, offices and other facilities safer and more efficient. For example, the advent of indoor plumbing was a great convenience but a luxury early on. It wasn’t until the end of the 19th century that a city (Chicago) completed a comprehensive sewer system. At that point, new construction procedures had to be created to correctly install the new plumbing technology. Those processes, in turn, allowed construction projects to more easily incorporate plumbing across the country.

Similarly, technology has greatly improved our ability to construct quality foundations for all projects, from single family residences to gigantic warehouses, and everything in between.

Centuries ago, foundations were assembled by hand – stone by stone or brick by brick. They often leaked moisture, had to be repaired again and again, or failed completely. Watch any old house renovation show and you’ll likely find a dark, damp cellar with brick or stone walls beneath the living areas of the home or cabin.

Today, steel-reinforced foundation walls and footings made of poured concrete are standard for new construction. And, much more than the terrain is taken into consideration before an ounce of concrete is poured.

Because a foundation should stand the test of time, it’s critical it remains dry and stable. Using new advances in construction technology, Custom Concrete pours quality, lasting foundations the first time, on every project.

It all starts with a plan. Years ago, Custom Concrete received a set of drawings on paper from customers. Today, most drawings are electronic. These digital drawings are quickly converted into a CADD (computer-aided design and drafting) system where we can pinpoint corners, coordinates, and determine exact dimensions. This also helps with identifying problem areas before an excavator is ever on site.

Custom Concrete uses this CADD data to layout jobs, formerly a task completed with tape measures. Now, advanced measurement instruments allow teams to layout the job much quicker and with more precision.

By combining the two-dimensional drawing and elevations from the jobsite, the CADD software creates a 3D rendering of the project. It helps the Custom Concrete team determine how much material is needed, how much soil needs to be removed from the site, and provides a much better idea of what the finished product will look like. This is particularly helpful on sloped lots with tricky terrains.

Custom Concrete also invests in the latest field equipment for everything from excavation, footings and walls, to waterproofing, drainage tile installation, pouring the concrete floor, and even backfilling around the home’s foundation. Through critical safety measures, an educated workforce, and the use of new technology, Custom Concrete stands by its commitment to provide customers with high-quality products and services.

To learn more about Custom Concrete, visit customconcrete.com.