SlabWorx

SlabWorx SlabWorx Concrete Contractors are the preferred concreters in the Bundaberg area for locals looking for quality, long-lasting results that are set to impress.

What is the plastic under a concrete slab for?On many slab jobs, especially enclosed building slabs, you will see a laye...
05/06/2026

What is the plastic under a concrete slab for?

On many slab jobs, especially enclosed building slabs, you will see a layer of plastic sheeting placed over the prepared ground before the concrete goes in.

This is commonly referred to as a vapour barrier or membrane.

Its job is to help reduce moisture vapour moving up from the ground and into the concrete slab.

That can matter for:

Shed slabs
Garages
Workshops
Internal floors
Areas that may later be sealed, coated or covered

Ground moisture moving through a slab can contribute to dampness issues, affect stored goods and create problems for some floor coverings or coatings.

It is important to understand that this membrane is not the same thing as “waterproofing” It does not replace drainage, site falls or proper water management around the slab.

Whether a vapour barrier, and what type of vapour barrier is needed depends on the type of slab, the building use and the project requirements.

Like most things in concrete, it is not there just for the sake of it.
It has a job to do.

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Concrete 101 🎓What does steel reinforcement actually do?Concrete is excellent at handling compression - forces that push...
03/06/2026

Concrete 101 🎓
What does steel reinforcement actually do?

Concrete is excellent at handling compression - forces that push down on it.

But it is much weaker in tension - forces that pull, stretch or bend it.

That is where steel reinforcement comes in.

Steel mesh and reinforcing bars are used to help the concrete better manage tensile stresses, distribute loads and hold the slab together more effectively when cracking occurs.

One common misconception is that reinforcement stops concrete from cracking.

It doesn’t.

Concrete can still crack from shrinkage, temperature changes, movement or loading. What well-placed reinforcement does is help control how the slab behaves, including helping keep cracks tighter and supporting the overall performance of the concrete element.

Placement also matters.

Steel needs to be positioned within the slab, not left sitting flat on the ground where it cannot do the job it was designed for.

Good reinforcement is not just about putting mesh in concrete.
It is about using the right reinforcement, in the right place, for the right purpose.

SlabWorx

Why are control joints cut into concrete❓️Because concrete moves.As concrete hardens and loses moisture over time, it na...
31/05/2026

Why are control joints cut into concrete❓️

Because concrete moves.

As concrete hardens and loses moisture over time, it naturally shrinks. That shrinkage creates internal stresses within the slab.

If those stresses are not relieved in a controlled way, the concrete may crack wherever it finds its own weakest point.

Control joints are used to create planned lines of weakness in the slab, encouraging shrinkage cracking to occur in a more predictable and neater location.

That is why a fine crack appearing inside a control joint is often not a failure - it is the joint doing exactly what it was intended to do.

The location, spacing and timing of joints matter. They need to suit the size, shape and type of concrete area being placed.

Control joints do not guarantee a slab will never crack anywhere else.
But they are an important tool in managing normal concrete shrinkage and reducing the likelihood of uncontrolled random cracking.

SlabWorx

How long before you can walk or drive on fresh concrete❓️It depends on the mix, the weather, the slab type and the advic...
29/05/2026

How long before you can walk or drive on fresh concrete❓️

It depends on the mix, the weather, the slab type and the advice given for that specific job - but as a general guide:

Foot traffic may often be possible after around a day, provided the surface has hardened sufficiently.

Vehicles usually need considerably longer. For many residential concrete surfaces, it is common to allow roughly a week before light vehicle use, and longer where heavier loads are expected.

But here is the part many people miss ⏬️

Concrete may be hard enough to walk on fairly quickly, but that does not mean it has reached its full design strength.

Concrete continues to gain strength over time, with its nominated strength commonly assessed at around 28 days.

Using it too soon - particularly with vehicles, machinery or point loads - can damage a surface that is still developing.

The safest approach is always to follow the advice given for the specific concrete work completed.
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Concrete does not simply “dry” and become hard.It hardens through a chemical reaction called hydration.When water reacts...
27/05/2026

Concrete does not simply “dry” and become hard.

It hardens through a chemical reaction called hydration.

When water reacts with cement, it forms the compounds that bind the concrete together and allow it to develop strength over time.

That is why curing matters.

Curing is the process of helping fresh concrete retain enough moisture, and in some cases controlling its temperature, so that hydration can continue properly during the early stages.

If concrete loses moisture too quickly - especially in hot, dry or windy conditions - it can contribute to:

Surface shrinkage cracking
Reduced surface quality
Poorer long-term durability
A weaker near-surface layer

There are a few different ways curing can be managed, depending on the job:

Curing compounds - sprayed onto the surface to help reduce moisture loss
Water curing - keeping the surface damp through methods such as misting, ponding or wet coverings
Plastic sheeting or covers - used to slow evaporation and protect the surface
Timing and weather planning - avoiding unnecessary exposure to harsh conditions where practical

Concrete may look finished the day it is poured, but its strength development is only just getting underway.

The first few days matter more than most people realise.

SlabWorx

What does “MPa” mean when people talk about concrete❓️You will often hear concrete described as 20 MPa, 25 MPa, 32 MPa a...
25/05/2026

What does “MPa” mean when people talk about concrete❓️

You will often hear concrete described as 20 MPa, 25 MPa, 32 MPa and so on.

MPa stands for megapascals, and in simple terms, it is a measure of the concrete’s compressive strength - how much load it can resist when pressure is applied to it.

That strength is generally assessed at 28 days, because concrete continues gaining strength well after it has been poured.

But here’s the important part:

Higher MPa does not automatically mean “better” for every job.

The right concrete strength depends on what the slab or surface is being used for, how it is designed, the expected loads, exposure conditions and the project requirements.

A light-duty path does not necessarily need the same specification as a driveway carrying vehicles.
A shed slab may have different requirements again depending on its purpose.

Concrete strength is one part of the overall design - not the whole story.

Thickness, reinforcement, subgrade preparation, joints, placement and curing all still matter.

SlabWorx

Not all concrete finishes are chosen just for looks.The surface finish affects how concrete looks, feels and performs in...
22/05/2026

Not all concrete finishes are chosen just for looks.

The surface finish affects how concrete looks, feels and performs in everyday use.

A few common examples:

Broom finish -
A textured surface commonly used outdoors where slip resistance matters, such as paths, driveways and external slabs.

Steel trowel finish -
A smoother, denser finish often used where a clean, flatter surface is wanted. It can suit certain covered or internal areas, but may be too slippery for exposed wet traffic areas.

Machine-trowelled finish -
Produced using a power trowel to create a flatter, tighter surface on larger slabs, often seen in sheds, workshops homes, and commercial-style floors.

Exposed aggregate -
The top layer is washed back to reveal the stone in the mix, creating a decorative and textured finish.

The “best” finish depends on the job.

A driveway, a shed floor, a pathway and a patio may all call for different decisions depending on appearance, use, traction and maintenance expectations.

Concrete is not just poured and smoothed off.
The finish is part of the design.

Be guided by the experts.

Concrete 101 🎓What is “slump,” and why does it matter❓️When concrete arrives on site, one of the things that affects how...
21/05/2026

Concrete 101 🎓
What is “slump,” and why does it matter❓️

When concrete arrives on site, one of the things that affects how it behaves is its slump.

Put simply, slump is a measure of the concrete’s workability - how easily it flows and can be placed.

A higher-slump mix is more fluid.
A lower-slump mix is stiffer.

That might make it sound like wetter concrete is better, especially if it is easier to move around.

But it is not that simple.

Adding excess water on site can make concrete easier to place in the short term, but it can also:

Reduce final strength
Increase shrinkage
Increase the risk of cracking
Affect surface durability
Change the mix from what was originally specified

That is why good concrete supply is about achieving the right workability through proper mix design, not just throwing in more water to make the job easier.

The right slump depends on the job, the placing method and the finish required.

Good concrete needs to be workable - but it also needs to perform.

Comparing concrete quotes❓️Look past the bottom line.Two quotes can both say “concrete slab” or “driveway” and still be ...
18/05/2026

Comparing concrete quotes❓️
Look past the bottom line.

Two quotes can both say “concrete slab” or “driveway” and still be pricing very different jobs.

The finished concrete is only one part of the cost. What sits behind the quote matters just as much:

Site preparation - excavation, removal of unsuitable material and getting the area ready
Base work - gravel or road base where required, placed and compacted properly
Concrete thickness - suited to the intended use, not guessed
Reinforcement - steel mesh or other reinforcement where required
Formwork and set-out - ensuring the job is the right size, shape and level
Drainage and falls - so water moves where it should
Access and placing method - whether the job needs wheelbarrows, a pump or special access planning
Finishing and control joints - the details that affect appearance and performance

A cheaper quote is not automatically wrong. A higher quote is not automatically better.

But if you are comparing prices, make sure you are comparing the same scope of work.

With concrete, the parts you do not see once the job is finished are often the parts that make the biggest difference.

SlabWorx

Concrete 101 - What is concrete actually made of❓️A lot of people use the words cement and concrete as though they mean ...
17/05/2026

Concrete 101 - What is concrete actually made of❓️

A lot of people use the words cement and concrete as though they mean the same thing - but they don’t.

Cement is only one part of the mix. It acts as the binder. When water is added, it starts a chemical reaction called hydration, forming a paste that coats and locks the other materials together as it hardens.

A typical concrete mix is made up of:

Cement - the primary binding agent
Water - activates the cement
Sand - the fine aggregate that fills smaller voids
Stone - the coarse aggregate that gives the concrete bulk, strength and stability

But modern concrete is often more than just those four ingredients.

Depending on the required performance, the mix may also include:

Supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash or slag, which can improve workability, long-term strength and durability
Chemical admixtures such as plasticisers, retarders, accelerators or air-entraining agents, used to change how the concrete flows, sets or performs in certain conditions

The balance matters.

Too much water can make concrete easier to place, but it can also reduce strength, increase shrinkage and make cracking more likely. Aggregate grading, cementitious content, admixtures and workability all influence how the concrete behaves both during the pour and over the long term.

So no — concrete is not just “wet cement.”

It is a designed material, and getting the mix right is one of the first steps toward a strong, durable result.

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50 Woondooma Street
Bundaberg Central, QLD
4670

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Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
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