Concrete Pads in Colorado Springs, CO

Concrete Pads in Colorado Springs, CO

Concrete pads are the foundation slabs that support everything from a 60-pound AC condenser to a 7,000-pound loaded dumpster. We pour pads across Colorado Springs for HVAC equipment, generators, sheds, hot tubs, dumpster enclosures, garbage cans and outdoor kitchens. Sized correctly, reinforced properly and finished cleanly.

Every pad we pour starts with a properly compacted base, fiber or rebar reinforcement appropriate to the load, and 4,000-PSI air-entrained concrete to handle Colorado Springs freeze-thaw. Thicknesses range from 4 inches for AC pads up to 8 inches for dumpster and heavy-equipment pads.

Pads can be poured in a single morning visit and are walkable within 24 hours. We'll confirm placement, slope, drainage and electrical/plumbing pass-through before pouring.

• AC / heat-pump pads - 3 ft x 3 ft typical
• Shed pads - 4-inch reinforced slab
• Hot tub pads - 6-inch slab with rebar grid
• Dumpster pads - 8-inch reinforced slab
• Generator and equipment pads
• Sloped pads with built-in drainage where required

Sizing the Pad to the Load

AC condensers are light (60-200 lbs) but need a level pad - 3'x3' at 4 inches thick is standard. Sheds need a pad sized to the building footprint plus a 4-inch overhang, at 4 inches thick with fiber mesh. Hot tubs need 6 inches with #4 rebar at 18-inch spacing, large enough to support the tub plus full water plus people. Dumpster pads need 8 inches with a doubled rebar mat to handle truck-tipping loads.

Slope, Drainage & Pass-Throughs

Pads that catch rainwater need to slope away from buildings at 1-2%. AC pads should slope slightly toward the condensate drain. Hot tub pads need access for plumbing and electrical conduits - we set sleeves in the slab before pouring so the trades have a clean pass-through. Tell us about your equipment plans during the estimate and we'll plan accordingly.

Curing Before Loading

Concrete reaches 70% strength at 7 days and full design strength at 28 days. AC condensers, sheds and dumpsters can usually be placed at 7 days. Hot tubs - because of the much higher point load - should wait the full 28 days before water and equipment are loaded. We'll mark fresh slabs and confirm cure times when we walk you through the final.

Permits & Code

Most residential pads under 100 sq ft don't require a permit in Colorado Springs, but the city does have setback rules for sheds and HVAC equipment. We'll mention any potential code issues during the estimate so you're not surprised - though we don't act as your code consultant.