Some of the most useful concrete jobs are small ones. A pad under an air conditioner keeps it level and out of the mud. A pad for a generator keeps it steady and safe. A pad for a shed or a hot tub gives you a solid base that does not sink. Done right, a pad can last for decades.
Waco Concrete pours concrete pads in Waco TX for homes, farms and small businesses. We are locally owned, we have 8 years in business and we give a free written estimate before work starts.
Common uses for concrete pads
The same simple idea works for many things. A flat, hard base holds weight and stays dry. We pour pads for central air units, heat pumps and mini splits. We pour pads for generators, propane tanks and water tanks. We pour pads for sheds, hot tubs, trash bins and outdoor kitchens.
Each use has different needs. A hot tub needs a very strong pad. A generator needs space for service. An air conditioner needs a pad that stays level.
- Air conditioner and heat pump pads
- Generator and propane tank pads
- Shed, hot tub and workshop pads
- Water tank and equipment pads
Sizing and building a pad
We start by asking what will sit on the pad and how much it weighs. Then we choose the size, the thickness and the steel. A light pad may be four inches thick. A heavy pad for a hot tub or a large tank may be five or six inches thick with more steel.
We also leave room around the equipment for service and for air flow. See concrete slabs for larger flat work and slab foundations for buildings.
Level and stable on Waco clay
A pad that tilts causes real trouble. An air conditioner that leans can break a line. A generator that sinks can leak. Waco clay moves, so we remove soft soil and compact a base of crushed stone or select fill. We slope the pad slightly so water runs off.
If your old pad has sunk, concrete leveling may be a quick fix.
Pad cost, timing and next steps
Price depends on size, thickness, steel and access. Small pads often take just a few hours to form and pour. Larger pads take a day. We give you a written price and schedule.
Call us any day from 5 AM to 10 PM or use the contact page. Tell us what equipment will sit on the pad.
Concrete Pads questions answered
How big should a concrete pad be for my air conditioner?
A pad should be a little larger than the unit, usually by three or four inches on each side, and often more to leave room for service. Many central air units sit on pads between 30 by 30 inches and 36 by 36 inches. Larger units and heat pumps need bigger pads.
Check the maker's guide for any rules about clearance. We also leave room for the refrigerant lines, the power and the drain. The pad should sit a few inches above the ground, so water and mud do not splash the unit. Tell us the make and model, and we will plan the right size and thickness for your pad.
Tell us the make and weight of your equipment, and we will plan concrete pads in Waco TX that fit it well. Tell us the make and model of the equipment and the date it will arrive, and we will plan the slab and the cure around that day.
Can a concrete pad hold a hot tub?
Yes, if it is built for the load. A hot tub full of water and people can weigh several thousand pounds. The pad needs to be flat, strong and level, with steel inside. Most are at least four inches thick, and many are five or six inches. The base under the pad must be firm and well drained.
We ask for the size and weight of the tub, plus any rules from the maker. We also plan for the power line and a drain. See concrete slabs for larger jobs. A good pad helps the tub stay level for many years, which protects the shell and the plumbing.
Extra space around equipment helps with service, so we plan concrete pads with room for a technician to work. Keep an eye on clearance rules from the maker, since some units need open space on every side for air and for service.
Do I need a permit for a small concrete pad?
Often not for a simple pad, but it depends on the use and the place. A pad for a generator, a propane tank or a large shed may need a permit or must meet distance rules from property lines and buildings. Some neighborhoods have HOA rules about where equipment can sit.
We help you check before we pour. Tell us the address and the equipment, and we explain what usually applies. We also call Texas811 before digging, so buried lines are marked. If your equipment comes with a plan or setback rules, send them. We build the pad to match, so you pass inspection and avoid costly changes.
Small jobs deserve careful work. Our concrete pads get the same base, steel and curing as a large slab. A small pad is quick, but we still compact the base and place steel, because even a light pad can crack if it sits on soft soil.
How thick should a concrete pad be?
For light equipment, like an air conditioner, four inches is common. For heavier loads, like a hot tub, a large generator or a water tank, five or six inches with steel is wiser. A pad for a shed depends on what you store inside. Edges can be thickened for extra strength.
Thickness works together with the base. A thick pad on soft clay can still sink. We remove soft soil, compact a base and slope the pad so water runs away. We tell you the thickness, the steel and the base in your written estimate, so you can compare bids and be sure your equipment has the support it needs.
Level and firm are the two keys to concrete pads on clay, and we check both before the first pour. If you may add a second unit later, mention it now, and we can pour a larger pad with room to grow.
Can you pour a pad next to my house without causing problems?
Yes, with care. A pad next to the house should slope away from the wall, so water does not run toward the foundation. We leave a small gap or an expansion joint between the pad and the house. We keep the top of the pad below siding and brick.
On Waco clay, water near a foundation is a real concern, so we check gutters and downspouts too. If the equipment drains water, like an air conditioner, we plan where that water goes. If you already see cracks in a wall, see foundation repair. We look at your lot and suggest a position and a slope that protect your home.
Good slope keeps water off your wall, and concrete pads next to a house are always shaped to move it away. We also leave a small gap or a joint where the pad meets a wall or a walk, so each part can move without cracking.
How soon can I put equipment on a new pad?
Light equipment can often go on after about three to seven days. Heavier loads, like a hot tub full of water or a large generator, should wait until the concrete has cured for about 28 days, or as long as the maker says. Concrete keeps getting stronger as it cures.
We tell you when your pad is ready for each kind of load. In Texas heat, we keep the pad damp at the start, so it cures well. If you have a delivery date for your equipment, tell us early. We can plan the pour for a time that gives the concrete enough cure time before the equipment arrives.
A short delay can help your equipment last. Concrete pads work best when we give them a proper cure before loading. Please keep sprinklers off the new pad for a few days, and tell your installer to wait until we say the concrete is ready.
Ready for a free estimate? Call (254) 233-1766 any day from 5 AM to 10 PM, or use the estimate form. Waco Concrete is locally owned and gives clear written estimates for slabs, patios and driveways.