Concrete Finish Before Steel Goes Up?

[dirtrunner0519]

So I will be pouring the slab foundation and drive before my building arrives. I want to have a clean driveway and garage slab. Should I seal it / coat the concrete before I have heavy equipment on it. I really hate tire marks. Any suggestions on a path forward.


Heavy Equipment- 20k Gradall Forklift, and Misc Pick Up Trucks

 

[readhead]

Are you putting it up yourself? I would wait and do the driveway after construction of the building.

 

[dirtrunner0519]

Yes I will be putting up the building myself.

 

[Bluedodge]

Rent some ground protection mats from Sunbelt. Big ol plastic panels about two inches thick. It comes in 7x14 sheets and cam-locks together at the corners. Better than sheets of plywood and won't turn under truck and hi Lo tires.

https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/equipment/subcat/1545/ground-protection-mats/

 

[LXCam]

Absolutely. Get yourself a good sealer densifier and have at it. It'll make a world of difference when it comes time to clean up after construction. Now if you were planning on some type of epoxy, no way unless you can afford to properly protect it. And no matter what require any equipment that's going to be on the slab to be diapered regardless of if you use a heavy duty protection like plywood or Masonite or even the rental mats.

 

[dirtrunner0519]

I will definitely seal it. Those mats seem extremely expensive for me to rent. So I will have to skip that step, not in my budget right now. Thank you for the recommendations.

 

[readhead]

As a general policy we don't drive forklifts on a new slab. We erect from the outside. If there is a need to be on the slab we get written permission from the owner and have them sign a damage waiver. The policy was the result of paying for damage to a substandard slab that we did not have installed. I understand if there is no other option.

 

[Armorpoxy]

If you are going the sealer route/clear then seal it first. If coating with colored epoxy then do it last.