Determine existing slab

[MackMan]

Hello all,

I'm in the process of buying a commercial garage that already has a 2-post lift.

I know there's a lot of discussion around here about proper slab for a lift, and my question is, is there any way to find what it already is? i.e. would the city/county have a record of what was on the original building permit plans, etc? Or would I need to track down the original architect?

Someone suggested drilling the concrete to determine thickness but that still doesn't answer if there is wire mesh and/or rebar etc (unless I hit a rebar while drilling).

I am thinking because this was built as a commercial garage the slab should be substantial and OK. The current owner has a lot of stuff in the garage so I haven't been able to inspect the floor for any evidence of cracking. Of what I can see there are no cracks, but I can't see much.

It is an all concrete block building so it seems pretty "overbuilt" from that standpoint, but just wondering if there's a good way to track down the original plans or other way to determine it.

Thanks!

 

[7th Kahuna]

The city or county may have a record, you would need to check. You also didn't say how old the building was, which could be relevant. At the end of the day however, coring or xraying, or some other form of investigation may be necessary. Hopefully it is a newer building and the local agency has plans or can refer you to the architect / engineer.

 

[MackMan]

per the tax records it was built in 1988

 

[readhead]

Contact a NDT (non-destructive testing) company and see if they have concrete x-ray equipment and have them check it out. It will show depth and reinforcement up to about 12"- 16" thick depending on the equipment.
You might find them under welding inspection or structural inspection.

 

[MackMan]

Contact a NDT (non-destructive testing) company and see if they have concrete x-ray equipment and have them check it out. It will show depth and reinforcement up to about 12"- 16" thick depending on the equipment.
You might find them under welding inspection or structural inspection.

Hadn't thought of that... found a place to ask, will see $$ for the inspection.

Thanks!

 

[Always_Thinkin]

Cheapest is to drill a hole for thickness and get a metal detecor to determine mesh or reinforcement. My 0.02

 

[vhol5]

I used a metal detector to trace rebar. Had to core 30 holes in a slab and boss didn't want the rebar cut. Out of the 30 holes, we only hit 1 rebar. That was using a cheap HF metal detector.