Concrete Pads

Concrete pads are compact, purpose-built slabs designed to support specific equipment, structures, or functional areas around your Long Island property. From air conditioning units and generators to hot tubs, trash enclosures, and outdoor showers, a properly installed concrete pad provides the solid, level foundation that equipment and structures need to operate safely and last for years. At Brothers Paving & Masonry, we install concrete pads of all sizes and specifications throughout Nassau and Suffolk County, and we bring the same attention to detail to a small utility pad as we do to our largest projects.

While a concrete pad may seem like a straightforward project, doing it right requires the same engineering principles and site-specific considerations that go into any concrete installation. The ground beneath the pad must be properly prepared to prevent settling, the concrete must be mixed and placed correctly to achieve the required strength, and the finished surface must be graded to shed water away from equipment and structures. On Long Island, where soil conditions, water tables, and weather patterns create unique challenges, cutting corners on any of these steps can lead to premature failure.

Our process begins with understanding what the pad will support and where it will be located. Different applications have different requirements. An HVAC pad needs to be perfectly level and positioned for proper airflow and service access. A generator pad must be sized to accommodate the unit and meet manufacturer clearance specifications. A hot tub pad requires significantly more structural capacity, often six inches or more of reinforced concrete, to handle the combined weight of the tub, water, and occupants. We work with you to determine the exact size, thickness, and placement that your project demands.

Site preparation is the foundation of every successful concrete pad installation. We excavate to the appropriate depth, removing topsoil, organic material, and any unstable soil. For most utility pads on Long Island, we dig eight to ten inches below the finished grade to accommodate the aggregate base and concrete. The excavated area is then filled with compacted crushed stone aggregate, typically four inches thick, to provide a stable, well-draining base. Proper compaction is critical, and we use mechanical plate compactors to achieve the required density.

We set forms to define the pad's dimensions and elevation. Forms are leveled precisely, with a slight pitch incorporated where necessary to ensure water drains away from the equipment or structure the pad supports. For pads adjacent to your home's foundation, we take extra care to ensure water is directed away from the building. Reinforcement is installed based on the pad's load requirements. Standard utility pads typically use welded wire mesh, while heavy-duty pads for hot tubs, generators, or storage structures may require rebar reinforcement.

Concrete is placed, consolidated, and finished on the same day. We use air-entrained ready-mix concrete rated at a minimum of 4,000 PSI, which provides excellent strength and durability in Long Island's climate. The finish is selected based on the application. Equipment pads typically receive a smooth steel-trowel finish, while pads that will see foot traffic get a broom finish for slip resistance. We install control joints on larger pads to manage shrinkage cracking and apply a curing compound to ensure the concrete develops its full strength.

One of the most common mistakes we see with concrete pads on Long Island is inadequate base preparation. Sandy soils near the coast and organic-rich topsoil in other areas can settle significantly over time if not properly removed and replaced with compacted aggregate. When a pad settles, the equipment it supports can shift, vibrate excessively, or lose its level, leading to operational problems and potential damage. Our preparation process eliminates this risk by ensuring a rock-solid base beneath every pad we pour.

We also coordinate with your HVAC contractor, electrician, or other trade professionals when the pad is part of a larger installation. If conduit, sleeves, or anchor bolts need to be cast into the concrete, we plan for these during the forming stage so everything is in the right place when your equipment is ready to install. This kind of coordination saves time and prevents costly rework.

Brothers Paving installs concrete pads throughout Long Island for homeowners, property managers, and contractors who need a dependable foundation for their equipment and structures. Our work is precise, efficient, and built to last. Contact us today for a free estimate and let us provide the solid base your next project needs.