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There’s no difference between a “slab foundation” and a “slab-on-grade foundation,” and contractors and homeowners use the terms synonymously. “Slab foundation” is just a shortened version of “slab-on-grade.” In both cases, the homebuilder will pour the concrete foundation into a mold they build directly on the ground. As such, these foundations require no expensive excavation.

Yes, you can grind concrete by hand, but it’s typically known as sanding concrete when done with a hand grinder. Additionally, you should only use this method if you’re working on a smaller area, like a countertop, rounding an edge, removing imperfections, or doing a spot repair versus a driveway or patio.

No, cement cannot be used on its own except for rare circumstances, as it's only a binder to form other products, such as concrete or mortar. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to create a concrete or mortar mix. Concrete, for instance, needs cement, water, and aggregates such as sand and gravel. Using the right amount of water and water temperature is essential to ensure you have the right concrete slump and the mix spreads easily and cures well.

A floating concrete slab is considered a footing since it distributes the weight of the structure to the soil, but not all concrete slabs are considered footings. For example, a T-shaped slab includes separate footings below the slab that support the concrete above and push the load further down into the ground. In that case, the slab would not be considered a footing.