What rebar sizes do you carry and which size is right for my project?
- #3 (3/8") is used for residential sidewalks, light flatwork, and decorative concrete borders where minimal structural load is expected. #4 (1/2") is the standard for residential driveways, patios, pool decks, and general footings — the most commonly specified size for Las Vegas residential work. #5 (5/8") is used for heavy-duty commercial slabs, retaining walls, structural grade beams, and any application where higher tensile demand is anticipated. All three sizes are in stock in 20-foot sticks at both Las Vegas locations. We carry tons — no minimum order.
What is the difference between expansion paper and foam expansion joint?
- Expansion paper (fiber board filler) is the standard ASTM D1751 material — compressible, economical, and suitable for the vast majority of concrete joints in dry or sheltered locations. Foam expansion joint (closed-cell polyethylene) is impervious to moisture, more flexible, and the correct choice for pool decks, waterproofed areas, areas with consistent irrigation exposure, or any joint that will regularly see water. In Las Vegas, pool deck perimeter joints should always use foam — not fiber board — because fiber board wicks moisture and can degrade over repeated wet-dry cycles.
What is Snap-Cap and how does it compare to sawcutting joints?
- Snap-Cap is a joint forming system that's placed in the wet concrete to form a control joint — the snap-out top is removed after the concrete sets, leaving a clean, debris-free, sealed-ready joint profile. Sawcutting creates the joint after the concrete cures by cutting with a concrete saw — it requires a separate tool, generates slurry and dust, and leaves a joint that must be cleaned before sealing. Snap-Cap saves time and labor especially on smaller residential jobs where mobilizing a saw is impractical. The resulting joint profile has balanced concrete adherence on both sides, which provides better sealant bond than a sawcut surface.
What size expansion joint paper do I need?
- The width of the expansion joint paper should match the depth of your slab. For a 4" thick slab, use 4" wide paper. For a 6" thick slab, use 6" paper. The goal is for the expansion material to run the full depth of the slab so the joint can work across the full section. The 48" wide material is used for full-depth isolation joints between major slab sections. If you're running a joint between a slab and a foundation wall, use the full wall height. We carry 3", 3.5", 4", 5", 5.5", 6", 9", and 48" widths.
Are OSHA rebar caps legally required in Las Vegas?
- Yes — OSHA 29 CFR 1926.701(b) federally requires that all exposed rebar ends be capped or guarded to prevent impalement injuries on all construction sites. This applies to horizontal rebar in form work and vertical rebar extending from footings and walls. Las Vegas OSHA compliance inspections are active in the valley, and citations for uncapped rebar can exceed $15,000 per violation for willful or repeat violations. We carry caps compatible with #3, #4, and #5 rebar at both locations.
What are dobies and why do I need them?
- Dobies (also called concrete chairs or bar chairs) are pre-cast concrete blocks placed under the rebar mat before the pour to hold the rebar at the correct distance above the subgrade. This is called "concrete cover" — the minimum thickness of concrete between the rebar and the slab surface or bottom. Without proper cover, rebar can rust and spall the slab from below. For Las Vegas residential slabs, 2×2" dobies (2" cover) are standard for flatwork. For pool decks and structural slabs, 3×3" dobies (3" cover) are required. Cover requirements may also be specified in your building permit drawings.
Do you carry all of these products in Las Vegas?
- Yes — we stock rebar (#3, #4, #5), dobies (2×2 and 3×3), OSHA caps, tie wire (rolls and wheels), Makita tie gun, concrete stakes (round and square), expansion paper (8 widths), foam expansion (7 SKUs), Snap-Cap, and ADA tiles at our Las Vegas locations. Call (702) 749-6318 to confirm specific sizing availability. We open at 6AM Monday–Friday — pickup before your crew starts.
