Water, the Universal Solvent. Water is called the universal solvent because it is capable of dissolving more substances than any other liquid. This is important to every living thing on earth. It means that wherever water goes, either through the air, the ground, or through our bodies, it takes along valuable chemicals, minerals, and nutrients. It is water's chemical composition and physical attributes that make it such an excellent solvent.
Cost breakdown. 1  Materials: Poured slab concrete typically costs $3-$5 per square foot. Footings 1 can add an additional $1-$2 per square foot. 2  Labor: labor costs from contractors or concrete specialists typically adds another $2-$3 per square foot, for a total of $2000-$3000 for this project.
Another issue that must be addressed is the added weight of the thin-slab. Poured gypsum thin-slabs typically add 13 to 15 pounds per square foot to the dead loading of a floor structure. Standard weight concrete thin slabs add about 18 pounds per square foot (at 1.5 thickness).