Sonotube Removal

jackster20

Hi,

I just poured 8" dia footings for a deck yesterday that protrudes 33" above ground and used the Sakrete tubes. (floodzone, 1' above base flood elevation for code)

What is your recomendataions for removing the forms and how long after pouring should they be removed? The tubes were slick on the inside and no release agents were used.

Thanks!

JasontheMason

I use a knife to cut them off if you cant slide them off, I have allso covered them in the paste from the candles that you use to heat food trays at like a buffet and then have them burned off. I usally wait a week or so, you prob could do it after 3 days or so.

mickeyco

Lighter fluid and a match, saturate the tube with lighter fluid, light it with the match, presto no more sonotube, possibly no more deck or house. Actually I leave them on if it's not visible or covered with lattice.

http://www.sonotube.com/faq.html

mdshunk

I generally just peel them, just like unpeeling a paper towel or toilet paper tube. Do it in 4 or 5 layers. No problem. I've seen guys set their circular saw to a shallow cut (almost through the cardboard) and slice a line down the side. Whatever works. It's not brain surgery.

jackster20

Thanks guys. There are instructions on the tube that say it's not designed to be taken off. I figured I could just rip the thing off but I wanted to see if there was a preferred method.

Thanks again.

Jason