Why Build ICF

Chris Johnson

72;

All the major ICF blocks, including the TF system have a plastic web ranging from 1" - 1 1/2" buried just below the surface of the foam, the plastic web is essentially a plastic stud allowing you to attach anything to it such as drywall, siding, etc. Using drywall as an example, most guys use 1 1/4" screws in wood frame, ICF requires 1 5/8" since the 'stud' is approx. 1/2" below the surface of the foam. When I was in the East brick ties could be fastened to the 'stud' as well, moved to CA and brick ties must be cast in to the pour. So each area has it's quirks as to how certain items must be dealt with in regards to ICF.

Wet Set is done one of two ways

1) As the footing is being poured and levelled, the first course or two is immediately set in wet mud and levelled thus embeding the form and stabilizing it and locking it in to the footing, this only works if you have a crew big enough so as you have guys pouring (1), levelling (1), setting the block and checking it's accuracy for straight, plumb and level (2-3) The entire crew needs to be experienced and a good team of workers.

2) Footing forms or trench is ready for footing, two courses of block are installed and suspended over the footing with all rebar/dowels installed, block is straight, plumb and level. Now you pour the footing and about 6" up into the first ICF block (This leaves enough dowel rebar exposed for a proper non contact lap splice). This method requires 2 guys who know what there doing.

Both methods are good to use depending on your labor force, I run small crews so method 2 works for me. Either method is not for the novice or first timer, pour a conventional footing, wait till it starts to set up, snap lines and then start stacking.

Most reputatable ICF companies offer some form of training service, it's not much, but will give you the basics to help you get started, your distributor should be giving field/tech support and do a few site visits (Start, as the build progresses and prior to pour) to check on you and help you out on your first ICF build.

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Chris

joasis

Another advantage to the "wet set", and I don't know how the TF system would work, since they use a channel, is that the first course also provides the form for the floor if pouring a slab, and provides and insulation for the edge of the slab.

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TimNJ

As far as a down side to ICF's, they are susceptible to bug intrusions. I had termites invade and they just wound their way through everywhere in the ICF's. Also, crickets are really bad around here and they get up under the siding at the top course and nest in there. You can see the little white styrofoam flakes on the ground where they are hiding out. I now take care of them by spraying under the siding mid summer and then again early fall.
My blocks had a metal stud imbedded in them. Forget about rocking directly to that. They are never exacly in line and the screws push the rock away before they grab. I attached treated furring then rocked.

te12c02w

tdavis. You say you have a cool way to wire icf buildings. Would you mind sharing? We have had to wire several of these and haven't been satisfied with any of the methods so far. I did see a discussion on methods and one of them mentioned a chainsaw with a homemade depth gauge for carcving out wire chases that we will try the nest time we get involved with one of these. After cutting out all that foam and leaving the beads on the floor it seems like those beads just get put in the landfill with all the other trash. That would have to lower the "green factor", no?

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Jim R

monsterconstruc

So am I. Aren't you?

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Tasha Lucas
Monster Constructors
www.monsterconstructors.com
www.monstergreenbuilding.com

monsterconstruc

Market acceptance isn't there yet, which is why I am promoting this technique heavily. Consumer education (consumer also includes contractors that can use this information to promote this service in their own local area) is important in getting this to be an accepted construction method. I am simply a catalyst for that change. Most opposition I get is from contractors that like doing it the old way and are against this change.

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Tasha Lucas
Monster Constructors
www.monsterconstructors.com
www.monstergreenbuilding.com

monsterconstruc

Thank you. I completely agree. Actually, a non vented crawl space is what we like to utilize, as well. And we are on the opposite side of the spectrum; we have to keep our homes cool her in Texas.

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Tasha Lucas
Monster Constructors
www.monsterconstructors.com
www.monstergreenbuilding.com

monsterconstruc

Actually, in the home I am currently building, I am using ICF walls, pier and beam with nonvented crawl space. I have incorporated ICFconcrete walls into a room in the basement. This will be the media room/safe room for storm shelter and "panic room."

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Tasha Lucas
Monster Constructors
www.monsterconstructors.com
www.monstergreenbuilding.com

tdavis

TE12-

you asked about a different way to wire the icf's... I have done it 2 ways. one is with a little electric chainsaw, run the tip of the saw around the room where you need to run wires. this works great as long as you can avoid all the "studs" and transitioning between ICFs and the framing can be tricky.

The second way I have been wiring these is all in the attic. I wire all the lights separated by zones and then install wireless receivers in each zone. I program one switch to control all the lights during construction. (they also get their after construction switches programmed as well.) the crew can walk in first thing and hit one switch, turns on all the lights, same thing at the end of the day, one switch, all the lights go out. after the project is painted you can go around and install all your wireless switches. no mud in the boxes, no painted temp switches that need to be changed. oh and you have a master switch that can be placed right by the main exit point for the customer, that's a $500 upgrade maam.

sorry it took me a bit to get back to you.

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TD
www.EnoceanWireless.com
Wireless lighting control, without using batteries
Use the Discount Code "Contractor" if you'd like...

bubbagoes

TDavis said
"We have a cool way to wire the ICF's that I have been playing with for the last 2 years with great results"
I am assuming that you are talking about electrical wiring?
I have been using a wired heat gun to cut channels into the block, have you come up witha better way?
Please share.

tdavis

See the post above...

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TD
www.EnoceanWireless.com
Wireless lighting control, without using batteries
Use the Discount Code "Contractor" if you'd like...

Unforgiven

Get an electric BBQ grill igniter, the kind that is made like an electric stove element. Burn the groove for wire into the ICFs. THe chainsaw method is extremely messy, whereas the BBQ starter is clean, and just as fast.

Teetorbilt

You can also look into hotwires. Available in all shapes and sizes. Frequently used by homebuilt aircraft/boat builders. Yep! one of those too! With a little study, you can make your own onthe cheap. Not much to it.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein