Two story ICF house
Last Post 22 Nov 2007 06:37 PM by greenbuilder. 10 Replies.
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robinncUser is Offline
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03 Nov 2007 07:51 PM
I'm watching an ICF built from the ground up. It's a ranch with a walkout basement. First time! I've noticed they built the basement(ICF) and now are installing the floor joists for the second floor. Then they plan on building the second floor with ICF. Is this the normal procedure? I had thought the walls would all go up at the same time? The house is at least 6000 sf if this makes any difference.
Chris JohnsonUser is Offline
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03 Nov 2007 09:57 PM
That is a pretty standard procedure, you can build and pour full height if you want, but why subject yourself to all the climbing up and down that amount of scaffolding. Any chance you have to build up, install the floor, then build again you do. Much safer.

Chris Johnson - Pro ICF<br>North of 49
irnivekUser is Offline
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03 Nov 2007 10:01 PM
We've done it both ways, and prefer Chris' method.
dmaceldUser is Offline
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03 Nov 2007 10:13 PM

I plan to do it that way over a crawl space because the lot has a 4' slope from one corner of the house to the other. The crawl space wall varies from 2' to 5'. Once the floor is in, all work will be on one level. Will be easier that way, I figure.

Even a retired engineer can build a house successfully w/ GBT help!
robinncUser is Offline
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04 Nov 2007 12:14 AM
That makes alot of sense about the safety!!
icfblocksUser is Offline
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04 Nov 2007 09:11 AM
It is a lot easier and safer to work on a single floor at a time.  Sometimes it becomes a question of pump cost.  Here the pump usually costs at least $350. to 400. to show up, prime ect. 
Just another thought.
Thanks,<br>Tom<br>www.advbuildingtech.com
jrleeICFPROUser is Offline
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13 Nov 2007 11:07 AM
I understand the thought of pump cost but when someone tries to save around $400 to pump all the walls of a $300,000 project, I lose my mind on the logic there. I don't mean to sound mean, all I'm saying is it seems foolish to look beyond safety, quality control, and good customer service to make/ save a few hundred bucks. Pouring twenty plus feet of wall at once is no fun and I feel is only warranted on commercial/ industrial type projects.

Once again, I come in peace.
Thanks.
Jesse
walltechUser is Offline
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13 Nov 2007 09:31 PM
Building both stories and pouring is quite comon in some states. ICF's are trendy as to there regions and in some ares they do stack the lower level, install the 1st floor deck and continue stacking the upper with one continous pour. Your mentioned idea of pouring two stories wouldn't be practical without the floor system in place, and also is only practical in highly competitive areas. Most if not 99% are done in two pours.

Dave
icfblocksUser is Offline
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14 Nov 2007 06:10 PM
Given a choice I always do one floor at a time.  It' always eaier to work a single floor at a time.
Thanks,<br>Tom<br>www.advbuildingtech.com
ChillmeisterUser is Offline
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16 Nov 2007 06:51 PM
Hi robin its me again from florida, after building over 30 two story homes, most of your braces are only 8 to 10  foot. With extentions  12 ft would probably  be your max  unless you have scafolding and your walls have a adjustment attached to the scafolding. Then to be safe only do 4 to 5 ft lifts with the concrete. Most of the weight and preasure is going to be in the corners and ends around long walls and the bucks for wall or garages etc. Make sure you or some one who has done a lot of ICF manages the pour. Take a flash light shine it down in the walls ahead of the pump watch the concrete flow if its not flowing it's to dry and you aggrigate will get caught up on the rebar and create voids. What a pain that is. Install the the floor joist and repeat the first floor on the second. Shouldn't take as long do the second floor. Depending ont the crew maybe 2-3 days quicker.To be safe Make them check the walls for plumb half way up during the pour and after the pumping then, again as they are installing the the truss ties, and check any floor (simpson)joist imbeds on the first floor. Sorry I go on like that . good luck. clarence
greenbuilderUser is Offline
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22 Nov 2007 06:37 PM
Hey robin, I build a lot in East TN and NC and we often times in the mountains pour log cabin crawl spaces that are 30 feet above the footer just to get to the basement floor level and then we stack another 10 - 15 courses on the front for the retaining/parking and front basement wall. Theoretically you are not suppose to drop concrete more than 12 feet due to aggregate separation, resulting in a weeker concrete. Howeve,r in some instances there are few other options. Therefore we will cut portals in the walls and pour 6-8 foot lifts concrete with a small aggregate (1/2" or less when available), a smooth natural river sand instead of sharp manufactured sand and a water reducing plasticizer. This allows a flowable 5-1/2 to 6 slump mix that will set shortly after placement. This allow you to make a complete pass around the structure and then plug and foam your portals and pour the next 6-8 feet. And then finally topping out with minimal concern, that is providing you are using a hearty block such as Build Block ICF's. If you can install the first floor system with out having to wait three to four weeks for the framer to come in and set the floor. If this is the case you might want to consider pouring the tall walls depending upon what your money is costing you for delays and most importantly if you have an experienced ICF person to supervise the pouring. One thing to always keep in mind is the taller your pour the higher the probability of out of plumb walls. Good luck.
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