DarkNova
New Member
Posts:34
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29 May 2015 04:13 PM |
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When pouring two stories of ICF walls, when the basement and main floor are both ICF, is it more common/recommended to pour the basement walls first and then let them set before pouring the main floor walls, or pouring the entire wall at once?
I've been told that doing the pours separately is easier because less scaffolding is needed, and the basement wall is thicker so it would be complicated to do them together...but is there a downside to doing them separately (other than having the pumping come in twice)? Thanks. |
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FBBP
Veteran Member
Posts:1215
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29 May 2015 04:35 PM |
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Unless you have a decade or so of concrete experience, you should not consider doing two levels at once. Not that it is not doable, its just a high risk situation. Consider how and to what you are going to brace your upper walls. |
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billnaegeli
Basic Member
Posts:166
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29 May 2015 05:26 PM |
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we never pour 2 levels for exactly the reason FBBP stated, we do tall walls 14'+ but we have 15 years experience with it, but why would you pour it that way any how? i realize its balloon framing but we still pour them according to platform framing, pour past the first elevation floor system enough to get the floor hung then pull all the bracing up to that level and run the next set of walls, much safer and actually it will be faster as well, where are you building by the way? |
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GNP Inc ICF Construction & Concrete Services 1-800-713-7663 |
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BrucePolycrete
Advanced Member
Posts:524
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29 May 2015 05:38 PM |
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These guys are giving you good advice. Your best bet would be to have someone on site when pumping that has experience pumping the brand of ICFs that you use. Some ICFs can get quirky when you're pumping. Remember, you essentially dumping concrete into a foam coffee cup. Some ICFs have much better quality EPS than others. A real cheap product may have beads that are not well formed or bonded. Type II EPS spec allows densities ranging from 1.35 lbs/cubic foot to 1.5 lbs. You'd be amazed at the impact that difference can have. Cheaper. lighter forms call for a more seasoned installer as he will know what to do when the wall starts compressing or weaving around. Good luck! |
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ronmar
Basic Member
Posts:479
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29 May 2015 10:10 PM |
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I would be surprised if your engineer didn't state in the plan details, that before the main floor wall can be poured: 1. The basement slab must be poured, or the foot of the basement wall otherwise be restrained from inward movement. 2. The floor system and all blocking be installed to restrain the top of the wall. 3. The below grade basement wall be backfilled (only after 1 and 2 are complete) 4. The basement wall allowed an appropriate ammount of time to reach adequate strength before being loaded with the weight of the main floor wall... |
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ronmar
Basic Member
Posts:479
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29 May 2015 10:10 PM |
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Sorry, Double tap:) |
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DarkNova
New Member
Posts:34
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02 Jun 2015 11:21 AM |
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Thanks for the insight, that makes a lot of sense. |
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emmetbrick
New Member
Posts:90
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15 Jun 2015 07:38 AM |
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One floor at a time. The only way to go. |
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