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mswilke
Registered Users
Posts:13
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| 06/18/2001 1:42 PM |
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| Can anyone enlighten me about controlling termites for an ICF home? We're considering building an ICF home and have heard that there is potential in their burrowing into the foam to get to wood (and then they are hard to remove). Any suggestions? |
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Dave Watson @ Polysteel
Registered Users
Posts:34
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| 06/18/2001 4:11 PM |
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Scott, While an ICF offers no food value for termites it is possible for them to nest or tunnel through to reach a food source. In some parts of the country due to the heavy infestation of termites the building codes will not allow the use of foam below grade ulesss it has been treated by an approved method. Currently the only approved method is the use of a borate treatment (PerForm Guard from AFM Corporation) incorporated during the manufacturing process. We have installed this process in our Gainesville Florida plant. Some have recommended the use of a fine steel mesh that is incorporated into a waterproofing system. So far this has not been accepted as an approved method under the Southern Building Code and it's effectiveness is dependant on the quality of the installation.
Even though you are eliminating a good portion of the wood by going with an ICF you should still have your site treated as is customary for your area for termites and make sure you do not have any wood materials in your backfill or grading materials around your structure.
Dave Watson
American Polysteel |
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mswilke
Registered Users
Posts:13
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| 06/18/2001 9:48 PM |
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Dave:
Thanks for the info.
Does the borate treatment really work and does it present any hazard to people or water supplies (if water comes from a well)? It seems like every ICF manufacturer would use it if it works...
Other approaches
I've seen where some cut out part of the outside foam, place a plywood cap on, and pour the concrete into the forms. This makes a barrier to upward migration, forcing insects to go outside where they will be seen. A simiiar alternative is to use a galvanized steel band. Neither of these protects the below grade insulation. I've also seen advertisements for Grailcoat waterproofing that claims it is resistent to infestation. I wonder if Grailcoat with the normal waterproofing membrane and a termite treatment work?
I'm in Indiana, but we still have our share of termites. What percentages of homes get infested?
Scott |
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Dave Watson @ Polysteel
Registered Users
Posts:34
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| 06/19/2001 10:32 AM |
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Scott,
The borate treatment is completely safe to humans but toxic to the termites. The borate is added during the manufacturing process and there are strict guidelines and testing that must be met to ensure consistant borate levels. Because we manufacture our own forms we were able to incorporate this technology into our facility. Many other ICF companies use contract molders to produce their product so the introduction of borate treatment and testing is not as simple. As a side note Louisiana-Pacific has added "SmartGuard" borate treatment to many of their building materials. Currently sheathing, siding, exterior trim, framing lumber, plywood and osb are available with this type of termite treatment which is much safer and more effective that traditional CCA-treated wood.
I hear that the Grail Coat is an excellent product but again it has not been accepted as a code approved method and it's effectiveness is dependant on the quality of the installation. The use of barriers and inspection gaps make it easier to find out if trmites have come to visit.
Dave Watson
American Polysteel |
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mswilke
Registered Users
Posts:13
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| 06/21/2001 10:03 AM |
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All:
Anyone out there been in an ICF home for >5 yrs (>10 yrs)? If so, what is the status of your waterproofing membrane and your ICF outside foam layer relative to both insects and deterioration?
-Scott |
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mswilke
Registered Users
Posts:13
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| 06/21/2001 10:19 AM |
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All,
On a related note, how difficult is it to strip off the outside foam that is below grade for most ICF's (I'm thinking Arxx right now simply because there is a nearby installer)? That way at least you still have the inside insulation in the basement, but get rid of the risk for infestation/nesting in the foam that is outside of the house. One can then also use Rub-R-Wall (or something like that) to get a lifetime warranty on waterproofing.
-Scott |
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markross
Registered Users
Posts:1035
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| 06/21/2001 4:27 PM |
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I would like to expand on Mike's concerns as I have not the education in termite protection. I was under the impression that rigid sheet plastic barriers, such as delta MS, tied into an acrylic stucco was sufficient for resisting the termites.
Mark Ross
"Le Canuck" |
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Ian ICF Builders
Registered Users
Posts:612
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| 06/23/2001 10:24 AM |
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| Mark: I would caution about recommending the Delta MS or Platon type systems as deterrents for termites. These systems are not sealed 100%....in fact the very premise of their success is that they are open at the bottom for drainage. If anything (water etc.) can get behind it and get out, then so can termites. Polyguard Products of Ennis, TX. has a membrane that is undergoing final acceptance by the codes as a termite barrier. |
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markross
Registered Users
Posts:1035
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| 06/25/2001 5:19 PM |
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Actually Ian, I was looking for some info, I am not recommending this type of method to prevent termites, here the depth is 4' for frost protection. My question is this, do the termites go further into the ground beyond this, as I believe your responce about the opening at the bottom of the wall, is very relative.
Mark Ross
"Le Canuck" |
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mswilke
Registered Users
Posts:13
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| 07/09/2001 11:40 AM |
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Just to follow up on Ian's post mentioning Polyguard Waterproofing membrane and its potential for being a termite barrier...
Polyguard sent me some samples and a brochure in which they provide independent scientific test results (!) regarding the lack of pentration by termites into their products over a specified period of time. They also mention that they feel approval for use in southern termite-infested areas is forthcoming very shortly.
The only downside that I could see was that their guarantee is only for 5 years (I'm not sure what to make of that).
-Scott |
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