We built the  ICF part of a home here in MN. two years ago we where not the GC on this project.

Here is the issue and my thoughts on what happened if any one has another slant on the problem I would appreciate the input.

We built this two story home with ICF on both levels, the GC came in December and installed the hardi plank, which is now buckeling all over on the south and west walls so much so that it is actually cracking where they installed every screw. We had the rep from Hardi plank come out and he does not have an answer for this problem the GC tried to claim the ICF wall was failing and settling, I had them go inside the house and try to explain why the sheet rock was not cracking if the walls where infact settling.

It is our opinion that they installed the unfinished siding when it was cold and had the maximum contraction of the product, and once it warmed up the product expanded, causing the present problem. This is also apparent in the weather seal around the garage door openings which is also buckling.

The siding was painted the following summer in July so the first year it was not as apparent being the light gray color the second year with the dark red paint now covering the plank it is very obvious.



Cattail Bill
ICF System of America
Rhino Block.

Sounds like the sun to me. your on the right path now fixing it . well cut it smaller at joints (4" grinder with a diamond blade) I hope this helps.

Was the ICF form used an exposed tie or buried?

Dave

Without looking it up Hardi calls for finish coating in a short window, surely not all winter unfinished and then painted(stained) in the middle of summer.

Call Hardi direct and discuss this with the home office; it sounds like the rep may not have all the answers you need! I would assume they could remove a few pieces of siding and then see the screws are bending to follow the expansion!!

Thanks Dave, Jim, and Woulf I will pass this on to the home owner so he can deal with his GC on it.

The ties are not exposed, and I agree that it should have been painted shortly after install, my guess is the GC did not know what he was doing and probably recieved some bad training or maybe just thought he knew it all. Either way he should have waited and installed it the following summer.