Well put, Ian.

Some of the ideas put forth on this site scare me. I don't think some people have much, if any, common sense and they spew their "knowledge" here as though they are the guru expert of ICF. If they would use just a little bit of common sense and really think through what they are saying they would realize that some of their "knowledge" is nonsense.

Just a little bit of common sense will go a long way towards getting the job done right.

Regarding consolidation, it's just plain wrong not to use an internal vibrator (of the proper size) to consolidate your walls. Ian's right. The better forms can handle it without problems. That's my opinion, and it ought to be yours. :)

Sorry for my brief rant. My common sense is telling me to shut up now, before I make too many people mad!

Ian,

Great post I apparently can't put it better myself.

ICF Contractor

Thanks for the help.  I was beginning to think I was swimming up stream. 

It's easy to beloeve that you can't or "don't need to internally vibrate ICF's.  I have seen way to much evidence to the contrary.  Even when you use a "soupy mix" and pea gravel.  With a soupy mix and pea stone you get great amounts of segregation.  I have seen it with my own eyes.  Strip the bottom of the next ICF basement walls you do and look at the very bottom of the cncrete.  That's a place that you typically may have segregation especially in the corners if you do not vibrate internally.  That's a good place to start your learning curve.