| Tips and Tricks for
installing the Amvic ICF Building System |
First Course of Block
 After setting chalk lines on the footing or slab, make minor adjustments to the building dimensions (if allowable) to accommodate the interlocking features of the forms. This also helps to greatly reduce waste. The greatest adjustment required will be a deviation of less than one inch. To determine if adjustments are necessary, set one course of forms around the entire perimeter including across door and window openings.
If the project is being installed on a slab, be sure that all interior walls with plumbing will line up with the ICF walls if required. Insure that toilet flanges exceed minimum distance requirements from the wall.
Use foam adhesive to adhere the working side of the wall to the footing or slab to keep it in place during wall construction.
Shimming and Trimming
Check elevation grades of the forms once two courses have been set. Be sure to push down on the forms to determine if the wall will require shims underneath. If the walls appear to be within a ¼" over the entire length, then the grade is probably acceptable. If the wall requires shimming, then set shims while the wall is only two courses high. Be sure to check the elevations of both sides of the forms.
Once two courses have been stacked around the perimeter of the building, use different color magic markers to layout all particulars of the construction. IE.: Window and door locations and dimensions, rebar cut and bend dimensions, beam pocket locations above, bracing requirements, in multi-story construction, layout ledger board configurations, interior wall locations.
Subsequent Courses of Block
Use scrap pieces of foam as form-outs for items such as beam pockets.
Slip schedule 40 ¾" PVC pipe in the square hole of the 90° corner forms, this can be used as an attachment point as well as assist in holding the corner during concrete placement.
Use packaging tape wrapped in a barber pole fashion around small columns that are between window bucks. This helps keep the window bucks plumb and square to each other during concrete placement.
Using a magic marker, label lengths of cut pieces of form and place them near locations that will require these pieces, this eliminates waste and unnecessary wasted time searching for a pre-cut piece of form.
Cutting Forms
When cutting the forms, insure that all cuts are straight along the lines and are not bevel cut in any way.
Use an electric chainsaw without oil in the chain as a "hot knife" for cutting grooves in the poured wall for electrical and plumbing. Be sure to wear protective glasses.
Rebar
Cut , bend and fit rebar for all courses that are identical at one time. This eliminates wasted time and keeps the reinforcing pile in order.
Precut vertical steel when the cut-off pieces may be used as horizontals.
Complimentary Products
If you are planning multiple story construction, look into the new
Simpson Strong-Tie ICF ledger connector system,
available from Korit Sales. This product should eliminate many of the headaches associated with attaching ledgers to ICF walls.
24" plastic cable/zip ties are great for connecting the block together, allowing the form interlock connectors to perform even better. After laying out the first course - and prior to glueing to the footing, connect each block together with a 24" plastic zip tie. This prevents movement from the wind etc. As well, tie all of the top course together, and "T" blocks, and the blocks surrounding any rough openings. Plastic Zip ties are
fast, easy, and extremely cheap insurance to maximize all the advantages offered by the Amvic Building System.
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Questions about
the Amvic ICF Building System? Please feel free to call us at
(800) 837-5674, or click
here. |
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