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Step 1- Design your home:
It will make the entire building process much easier if the plans are designed with ICF blocks in mind. This
doesn't mean you have to make your walls a certain length or height. Or that you should restrict the number of
corners you have. It simply means your walls will now be much thicker and may shrink some of your interior
rooms and that may cause a problem in rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens and anywhere you may have
special furniture in mind. We like to say "Never change your layout to fit a block...Make the block fit your
layout."

Step 2- Engineering:
After you home has been designed and you have chosen a place to put it you will take the plans and the soils
tests to an engineer so that they may design the reinforcing steel and the footers. A good engineer's print will
give you a easy to follow guide to build your home so that you put all the steel in the right place and can sleep
soundly knowing that your home will stand the test of time.

Step 3- Dig and Layout:
After you have your engineering and your permits you will dig a hole and then layout your footers. It is
important to check and recheck this step because the entire home will be based off of these footers. Make
sure not only that they are square and properly measured but more importantly that they are level to within
1/8".

Step 4- Build your walls:
After the footers are cured (usually the next day) then chalk your walls and start to lay your block. It is best to
start from the corners and work in. It will also help if you start you firs two courses together because is helps
to keep the blocks together. After your third course is up then level all your walls and set your bracing. With
the bracing on six foot centers you can then plumb your walls and continue on up. Once you have completed
all the courses you need and have all your accesses in then you are ready to pour. Before you pour you
should have everything on your "Pour Check List" finished.

Step 5- Pour:
you are now ready to pour it is best to have at least 4 to 5 people on site for the pour. One will run the pump,
two for the vibrator, and one or two to watch the walls and manage any leaks. As you pump you should start
with the bottom of the windows and then pour four foot lifts until the walls are full. Your pour will go much
smoother if you use a double 90* and a 6' sock. After you are done with the pour it is important to plumb and
straighten all you walls, and then check them all again.

Concrete Mix-
While there is much controversy over what is the best mix Advanced Construction Concepts feels that a
standard 3/4" 3,000psi mix at a 5" slump is the "can't be beat" of mixes. Yes, you have to vibrate and yes if
your not careful about how you set your rebar you might get voids. But all said and done you have the least
problems and get the best walls out of this mix.

Vibrating-
The trick to vibrating is quick in slow out. Don't over vibrate any one area as it will cause the larger aggregate
to spread away from the stinger causing weak points in the wall. In an ICF wall you only want a 3/4" stinger
and insert it about every two feet. The biggest thing to remember is your just eliminating air not mixing so
don't over vibrate.

Reinforcing cut joints:
If a joint is cut more than four inches away from a tie (two bars) it needs to be reinforced. The best two ways
to do this is either with a piece of plywood and some screws as shown or with three pieces of fibre tape. The
tape method is a little quicker and you don't have to come back to remove it but it important to do it right or it
won't work. You use three pieces taped around the cut end of the block. (see Picture below)




		Tips and Tricks Pour Check List Steps to the System

	How you build your next structure can be the best decision you ever made that will pay you back for as long as you own it. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF's) have many benefits that not only save you money but also offer unmatched durability and peacefulness than any other product. Energy Efficiency- ICF's offer up to 70% reduced heating cost. With walls that perform at an R-50 your structure will not only be more efficient but it presents a more consistent temperature as well. Due to the reduced drafts and leaks the whole structures retains a more consistent comfortable temperature. Fire Resistance- Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF's) are more than 4 times more fire resistant. The polystyrene foam they are made with will not support fire and the concrete walls offer a 4 hour fire rating. This is a vast improvement of the 20 minute rating of 2x4 walls. This means your family will have more time to get out of the house in a fire and your home will have a standing chance against wild fires. Durability- ICF's create a incubating chamber for the concrete so that it cures stronger than conventional foundations. Homes built with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF's) are 9 times stronger than wood homes. Many owners have been proud to see their homes withstand tornado's, hurricanes, and even avalanches. Sound resistant- With double sided foam, concrete walls will deaden almost any noise. You will now enjoy country peacefulness in any city home.