Water: Is It The Basement Contractor’s Worst Enemy?
Sit down at any contractor’s round table and start a discussion about the predominant headache or source of callbacks for basements and you are likely to get common agreement that it is water or moisture. The presence of moisture is a sure sign to the homeowner that a) something dire is wrong with the foundation […]
Code Compliance with Insulated Concrete Form Foundations
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are increasingly being used as foundations in commercial and residential projects. Part of the reason is that ICFs naturally help comply with increasingly strict energy codes. While many are familiar with ICFs for above-grade walls, their benefits transfer to foundations as well. Energy code compliance, quicker more efficient construction, and safer […]
Cold Weather Slab Testing
EARLIER THIS YEAR, A CONTRACTOR AND A TEAM OF MANUFACTURERS AND INDIVIDUALS, PERFORMED A SERIES OF COLD WEATHER TESTS ON 15 DIFFERENT PANELS TO REPLICATE 15 DIFFERENT FIELD CONDITIONS. HERE ARE THEIR PRELIMINARY FINDINGS. As seen in Earlier this year, a contractor and a team of manufacturers and individuals, performed a series of cold weather tests […]
Los Angeles Blaze Calls Building Codes into Question
Concrete Industry Opposes Further Relaxing of Codes SKOKIE, Ill.— The fire that ruined buildings and snarled traffic in downtown Los Angeles this week may not have happened ten years ago. However, loosening of the building codes and the increasing importance on low-cost construction is putting Los Angeles and other areas at risk. “Taller and larger […]
Code Corner: Impact of Codes
WHAT IMPACT ARE THE CURRENT CODES, REGULATIONS , AND STANDARDS HAVING ON YOUR COMPANY? The latest information on regulations, codes and standards that we have been tracking and working with has been prepared for your reference. What impact are these having on your company? What will be the largest hurdles in your implementation and preparation […]
Casting Foundation Concrete in Cold Weather
Expanded from Q&A Article seen in Concrete Contractor magazine. by James R. Baty II, CFA Managing Director The Concrete Foundations Association explains how commonly and effectively residential concrete foundations are constructed during the winter. Question: Our foundations scheduled for installation these next few months will be affected by projected temperatures in the mid […]
Oil on Rebar
by JAMES R. BATY II As published by Concrete Contractor Magazine. Created: August 21, 2013 The Concrete Foundations Association explains the code reference and common misconceptions regarding oil on rebar for residential concrete. Question: On several of our most recent residential projects, the inspector in our area has been complicating our pour schedule when finding form oil over-sprayed […]
Codes & Standards Corner
This issue we offer you an update on the codes and standards that continue to evolve in and around the residential and foundation industries. Codes and Standards comprise a significant portion of the energy this Association puts forth and a considerable amount of the sta$ time that is allocated on behalf of the membership. There are three primary areas […]
