LEED for Homes

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

First Leadership in Energy and Evironmental Design (LEED) for Homes in Boulder County is going up. This is actually part of the pilot program. LEED for homes is still being put together.

That's an irrigation ditch above the site. They broke through the wall during excavation and had to patch it. No water in it at the time.

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Insulating Concrete Foundation (ICF) wall had a brick ledge. No provisions for fastening siding. Some ICF's come with plastic strips on the outside as backing for screws.

Thats a SS water storage tank in the basement.

[Greg Veal]

Kenton

I have heard that subterraneam termites are not a major problem where you
are, but here in Ga. and all accross the S/E U.S. they are.
I have seen a few ICF structures before, but not many.
Our concerns with ICF's are the same as EIFS, in that when in contact with the earth, the designed material acts as a raceway for TC activity. I've heard about termiticide formulations supposedly added into the manufacturing of the material, but I have my doubts about its true effectiveness.
The most popular treatment method is a chemical barrier (termidor or premise) on both sides of the material, but sometimes that's not physically possible and the use of a baiting system (any), is like spitting in the wind. That means the owner is or can be vulnerable forever, simply due to design choices by the builder.
What problems, if any, have you or others found.

PS -
By the way, my nephew has lived in CO. (Evergreen & now Durango) since graduation from UGA in 1999, and has had problems with termite infestations in both houses. Evergreen was less than 5yrs, Durango 25+ (downtown) and both were crawl spaces.

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Originally Posted by gveal

Kenton

I have heard that subterraneam termites are not a major problem where you
are, but here in Ga. and all accross the S/E U.S. they are.
I have seen a few ICF structures before, but not many.
Our concerns with ICF's are the same as EIFS, in that when in contact with the earth, the designed material acts as a raceway for TC activity. I've heard about termiticide formulations supposedly added into the manufacturing of the material, but I have my doubts about its true effectiveness.
The most popular treatment method is a chemical barrier (termidor or premise) on both sides of the material, but sometimes that's not physically possible and the use of a baiting system (any), is like spitting in the wind. That means the owner is or can be vulnerable forever, simply due to design choices by the builder.
What problems, if any, have you or others found.

PS -
By the way, my nephew has lived in CO. (Evergreen & now Durango) since graduation from UGA in 1999, and has had problems with termite infestations in both houses. Evergreen was less than 5yrs, Durango 25+ (downtown) and both were crawl spaces.

Will ICF's act as a pathway for termites? Good question, Greg. Yes they're a problem in Colorado, but not nearly as much as in other environments. In CA they were a major concern. Here, they're not paid much attention to by the inspectors I know. WDI is not a mandatory part of inspection in CO and no one I know has any training. Few realtors or clients ask about it. Watch for frass and wood members that seem to be badly effected, that's all I know.

Thanks for bringing it up. I'll see if I can get us a little help on this answer. I just sent this thread to the Insulating Concrete Form Association.

[afrost]

nice photos. i just did an icf. it went up so easily! i've not seen a brickshelf before.

the plastic ties on the icf's that i used went all the way through and tied into a vertical plastic bar that ran vertically every 16" oc. you couldn't see it though, as it was just under the foam surface -- so the icf's in your picture may have a similar plastic nailer, you just can't see it. they weren't the easiest to screw into (for drywall on the interior), but it worked.

the exterior was covered by an adhesive-back heavy membrane waterproofing that ran from bottom of footing up to grade. heat activated adhesive.

interesting that they don't put anchor bolts in the top of the wall for framing. how will they anchor wall to wall? also i can see where the rebar comes out vertically around that large opening and wonder why they didn't continue the pour there?