MUDSILL DETAIL - at ICF'S

[@willtrapp6188]

Hey Steve, what do you think about running the waterproofing membrane all the way up and over the ICF wall. Specifically using Polyguards 650 TRM 68-mil thick waterproofing + termite barrier. This membrane would serve as waterproofing the vertical wall, but also serve has the termite barrier and sill sealer/capillary break at the top of the wall. We are building an ICF house now and thinking through these details.

[@coasttal123]

Steve, you might consider changing the detail a bit to put a 2x10 PT first and let it overhang enough such that R9 panel sits on it. On 2x6 walls where I use the R6 panel I extend the 2x8 bottom sill out to support the R6. I like closing off the foam on the bottom. I then use a 9" Fentrim tape to wrap the foam, the extended 2x, and then down on the foundation wall. I also set the R6 panel in a bead and place a bead of Tremco acoustical on the face of the 2nd sill plate. I put a sill gasket with 2 beads, as you do between the 2 sill plates and also the foundation. We have to make it simple enough to be installed correctly and easily.

[@raystraining3206]

Would love a truss to icf roof connection video for high wind code, 140-160mph

[@atspeed5077]

I see that the metal flashing is taped to the insulation. Did you also put a sealer between the metal flashing and concrete? What prevents air from coming in between the metal and concrete?

[@leo-zd6io]

Did you apply that sealant under the copper flashing as well?

[@michaelroby8389]

Love the mud seal....did i miss the video on why you're using a copper flashing?

[@kc9scott]

What I've heard is that termites can burrow through the foam of an ICF, and unless you do "something" to guard against it, they can get up into the wood framing without being noticed. The "something" would be some sort of metal flashing, to force them to come out where you can see their mud tunnels for at least a short distance below the siding. I like the idea of that copper flashing, and its packaging does mention termite protection, but I still don't know how it'd really do the job. My guess is that the outer edge of that copper will probably get covered up by the stone veneer, which might let the termites come up in stealth mode, behind the veneer (and that thin copper would be a weak attachment point for the top row of veneer). Perhaps they'll bend the copper when installing the veneer so that the copper is in front? That might work if it leaves enough vertical copper in front of the veneer, but it also might look funny that way.

[@billvojtech5686]

What about the copper termite flashing? How does it stop termites? Does it have to be copper? Can aluminum work? Vinyl? Don't termites attack the EPS in the ICF? I've heard that some pest control companies won't treat ICF homes, at least in some regions, because the termites get into the ICF below the soil and you can't see the tubes they usually build on the face of a concrete foundation.

[@ArnieD17]

Yes, it needs to be copper. The foam provides no nutritional value to the termites. Insurance companies who track everything don't consider ICF a problem. When a builder follows proper practices ICF is very rarely a problem. No access to wood no problem.

[@markstipulkoski1389]

It doesn't need to be copper and it doesn't need to be metal. Polyguard TERM is a peel and stick waterproofing membrane made for ICF below grade. I don't know what is special about it in regards to termites in comparison to other peel and stick waterproofing membranes. May just be marketing. I am hoping to build with ICF to the roof so no sill plate to worry about. For termite barrier I plan on using the TERM product or equivalent. No foam will be exposed to soil. I'm thinking that slightly above grade, I will cut a trench in the ICF all around the perimeter of the house with a chainsaw. The top of the TERM membranes will terminate in this trench, all the way back to the concrete core. Then the trench will be filled with Polyguard sealamt. This area will be covered with parging, maybe a foot above and below grade. This will force the termites to build their mud tubes on the parging, which can be inspected by pest control.

[@coasttal123]

Here in the southeast it is hard to get anyone to do a termite letter on an ICF house.

[@billvojtech5686]

@@ArnieD17 I know the ICF has no nutritional value for the termites, but I have heard they will tunnel into it to reach wood.

[@whymindsetmatters]

Thank you for this episode!