Shim Forms To Final Elevation

Shim forms to final elevation, wire them to the vertical anchoring rebar, then squirt polyurethane foam in any gaps between bedrock and ICF. This foam not only keeps concrete in, but also acts as a powerful adhesive, working with the rebar to keep the forms down during the pour. Assemble the rest of the forms on top of this leveled layer “footing” layer, install braces, then call for concrete.

Solid bedrock makes a terrific foundation, and ICFs let you tap into that potential most easily. They’re also fast, easy to work with and eliminate the need to strip and deal with dirty plywood forms afterwards. It’s a good deal all around and one more example of how today’s homes and cottages have the potential to be the best that have ever gone up.

You can do everything possible to waterproof the walls of a bedrock foundation and still have water seep in under the wall where it meets the rock. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s quite common, even when drainage tile is installed around the outside of the foundation wall. If you intend to create a dry bedrock basement, it makes good sense to install a drained floor slab. Here’s how it works.