Being prepared
The more preparation you can do preceding concrete placement pays huge dividends in job efficiency, accuracy, and profitability. We highly recommend the following items be completed before placing concrete:
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- Horizontal wood strapping is required on both the inside and outside of the wall when
- The offset between joints is less than 8 inches between rows.
- There is more than 8” between webs.
- Vertical joints are directly on top of each other.
- Window or door openings occur less than 4’ (1.220 m) from a corner. (Run strapping across opening to corner).
- Temporary wood straps are required around window and door openings to maintain straightness.
- Cross bracing with 2x4 supports is required inside window and door bucks to hold bucks in place and prevent sagging or bowing from concrete pressure.
- Foam adhesive can be used on wood and plastic bucks to provide additional buck support.
- All outside corners should be reinforced with tape or wood strapping, and zip ties.
- The top course should be secured with adhesive foam, zip ties, and/or horizontal and vertical hooks. Sloped walls should be properly foamed and braced.
- Radius walls should be secured with foam adhesive and flexible strapping material.
- Forms in all lintels should be secured end-to-end with zip ties.
- The middle of large openings should be vertically braced to prevent tipping.
- All forms should be firmly seated to prevent settling.