What Purpose Do Form Ties Serve In A Concrete Wall Form?
What Purpose Do Form Ties Serve In A Concrete Wall Form?
Form ties are a popular formwork accessory used to secure concrete wall forms against the lateral pressure of freshly put polymeric concrete.
They retain equal space between the shapes, resulting in walls of consistent thickness. It is critical to understand the purpose of wall-form ties in order for them to work effectively.
Form ties are intended to withstand lateral pressure, allowing newly poured plastic concrete to adhere uniformly to the pre-existing concrete wall.
When the form ties are properly constructed, they produce an even surface between the wall forms, which aids in the creation of a consistent wall thickness.
Inadequately placed form ties can cause the concrete to bulge or distort, perhaps leading to structural issues in the future.
Are Cracks In Concrete Walls Normal?
Yes, cracks in concrete slabs and walls are normal and can be caused by a number of factors. Concrete cracks can be due to water infiltration, air infiltration, freeze-thaw damage, or soil settlement. In most cases, a concrete crack will not cause any structural damage, but it may be an aesthetic concern for some homeowners.
Water infiltration is the most common cause of concrete cracks. If water gets inside the concrete, it causes the concrete to expand and contract. This action creates small cracks in the concrete.
Air infiltration is also a common cause of concrete cracks. When the air gets inside the concrete, it causes the concrete to expand and contract. This action creates larger cracks in the concrete.
Freeze-thaw damage is also a common cause of concrete cracks. Freeze-thaw damage occurs when the temperature changes rapidly outside, and the concrete doesn’t have time to freeze and thaw. This action causes small cracks in the concrete.
Soil settlement is also a common cause of concrete cracks. Soil settlement happens when the soil underneath the concrete starts to move. This movement creates small cracks in the concrete.
Can You Grind A Concrete Wall?
Yes, you can grind a concrete wall. Grinding is the process of removing excess material from a surface. While the process may sound pretty simple, various factors need to be considered for it to be executed successfully.
Concrete is a strong, solid substance generally poured into moulds to construct walls. When the forms are removed, the seams and flaws of the forms are visible on the walls.
This can either be part of the wall’s charm, as with board-formed concrete, or it might be an eyesore that has to be addressed. You’re in luck if you want to smooth off some rough spots on your concrete walls.
A concrete grinder, surface grinder, rough diamond grit sanding pad, and a belt or revolving sander can be used to smooth concrete walls.
How Do You Install Wainscots On Concrete Block Walls?
A wainscot is a wall panel that adds a decorative touch to any space by being added to the lower portion of an existing wall.
The classic wainscot panel is a three or five-foot-high bead-board sheet, but multi-piece panels (similar to ornamental doors) are also available.
Wainscot panels are frequently used on wood-framed walls, but they may also be mounted on concrete block walls by utilizing construction glue rather than nails.
Step 1
Apply the latex block filler to the wainscot-covered block wall. The block filler is similar to paint and should be applied using a paint roller.
This provides a smooth surface for the construction glue to attach to and prevents moisture from the wall from harming the wainscot.
Step 2
Before proceeding to the following step, let the latex filler dry (as directed on the product label).
Step 3
Using a tape measure and pencil, measure and mark the center of the wall length (not over the height of the wainscot paneling) and a wainscot panel.
Step 4
Apply the construction adhesive to the wainscot panel’s inside the perimeter in a serpentine pattern across the rest of the panel. Most construction adhesives come in a tube and gun, allowing an even bead to be applied to the material.
Step 5
Align the two center markings established in Step 3 and apply pressure to the wainscot panel to spread the glue across the panel evenly. If the panel does not attach quickly, you may need to hold it against the wall for a few seconds.
Step 6
Repeat Steps 4 and 5 on the remaining panels, butting them end to end as you work your way towards the ends of the wall, and trim end panels to fit as needed with the circular saw.
Step 7
Apply construction glue to the rear of the base and top trim pieces, then attach corner trim pieces by cutting 45-degree miter joints with the chop saw.
