Building with ICFs has many advantages. However, it also has many differences from conventional methods. One significant difference is installing electrical in ICF walls. Wiring can get tricky when dealing with ICF walls because of the foam insulation and concrete. However, there’s no need to stress; we have you covered. Read on to learn the basics of installing electrical work in ICF walls.
Let’s start with the following tools and materials you’ll need:
- Electrical Boxes: Plastic ones with a flange / Wall-mount metal boxes
- Hot Knife: Makes cutting foam a breeze
- Handsaw: For cutting foam if you’re up for some manual work
- Electric Saw: Handy for cutting electrical chases
- Drill with Masonry Bit: To drill holes in concrete
- Simple Lever and Hammer: For removing leftover foam and concrete
- Foam Insulation: To keep those wires in place
6 Steps For Installing Electrical in ICF Walls
1. Mark It
The first point is to determine where you need the electrical box. Depending on its purpose, there may be different height and placement requirements.
2. Foam Cutting
Next, it’s time to cut the foam. Grab a hot knife if you have one handy—its quick heating action makes cutting easy. If you don’t have a hot knife, a handsaw will do the trick, but be ready for more elbow grease!
3. Foam Removal
When cutting, go through right along the marked lines, close to the web, so the box fits snugly. After you’ve cut out the foam, use a lever to pop it out. If you spot any concrete bits sticking out where the box should go, chip them away.
4. Mounting Electrical Boxes
Proper box mounting is essential. Plastic ones should sit tight next to the web. For metal boxes, drill a hole into the concrete after cutting the foam. Make sure everything’s level before screwing it in place.
5. Cutting Electrical Chases
Grab your electric saw to cut chases to run the wires. To make it easier to cut through, focus on cutting at the joints with no webbing. Make sure the chases are at the correct depth as per building codes.
6. Running Electrical Wires
Feed the electrical wires into the chases from one box to another. Add small dabs of foam insulation every so often to keep the wires in place and prevent them from shifting.
Follow the steps and use the right tools when installing electrical in ICF walls. Some electrical work may also require planning before building the ICF forms and pouring concrete. It is also important to follow the necessary building codes for electrical work.
Are you interested in building with ICFs? Click here to contact the team from SuperForm. Our innovative ICF system simplifies construction while creating stronger concrete. Reach out now to learn more about the benefits of SuperForm building products.
Thanks for visiting!