Excellent job explaining the details! You and the guys made this installation look fast and easy with a low pucker factor.Great time management with impressive results. I really love the use of fiberglass reinforcement bar!
Just found your channel. Im looking to diy build a pool next year. I have a small excavation/septic business in SW MO. Definitely enjoy seeing the details. Thanks! I’ll definitely check back for more.
So I decided to build my own ICF blocks for my project will send you some pictures once we have them ready to go for your thoughts. Nice videos & projects.cheers!
Great details, really looking forward to the plumbing part, that gets glossed over in every other video I’ve seen on yt. Was there any rough-in you did in the wall before the concrete?
Yes. Two skimmers and 14 return keys in the walls…. I’ll show the return jets up close in that vid as there are two more in the stairs…. The reason we have so many is we are putting in 6 micro brutes in lieu of one or two big intellibrites for more even light distribution! But these are basically just fittings with a rubber gasket for the liner and a make adapter changing it from threaded to slip, and a small length of 1.5” pipe coming out the back of the wall…. There are two main drains in the floor that I’ll show too, everything else is outside the pool!
I like the fiberglass rebar, it eliminates what has always seemed to me like a flaw in concrete, the inevitable rusting of the rebar causing internal pressure and cracking. If they could do the block interconnect clips out of something other than metal that would be great.
Have you done a full ICF home with that LiteBar or other GFRP Rebar? It is almost 2/3rds the price of steel bar and looking at the data sheets it looks like it performs better too.
My local municipalities are a bit slow to the party and are still requiring steel in footings snd a few other areas, but we are using it everywhere we can! It’s nice, cut it with a skill saw, super lightweight, and you are correct, Data says It’s stronger
@@all3pools Helix looks promising too, but it sure looks costly.. I think I am going to stick with the tried and true steel bar for now, but it looks like options will open up in the future.
A pool engineer has told us he can engineer our mono’s with helix and the labor savings would make it worth while to check out…. But he said we’d still need to reinforce certain areas like spillover walls, so we haven’t pursued it…
A few question: What is the ICF Fox Block thickness 6"8"12 etc? What Mix are you using for the wall for a vinyl pool vs a Mono Pour (4-5-6 slump)? Looks like an easier flow mix works better for a straight pour. How is the Coping planned out and attached to the concrete ICF wall?
Are you vacuuming out the dust from the drill holes before you epoxy the fiber rod in? I know in some parts of the country it is a bigg no no to not do that. Thanks for the more in-depth vid.
Good eye, they do vibrate it some, more of a concern on a monopour, we had some tech difficulty on our videos audio so I didn’t get some of the clips of the pour in there…. That said, we don’t worry too much on a liner because it doesn’t need to be water tight as the liner and gaskets do the work…. Typically, vinyl liners have thin steel or polymer walls, and vermiculite bottoms so this all concrete design is far superior structurally, and it has the added benefit of being insulated!
Awesome videos, thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. I have completed 3 ICF pools now with fiberglass stairs, but I would like to complete my next couple with custom walk in stairs with vinyl liner. Do you have any suggestions for making your liner stay tight to the stairs when filling with water? I notice with steel kit stairs they have a spot for the liner bead to go in, but you obviously don't have that with concrete stairs. Thanks for your time.
Actually you do now, they make a couple different tracks we install before we pour the concrete stairs, dropping a liner in the next couple weeks and I’ll do a vid
Thanks for sharing this process with everyone. Question about the coping, how will you attach it and anchor it to the top of the foam? Will you just glue with spray foam and then let it lock to slab surrounding the pool?
I had the same question. I'm researching fox blocks and build blocks right now and it looks like the plastic frame structure has an ability to be screwed into at certain points through the foam just like a stud. It is even labeled stud from what I can tell. I'm not sure if that how it was done in the video but that was my assumption and plan for our company's first attempt.
The Lite Bar rebar is from Liteform Blocks, yet you use Foxblock? Been trying to get a distributor for foxblock in Orlando FL but the one I found seemed sketchy..... felt he was trying to overcharge me...
Yes, I like fox a lot better that lite form for blocks, sturdier feeling block, I’m sure performance once cast is the same either way it’s just a personal preference…. Fox doesn’t have a decking material or bar, so my distributor carries fix icf, but also deal lite deck and lite bar, but not lite form lol…. I think fox doesn’t love the arrangement but they’ve frowned when we suggest that they start making deck material lol…. Both products are great, email kelvin@foxblocks.com directly, tell him you saw the vids and would like sourcing in Orlando, if he doesn’t have a rep right there they can likely ship direct from closest molding plant!
I love the videos, I'm getting ready to build my own pool out of ICF, I am looking forward to the video of how your going to do the ecofinish over the ICF as that is what I am planning on doing. Do you add anything into the concrete mix to make it waterproof and do any kind of waterproofing or is the ecofinish all the waterproofing that is needed? Also if you could show more detail of the plumbing that would be great especially how you fit the skimmer into the ICF.
Stay tuned, going through our training in 2 weeks, don’t use xypex or any other waterproofing modifier if you plan to use eco, they prefer their epoxy base to penetrate!
Have you looked into 60 mil PVC Membrane liners(they come in 6Ft wide rolls, and our welded on-site)Were installing our first one next week.They’re more expensive material, and labor wise, but they are bulletproof.We signed on with Renolit corporation as a dealer,and they’re sending out a factory trained installer to work with our guys on a new pool job site.I think PVC Membrane linings would be a perfect fit for your type of construction especially with flat tapered pool bottom.
Iron Brother, I'd love to hear how that PVC membrane installation went. How did the seams work out? And how does it look under the pool lights at night? Do you think that could be DIY?
Hi, Thanks for a great video! Very informative. A quick question: it looks like the floor and footings are a one piece. How did you do the engineering for the rebar/footings and thickness of the concrete? Thank you.
In a liber pool engineering isn’t very important, assuming it’s 100% backfilled, the walls are infinitely more sound than their polymer or steel counterparts…. The floor is 4” of concrete in this case, compared to 2” of vermiculite in most kits, again way stronger, if it cracks it doesn’t really matter because your liner is doing all the work! The monolithic footings end up being the same as they would be if it was a regular house footing, we dig them about 8” deeper than the floor so they are 12” thick and about 24” wide
Well ya, typical vinyl liner bottom is made of something called poolcrete, which is basically, Portland, sand, and vermiculite…. It never gets super hard so it’s good on the liner, but it erodes and needs repair every time you replace the liner…. Plus, it’s more money than concrete…. More labor intensive too as it’s mixed onsite, that said, if you are wanting a full bore diy experience it is more controllable than concrete as it’s one bag at a time, instead of 8-10 yard trucks…. But concrete and liner foam is stronger, cheaper, and faster IMO:)
I get most of the track direct from my supplier, unless I’m using an auto cover…. I’m actually about to launch my site and we will be offering full vinyl liner diy kits!
The bullnose aluminum is stout enough we literally use great stuff liquid nails snd glue it to the icf and pour coping with wall…. If we use cantilever type we cut 4 inches of the inner form off and form it back with melamine so the concrete goes to the inner edge snd then tapcon it down
@@all3pools sorry for all the questions, if I’m just going to setup ICF forms with 90 corners what radius bullnose corner sections do you buy from your supplier? Thanks
Clipping two rows, as per manufacturers spec is expensive? Maybe $100 in clips in the whole pool, and I don’t have to wait for foam to dry…. I use the heck out of foam where appropriate, but clips exist for a reason…
When I talk a about lifts during my monopours or talk walls I’m not talking about separate pour, I just make laps around the pour of 3-4 feet per lift, but I’m back around before it sets enough to make a cold joint…. We routinely pour 15’ in icf walls, it’s all timing! Pros are one piece is stronger, and fewer pump trucks = less money
Excellent job explaining the details! You and the guys made this installation look fast and easy with a low pucker factor.Great time management with impressive results. I really love the use of fiberglass reinforcement bar!
Just found your channel. Im looking to diy build a pool next year. I have a small excavation/septic business in SW MO. Definitely enjoy seeing the details. Thanks! I’ll definitely check back for more.
So I decided to build my own ICF blocks for my project will send you some pictures once we have them ready to go for your thoughts.
Nice videos & projects.cheers!
Really good info, thank you! The ICF materials are impressive and I think they're going to be a big part of the construction trades going forward.
Agreed
Great details, really looking forward to the plumbing part, that gets glossed over in every other video I’ve seen on yt. Was there any rough-in you did in the wall before the concrete?
Yes. Two skimmers and 14 return keys in the walls…. I’ll show the return jets up close in that vid as there are two more in the stairs…. The reason we have so many is we are putting in 6 micro brutes in lieu of one or two big intellibrites for more even light distribution! But these are basically just fittings with a rubber gasket for the liner and a make adapter changing it from threaded to slip, and a small length of 1.5” pipe coming out the back of the wall…. There are two main drains in the floor that I’ll show too, everything else is outside the pool!
I like the fiberglass rebar, it eliminates what has always seemed to me like a flaw in concrete, the inevitable rusting of the rebar causing internal pressure and cracking. If they could do the block interconnect clips out of something other than metal that would be great.
Love your videos. Crisp and covers the key points
Have you done a full ICF home with that LiteBar or other GFRP Rebar? It is almost 2/3rds the price of steel bar and looking at the data sheets it looks like it performs better too.
My local municipalities are a bit slow to the party and are still requiring steel in footings snd a few other areas, but we are using it everywhere we can! It’s nice, cut it with a skill saw, super lightweight, and you are correct, Data says It’s stronger
@@all3pools Helix looks promising too, but it sure looks costly.. I think I am going to stick with the tried and true steel bar for now, but it looks like options will open up in the future.
A pool engineer has told us he can engineer our mono’s with helix and the labor savings would make it worth while to check out…. But he said we’d still need to reinforce certain areas like spillover walls, so we haven’t pursued it…
A few question:
What is the ICF Fox Block thickness 6"8"12 etc?
What Mix are you using for the wall for a vinyl pool vs a Mono Pour (4-5-6 slump)? Looks like an easier flow mix works better for a straight pour.
How is the Coping planned out and attached to the concrete ICF wall?
Are you vacuuming out the dust from the drill holes before you epoxy the fiber rod in? I know in some parts of the country it is a bigg no no to not do that.
Thanks for the more in-depth vid.
Yes
@@all3pools Awesome. You are on point with your practices. So nice to see a contractor not cutting corners on simple/easy tasks. 👍
I noticed no one was working on consolidation the concrete during the pour. Was the mix so fluid no concern for honeycombing ? Thanks
Good eye, they do vibrate it some, more of a concern on a monopour, we had some tech difficulty on our videos audio so I didn’t get some of the clips of the pour in there…. That said, we don’t worry too much on a liner because it doesn’t need to be water tight as the liner and gaskets do the work…. Typically, vinyl liners have thin steel or polymer walls, and vermiculite bottoms so this all concrete design is far superior structurally, and it has the added benefit of being insulated!
@@all3pools Thanks...Keep up the great content
Awesome videos, thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. I have completed 3 ICF pools now with fiberglass stairs, but I would like to complete my next couple with custom walk in stairs with vinyl liner. Do you have any suggestions for making your liner stay tight to the stairs when filling with water? I notice with steel kit stairs they have a spot for the liner bead to go in, but you obviously don't have that with concrete stairs. Thanks for your time.
Actually you do now, they make a couple different tracks we install before we pour the concrete stairs, dropping a liner in the next couple weeks and I’ll do a vid
Awesome sounds good. Do you mind sharing what these products are? Thank you
Thanks for sharing this process with everyone. Question about the coping, how will you attach it and anchor it to the top of the foam? Will you just glue with spray foam and then let it lock to slab surrounding the pool?
I had the same question. I'm researching fox blocks and build blocks right now and it looks like the plastic frame structure has an ability to be screwed into at certain points through the foam just like a stud. It is even labeled stud from what I can tell. I'm not sure if that how it was done in the video but that was my assumption and plan for our company's first attempt.
Is there a part 2 to this video I can't seem to find it
What are the pros and cons of doing a icf wall pour in a single pour for the entire wall height versus separate lifts (of say 4 foot each)?
The Lite Bar rebar is from Liteform Blocks, yet you use Foxblock? Been trying to get a distributor for foxblock in Orlando FL but the one I found seemed sketchy..... felt he was trying to overcharge me...
Yes, I like fox a lot better that lite form for blocks, sturdier feeling block, I’m sure performance once cast is the same either way it’s just a personal preference…. Fox doesn’t have a decking material or bar, so my distributor carries fix icf, but also deal lite deck and lite bar, but not lite form lol…. I think fox doesn’t love the arrangement but they’ve frowned when we suggest that they start making deck material lol…. Both products are great, email kelvin@foxblocks.com directly, tell him you saw the vids and would like sourcing in Orlando, if he doesn’t have a rep right there they can likely ship direct from closest molding plant!
@@all3pools Thxs!!
Same here In fl.
I switched to build block after that fox guy
Any issues with termites? I’ve heard they love those things..
I have a video on here about that, mostly urban legend
I love the videos, I'm getting ready to build my own pool out of ICF, I am looking forward to the video of how your going to do the ecofinish over the ICF as that is what I am planning on doing. Do you add anything into the concrete mix to make it waterproof and do any kind of waterproofing or is the ecofinish all the waterproofing that is needed? Also if you could show more detail of the plumbing that would be great especially how you fit the skimmer into the ICF.
Stay tuned, going through our training in 2 weeks, don’t use xypex or any other waterproofing modifier if you plan to use eco, they prefer their epoxy base to penetrate!
Have you looked into 60 mil PVC Membrane liners(they come in 6Ft wide rolls, and our welded on-site)Were installing our first one next week.They’re more expensive material, and labor wise, but they are bulletproof.We signed on with Renolit corporation as a dealer,and they’re sending out a factory trained installer to work with our guys on a new pool job site.I think PVC Membrane linings would be a perfect fit for your type of construction especially with flat tapered pool bottom.
I haven’t, sounds like the 60 mil tpo we weld on roofs lol, that stuff is very tough!
@@all3pools Yes very similar, and Renolit does manufacture commercial membrane roofing systems.
Iron Brother, I'd love to hear how that PVC membrane installation went. How did the seams work out? And how does it look under the pool lights at night? Do you think that could be DIY?
Hi, Thanks for a great video! Very informative. A quick question: it looks like the floor and footings are a one piece. How did you do the engineering for the rebar/footings and thickness of the concrete? Thank you.
In a liber pool engineering isn’t very important, assuming it’s 100% backfilled, the walls are infinitely more sound than their polymer or steel counterparts…. The floor is 4” of concrete in this case, compared to 2” of vermiculite in most kits, again way stronger, if it cracks it doesn’t really matter because your liner is doing all the work! The monolithic footings end up being the same as they would be if it was a regular house footing, we dig them about 8” deeper than the floor so they are 12” thick and about 24” wide
@@all3pools That makes total sense, thank you very much for your reply!
Could you just pour the footings under the wall and then put in sand/cement floor when using a liner? Or do you have to use the concrete floor?
Well ya, typical vinyl liner bottom is made of something called poolcrete, which is basically, Portland, sand, and vermiculite…. It never gets super hard so it’s good on the liner, but it erodes and needs repair every time you replace the liner…. Plus, it’s more money than concrete…. More labor intensive too as it’s mixed onsite, that said, if you are wanting a full bore diy experience it is more controllable than concrete as it’s one bag at a time, instead of 8-10 yard trucks…. But concrete and liner foam is stronger, cheaper, and faster IMO:)
Why not rebar or re mesh in the floor?
Is it necessary to vibrate the concrete?
No, if your mix design is right, with no window or door openings you don’t need to vibrate anything
@@all3pools Thank you for the reply. And good to hear... that'll cut down on the expense a bit, and every bit helps.
Do you have any specific company you use for the liner track? Starting to put my supply list together for building my ICF pool. Thanks in advance.
I get most of the track direct from my supplier, unless I’m using an auto cover…. I’m actually about to launch my site and we will be offering full vinyl liner diy kits!
@@all3pools what style track is it? I didn’t see in any videos how you have attached it. Thanks in advance
The bullnose aluminum is stout enough we literally use great stuff liquid nails snd glue it to the icf and pour coping with wall…. If we use cantilever type we cut 4 inches of the inner form off and form it back with melamine so the concrete goes to the inner edge snd then tapcon it down
@@all3pools sorry for all the questions, if I’m just going to setup ICF forms with 90 corners what radius bullnose corner sections do you buy from your supplier? Thanks
None or 6”
Super cool.
Thanks!
Do you all have aome one in texas that will build one out here ?
Some guys from Austin have come through training, how close is that to you?
I am in EAST TEXAS
TYLER TX
4 to 5 hours from AUSTIN TX
Nice. Now where is part 2?
It’s on here, I think it may just be called icf liner detailed instal
Can you do a hot tub with ICF?
Yep
Seems expensive using those clips we always just foam glued our first 2 rows and all corners it doesn't take much glue either
Clipping two rows, as per manufacturers spec is expensive? Maybe $100 in clips in the whole pool, and I don’t have to wait for foam to dry…. I use the heck out of foam where appropriate, but clips exist for a reason…
The clips are also there to eliminate blowouts, specially at the corners.
zip ties work
I could only take 2 minutes of the annoying music. I’m out.
What are the pros and cons of doing a icf wall pour in a single pour for the entire wall height versus separate lifts (of say 4 foot each)?
When I talk a about lifts during my monopours or talk walls I’m not talking about separate pour, I just make laps around the pour of 3-4 feet per lift, but I’m back around before it sets enough to make a cold joint…. We routinely pour 15’ in icf walls, it’s all timing! Pros are one piece is stronger, and fewer pump trucks = less money