Search could not find it, but I am sure someone said they were doing a footing with Form-A-Drain not to long ago.
I did a take off and cost for the stuff the other day. Even got the literature (sales stuff), but haven’t recieved any technical or installation information on it yet. Certinteed’s web site has an auto responce to e-mail, but know one has followed up on my two inquires yet (week and a half).
Anyone have experience with the product? Like it, dislike it, cost effective vs. drain tile and standard forms, hints or cautions about using the stuff? I am three away from having the hole dug, and probably need to make a decision soon.
Dave
Replies
I've worked on one house that had form-a-drain, and liked the stuff. It wasn't my house, so I didn't pay for the stuff. But I seem to remember it was fairly expensive.
I like the idea that the footing drains are level. (At least assuming the footings are level) No dips or jumps like round drains tile thrown in the gravel.
I've had people ask me if the stuff was too brittle, and might get busted once it was set. But I've never seen any evidence of that happening.
There's one foundation contractor around here who uses the stuff exclusively, and has for several years. I think the guy is a pretty upstanding contractor, so that says a lot to me.
Offhand, the only down side to the stuff that I can remember hearing is the expense.
The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
It is a little pricey, but using 2x8 or 2x10 is also expensive if there is no other use for them. My house design uses, you'll like this, floor trusses and roof trusses. Window and door headers are 2x10 but not 500+ lineal feet of them. footing are 8"x28" so really 2x8s would be better, and there are even fewer places to use them in the structure. I think the waste factor for demensional lumber, in my case, would be far greater than the addtional cost of the Form-A-Drain.
Thanks for your reply.
Dave