Visqueen on inside of plywood concrete forms

[bnentrup]

Gents,
I am getting ready for a foundation wall pour: the wall is about 120 linear feet, and 6' tall (concrete)..2' tall wood. I am wanting to be as frugal as possible, and want to use materials that I am using elsewhere in the project for forming. I know that structurally, OSB has enough strength for concrete forms, especially with the 6' height, but I know that the skin it leave on the concrete is not appealing.

Therefore, has anyone tried to install visqueen on the inside of a wood concrete form. I could get by doing just 1-side of the form this way, since the other side will be underground. That stated, evaporation should not be of an issue. If the visqueen is stretched tight on the inside form, will it leave a decent finished product? Will the visqueen easily remove (if needed) or can I leave it up and also serve as a future vapor barrier?

thanks guys,

[ToddRolston]

I have never heard of that done before, in my opinion the visqueen would stick to the concrete in most places creating possible pockets for water to be traped. Have you checked on if you may rent the forms and how much they would cost ?

[bnentrup]

well, researching further-- I found a site that does 'stamped concrete walls' using tar paper and cutting out designs on the tar paper. The paper would then be stapled to the plywood form and the result being stamped designs (like dolphins, flowers etc). Although I am not sure if I want any designs, it just states that tar paper, and assuming normal cheap construction resin paper, would do the trick without problem. I can imagine that some spots of the paper will stick to the concrete (maybe I can apply a release agent to the paper to reduce). Some areas may need scraped off (doubt if using the release agent). Construction paper is somewhat porous and will lay flat on the plywood form.

Seeing some of the designs, makes me think-- maybe I want a few designs in the basement walls?? hmmmmm. Ultimately, those walls will be covered up with drywall, but I simply do not want people to laugh when they see I chose to use OSB instead of a smooth plywood wall.

[Don_P]

I've used plastic and tarpaper, the tarpaper will stick. Make sure to pull the plastic taught if you go that route.

[rwanders]

I often used visqueen while forming tilt up wall sections---it should work well for you---pull tight for best finish.

[RTF]

Gents,
I am getting ready for a foundation wall pour: the wall is about 120 linear feet, and 6' tall (concrete)..2' tall wood. I am wanting to be as frugal as possible, and want to use materials that I am using elsewhere in the project for forming. I know that structurally, OSB has enough strength for concrete forms, especially with the 6' height, but I know that the skin it leave on the concrete is not appealing.

Therefore, has anyone tried to install visqueen on the inside of a wood concrete form. I could get by doing just 1-side of the form this way, since the other side will be underground. That stated, evaporation should not be of an issue. If the visqueen is stretched tight on the inside form, will it leave a decent finished product? Will the visqueen easily remove (if needed) or can I leave it up and also serve as a future vapor barrier?

thanks guys,

Your use of plastic on your form boards will not effect your slab. It needs to be attached as tight as possible to the inside of your form boards. A concrete releasing agent can be sprayed to the surface of the plastic prior to pouring to insure release. However I recommend using pieces of regular plywood and/or dimensional lumber to do your forming.