Alternatives to form stakes through radon barrier
idahobuild
| Posted in General Questions on
Hey all,
I have the rafon barrier in with insulation and pex on top. Yhe concrete sub was just about to drive some one inch stakes, for form support, through the barrier.
They said that they need to use stakesfor the shower form and the field elevations.
I suggested they use the shower box for support – I don’t know if they liked that idea.
Are there alternatives that I can suggest?
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Replies
idaho build,
Negative pressure in the radon piping means that holes in the control barrier should only "leak" down to the stone bed and out the pipes. A limited number of holes are largely meaningless. Even for moisture migration upward the staking holes will be of very tiny impact. Especially if these are in your shower area. Let them get your shower and floor set correctly based on their requirements. If you interfere, you could become the goat if the pour goes south.
I would also urge you to photograph the layout of pex NOW with measured references that can be found later. Even though your pex is locked in the panels with regular spacing their locations will become a complete mystery once the pour is done. As me how I know. You may not think there will be any reason to drill into the slab, but the future always holds surprises.
One happy point. At least they can see the pex now while driving the stakes. By the way, have you pressure tested the pex yet?
Well, I scared them. So, they called talk to their boss. We are going to work through a solution on Monday.
Honestly, based on previous errors made by this sub, I wanted to take the time to have the conversation about the stakes (not to mention the locations/routes of the radon and plumbing pipes). I certainly dont want a stake driven through them -- especially the plumbing. I think the language barrier got in the way and panick set in.
I'll let them know we can use stakes but if possible we should be thrifty and carful with their placement.
We have lots of pictures and videos of the pex.
It has been through pressure testing and remains under pressure at the moment.
I'm sure we'll work it out on Monday.