Frequently Asked Questions
 
Q: What size is Mikey Block?
A: Standard blocks are 4 feet long, 10 ½” wide and 12” high. Our one-piece Corner Blocks are 3’ on one leg and 2’ on the other, 10 ½” wide and 12” high.

Q: What about grout?
A: We recommend assembling walls up to six courses (6’ high) before your first grout pour. One cubic yard of concrete will fill about 91 square feet of wall surface.

Q: What is Mikey Block’s R-value?
A: A true 28. That's 35% more than conventional flat panel ICFs.
Q: Does Mikey Block meet building codes?
A: Absolutely. Mikey Block adheres to the International Residential Code (IRC) for screen grid ICFs.

Q: Do I need engineering to use Mikey Block?
A: The IRC specification for screen grid ICFs is valid for one or two-story homes, with or without basements, having no more than 10 feet between floors and total outside dimensions of no more than 40' x 60'. If your plans fall within these limits and your building authority has adopted the IRC (2003 or 2006), then you should not be required to have engineering. If your plans exceed these limits, then most likely you will.

Q: Are special tools required?
A: No. Most of the tools you already have, like a level, framing angle, stepladder, and hand saw. You will need to buy a glue gun.

Q: What about wallboard?
A: Our continuous OSB inserts at 12” OC horizontally allow for easy installation of wallboard with standard drywall screws. Hang sheets horizontally or vertically.

Q: What about rebar?
A: Rebar is placed both horizontally and vertically. Most common application is at 4’ intervals, although your specific plans may call for different sizes and intervals. We provide special Mikey Block rebar chairs to ensure correct placement in the block.

Q: How much bracing is needed?
A: Unless it's very windy, not very much. Consider these facts about Mikey Block:
  1. With each one-piece block having four 9" x 9" x 5.5" hourglass elements, our molded Mikey Blocks are extraordinarily strong.
     
  2. Our one piece corners are virtually self-plumbing and act as integral wall braces.
     
  3. Our inside and outside continous 1x2 OSB attachment/alignment detail effectively links the blocks end-to-end and laterally.
     
  4. Our 2.5" track detail does a great job of aligning the walls.
     
  5. Spot gluing between courses after alignment locks the block together into a solid wall prior to grouting.
    Longer walls or windy conditions may warrant bracing —in the latter case, just to keep the wall from blowing over. If so, Unistrut, boards or any other straight, rigid material attached vertically to the OSB splines do an excellent job.


Q: What is the 2.5" track for?
A: When you buy Mikey Block, always purchase an amount of 2.5 inch steel track equal to three times the linear footage of your walls. The first third gets attached to your slab or stem wall, typically with 1/4" dia. x 3/4" drive pins. You lay it out so the inside panel of the first course of Mikey Block fits into this track. The purpose is two-fold. Number one, it allows you to lay out your walls as straight as a string. Number 2, it provides an attachment detail for drywall and baseboard down at the floor (Note: the OSB provides continuous horizontal attachment at the top of each course, but there is no OSB at the bottom of the wall). The remainder of the track is used for aligning the walls, to shield the OSB channels during grouting, and as an attachment detail at the top. All in all, the 2.5" track is possibly your greatest ally in making your walls straight.

Q: Is Mikey Block Good For Basements?
A: Absolutely. Below grade structures are strictly out of bounds for any building material except masonry and ICFs. Although the cost of concrete block is lower, the built-in insulation and ease of construction make Mikey Block a great choice.

Q: Who can we get to install Mikey Block?
A: Mikey Block was designed and developed with the Do-It-Yourselfer in mind. We find that builders, masonry contractors and framing contractors readily adapt their skills to Mikey Block. There may be ICF contractors in your area as well, who are familiar with other ICF systems. Our Installation Manual, Standard Details, and other information (available from the Request Information tab) provide detailed instructions for you or your builder, and, of course, you can also contact us for additional information or advice.

Q: What About Shipping?
A: We have distribution centers in Tucson, Arizona and Dalhart, Texas