Replies

1. 
   Finehomes | Apr 14, 2002 02:42am | #1

   Wesley,

   I don't have a lot of experience with plywood or osb used as forms.  All of the foundation contractors here in Utah use forms specifically for foundations and reuse them hundreds of times before they have to be replaced.  I just had a discussion with my brother about your exact question last week and in Oregon where he builds it is fairly common practice to use plywood for forms.  They do very few walls there that are over 30" tall so when you have to do taller walls such as on a hillside, they use the plywood to form the foundation.  His comment was that he absolutely refuses to use forms for anything in the house and it would only be a cheap builder that would try to use them in the house.  His biggest issue is the diesel that gets sprayed all over the forms as a release agent that could be a health issue and is just plain messy.  I would have to agree with him and say your builder is just trying to save money and I wouldn't let him use the forms on any part of the house.  Just my two cents.

   Sam Morgan

   S. W. Morgan Fine Homes

2. 
   geoffmurray | Apr 14, 2002 07:54am | #2

   I think it is fine to recycle the form boards. The holes won't affect anything because they will be covered with building paper and exterior finish. I fact, it is often required that sheathing have holes in it to let the insulation space breathe.

   Recycling like this is a good use of sound material. The form plywood is better than the OSB that will be used on the rest of the house.

   As for the form oil? If it is a concern, have your builder put it to the outside.

   The good are lucky