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The Pomranky family has trusted Helix Micro Rebar in their ICF projects throughout the Inland Northwest, helping to build one of the largest ICF product supply centers in the region.
“We are a one-stop shop for all things related to ICF,” says ICF Specialties owner Ed Pomranky. “But our real value lies in building relationships with our customers. They tell us that they feel like family when working with ICF Specialties.”
A family-owned business since 1999, ICF Specialties is an Inland Northwest (Washington, Oregon, and Idaho) supplier that provides multiple products lines and exceptional service in its retail and wholesale facilities. It has contributed to the construction of hundreds of homes throughout the Pacific Northwest.
With two generations now managing the operations, with decades of experience in ICF, ICF Specialties is the go-to for customer education on design, training, supplies and installation guidance.
ICF Specialties is the Regional Must-Stop for Helix Micro Rebar
The Northwest is another region where Helix Micro Rebar has really caught on with local builders. “It’s amazing how many people are receptive when they learn how Helix Micro Rebar can save on time and labor,” says Pomranky. “We have been involved in a multitude of projects and currently include Helix Micro Rebar in all our quotes and designs every time. I would say at least 85% of the projects we have supported in the last five years are done with Helix.”
Helix Micro Rebar is an innovative concrete reinforcement unlike any other. It’s a one-inch twisted piece of steel combined with thousands of others to build a composite concrete element. By replacing rebar with this product, concrete durability increases and cracks decrease in a wide range of applications, from footings to slabs to ICF.
Not having to spend time and energy on rebar installation means significant time savings. For ICF projects like those that ICF Specialties supplies, Pomranky estimates that it reduces labor time by up to 25%!
Builders Trust the Concrete Reinforcement that Saves Times and Money
Homebuilders here are increasingly trusting Helix Micro Rebar and ICF construction. “We actually just had a customer who called ICF Specialties about Helix Micro Rebar,” says Pomranky. “This was because the inspector was insisting on #6 rebar for a standard concrete form board (non-ICF) concrete wall. The owner remembered when I was talking to him about Helix Micro Rebar and how it can either replace rebar or be used congruently with rebar. We were able to get him hooked up with our engineer and with the correct dose to satisfy the inspector’s request. He was extremely satisfied with the solution to his issue.”
Helix Micro Rebar Takes ICF to New Heights
Pomranky recalls one special project that would have been very challenging were it not for Helix Micro Rebar. “It was on a hillside with two huge homes above it,” he says. “The original engineering called for #5 12” of vertical and #5 16” of horizontal. With 9lbs per yard of Helix Micro Rebar, we were able to reduce the conventional rebar to #5 24” of vertical and 16” of horizontal. It also allowed us to increase the height of the wall from 9’6” tall to 14’2” and remove most of the rebar.”
It was the one simple change to Helix Micro Rebar that made the build much more cost-effective in both materials and labor, while giving the homeowner the opportunity to enjoy taller walls and more spacious interiors.
ICF Stops Wildfire in the Inland Northwest
Pomranky says that their customers “absolutely love” Helix Micro Rebar in ICF construction and that it has always stood the test of time—even when disaster strikes.
Last year, Pomranky’s own installers helped a homeowner build his own ICF home using Helix Micro Rebar. Unfortunately, two weeks after his concrete walls were poured and the center peak roof beam was put up for his roof rafters, a fire swept through the neighborhood and engulfed nearly all of the homes in the area. His home only had a roof beam and upstairs floor framing, which caught fire immediately.
Unfortunately, the ICF home was fully burned, including the foam that melted off the walls, but the concrete walls themselves were still standing. Though highly compromised, this strong concrete structure had single-handedly stopped the fire from spreading to the home adjacent to it, resulting in five homes left fully intact!
The home was rebuilt and the homeowner is a firm believer that ICF and Helix Micro Rebar are the best duo for new home construction.
A Better Way to Build New Homes
Insulated concrete forms using Helix Micro Rebar save time and money while resulting in homes that greatly improve energy efficiency.
If you’re in the Inland Northwest, drop by ICF Specialties in Spokane and learn more about the many reasons why the Pomranky family’s “one-stop shop for ICF” is your go-to for new home construction.
Would you like to learn how you can build smarter with ICF and Helix Micro Rebar? Reach out!
ICF Specialties
Serving the Inland Northwest (Washington, Oregon and Idaho)
4915 S Ben Franklin Ln. #5
Spokane, WA 99224
509-599-7218
Give Helix a Listen
Listen to Helix Steel’s Senior Account Executive Erica Marr talk about the power of Helix Micro Rebar in ICF in this “Build With ICF” podcast.
Lake Havasu City in Northwest Arizona has faced serious issues with its asphalt roads due to the extremely high desert temperatures. Since asphalt temperatures are 40 to 60 degrees hotter than the temperature of the air, damage to roads is frequent, especially in places where vehicles are braking and turning.
High-Traffic Road Needed a Different Solution
Seeking a more durable solution for one road in particular, Lake Havasu City chose to replace straight sections of asphalt with new asphalt, while high-wear-and-tear intersections would be replaced with concrete. The goal was to improve the longevity and resilience of the city’s roads.
Lake Havasu City selected local General Contractor Pioneer Earthmoving and commercial concrete contractor Protek Construction to take on the task.
“Protek is in its 30th year and has really made a name for itself in the region,” says Dennis Hext, General Manager for Protek. “In the past three years, we have doubled our revenue because of our team of 33 who are committed to doing high-quality work and getting it done on time.”
Focused on customer service, quality work and meeting deadlines, Protek became a Top 12 Finalist for the 2023 Contractor of the Year Awards by Equipment World/Caterpillar.
Replacing Rebar With the Alternative
Protek proposed using Helix Micro Rebar™ in the concrete for the pavement rehabilitation project, instead of rebar. Helix Micro Rebar™, a twisted concrete reinforcement technology, enhances concrete’s structural integrity and crack resistance, making it an ideal solution for applications that need to withstand significant elements.
Hext had already seen the benefits of Helix Micro Rebar™ from past projects, such as a facility’s 80,000 square-foot slab and high-strength curbs for an international transportation company, and knew that it would be a wise choice for this application as well.
Time Flies With Helix Micro Rebar
One of the biggest reasons contractors and developers choose Helix Micro Rebar™ is its ability to expedite construction schedules, which can lead to significant cost savings.
“Honestly, it’s not much cheaper to buy the product,” admits Hext. “But you will save significant money on labor costs since you don’t spend days and days on rebar installation. Plus, the job gets done faster. We poured up to 550 yards in a single day, which is very good for a project like this.”
Another reason Hext chose Helix Micro Rebar™ is that Protek owns a laser screed, which makes concrete finishing far easier than using standard finishing tools. Using Helix Micro Rebar™ provides the added benefit of even more speed since there would be no rebar to inhibit the movement of the laser screed.
Teamwork Makes the Concrete Dream Work
Doing a job faster and better is one thing, but Protek greatly values working with professionals who understand the importance of putting their all into every project.
Hext has a very positive relationship with their local ready-mix plant, Campbell Redi-Mix, which is where the Helix Micro Rebar™ is mixed into the concrete, directly in the concrete mixer. The owner understands the benefits of the tiny twisted concrete reinforcement, and often visits the Protek pour sites to ensure everything goes according to plan.
Hext’s team also has support directly from Helix Steel, the makers of Helix Micro Rebar™. He says that one of the best things about Helix Micro Rebar™ is being able to rely on Helix Steel’s engineering team.
“We can send the drawings and they send back the dosage and stamp within three to four days,” says Hext. “We can then take the engineered and stamped drawings and mix design submittals right to the customer. This adds a level of professionalism and gives the customer comfort.”
Depending on the pour, specifications and project scope, Helix Steel will also have a team member onsite to assist in the preparation and placement.
In the case of the Lake Havasu City pavement project, each pour included a heavy dosage of 22-1/2 lb/yd of Helix Micro Rebar™, ensuring enhanced durability and crack resistance for decades to come. (Standard warehouse slabs can have dosages as low as 9 lb/yd.)
Smooth Roads Ahead for Arizona
Despite intentional damage shortly after placement, which was quickly fixed by Protek’s team of finishers, the concrete intersections have held up well, showcasing the concrete’s durability.
The next time you’re driving down Industrial Boulevard in Lake Havasu City, thank the Protek team and Helix Micro Rebar™ for the smooth ride.
Also, the next time you need commercial concrete professionals in Arizona, trust Protek. Their team’s commitment to quality, efficiency and timeliness, combined with Helix Micro Rebar™, has earned them a reputation as a leader in concrete contracting.
If you want to learn more about how you can work more efficiently using a concrete reinforcement that can save you time and money on your next pavement project – or any other application – reach out to our knowledgeable American team today.
For five years, Dalmaray Concrete Products in Southern Wisconsin has trusted Helix Steel’s innovative concrete reinforcement product with simplifying its production processes, saving money and expediting its workflow.
Dalmaray has been a leader in delivering precast water and wastewater products in Wisconsin and Illinois for more than 60 years, providing drywell and distribution boxes, concrete water well covers and more.
Superior Precast Concrete Reinforcement
“We’re known for our high-quality vessels that never fail,” says David Rasmussen, Technical Sales/QC, Dalmaray Concrete Products. As the person whose job is to ensure that precast production goes the right way and getting the jobs done right, Rasmussen and his team trusts in Helix Steel’s proven concrete reinforcement solution that provides superior strength and durability, while also delivering the right engineering for whatever job they are working on.
“The process is just much more efficient with Micro Rebar™,” he says. “We used to have mesh that we would have to cut to the right size, then bend each section using a bender. Then we’d take the four straight pieces and tie each corner in. It took a lot of time.”
Precast Concrete Reinforcement Time Savings
Not having to assemble complex mesh pieces saves a significant amount of time. “When you factor in the human component, it saves us money. Our crew can do a lot more in the day. Before, a tank used to take us an hour and a half to put together. Now it’s only 45 minutes. We can do twice as many jobs in the same amount of time. Our whole production is more efficient. We pour the exact amount on our belt with the sand, and pour it in with the mixer.”
Perhaps most importantly for Dalmaray is that Helix® Micro Rebar™ reinforcement simplifies the process and engineering accuracy needed to build precast vessels. Rasmussen adds that “Helix Steel has a hands-off product with the numbers to back it up.”
Once You Go with Helix Steel’s Concrete Reinforcement, You Won’t Turn Back
Although some of Dalmaray’s larger tanks and lids still use standard mesh, all of the other products have converted to Helix Steel’s reinforcement solution – and have no plans of turning back.
“Our crews love it. It’s safer than rebar. And even our customers are well aware of the benefits and appreciate how Dalmaray is focused on quality products.”
Asked what would happen if they were forced to go back to mesh, Rasmussen laughs and says, “I don’t know how happy the guys would be to go back.”
Precast just makes sense with Helix Steel. For more information on Helix® Micro Rebar™ reinforcement, a better way to build with concrete, contact Helix Steel today.