Attaching new Sill Plate to foundation.
#1
08-25-05, 05:02 AM
Attaching new Sill Plate to foundation.
I just replaced a 6'6" length of my rotted 2x6 sill plate. I tied it in on the ends with a metal splice plate and a few nails. Is it necessary to attach it to the foundation somewhere along the 6'6" length? If so, what is the best way to do this? There isn't a whole lot of space to work. The old board was attached with nails into the block foundation.
#2
08-25-05, 05:30 AM
Masonry block foundation? That's what I'm assuming from your post.... it should be filled with morter/concrete, right?
If you've got room, drill into the masonry through the new sill plate and put a concrete anchor bolt down every 2 foot on the new plate... that should do you...
Barring room to work.... you could try a Remington "shooter"... Drives concrete nails into masonry with .22 caliber shot... Then again $40.00 for a tool you're use once might be a bit much.... You really should anchor that new plate..... somehow!
If you've got room, drill into the masonry through the new sill plate and put a concrete anchor bolt down every 2 foot on the new plate... that should do you...
Barring room to work.... you could try a Remington "shooter"... Drives concrete nails into masonry with .22 caliber shot... Then again $40.00 for a tool you're use once might be a bit much.... You really should anchor that new plate..... somehow!
#3
08-25-05, 06:36 AM
Member
Attaching new Sill Plate to foundation.
It sounds like your house is quite old or was built in a non-traditional way. You are just trying to make it better. Bringing the sill attachment up to code really does not make sense and may be impossible.
Most block foundations are hollow or partially grouted. You should attach the sill to resist wind loads. In the that length, 2 connections should be adequate. The best anchorage is an anchor bolt. You can go overboard with fancy methods, but why hold onw piece of sil down when the rest of the house could blow away.
If you have an open top to the wall. wad up some newspapers and stuff them in the cores to create an obstruction. Push it down so you embed a an anchor bolt into the wall 8" (16" is better if you can get the bolt in. Fill with prepackaged grout or sand mix. Don't forget the nut on the bolts (many carpenters do or they get lost).
If you have a 4" solid block you have, you can remove one block and do the same procedure. If you have a good ear, you can tap the block below the solid block to determine which cores are filled.
Short anchors or tapcons do little to keep a house in place, but they do make you feel better.
Dick
Most block foundations are hollow or partially grouted. You should attach the sill to resist wind loads. In the that length, 2 connections should be adequate. The best anchorage is an anchor bolt. You can go overboard with fancy methods, but why hold onw piece of sil down when the rest of the house could blow away.
If you have an open top to the wall. wad up some newspapers and stuff them in the cores to create an obstruction. Push it down so you embed a an anchor bolt into the wall 8" (16" is better if you can get the bolt in. Fill with prepackaged grout or sand mix. Don't forget the nut on the bolts (many carpenters do or they get lost).
If you have a 4" solid block you have, you can remove one block and do the same procedure. If you have a good ear, you can tap the block below the solid block to determine which cores are filled.
Short anchors or tapcons do little to keep a house in place, but they do make you feel better.
Dick
#4
08-25-05, 09:23 AM
The house was built in 1975. I have only 9.5" of room between the top of the sill plate and the subfloor (not much room for a drill, or a hammer). The 22 caliber power hammer sounds like a neat idea but its probably more than 9.5" long. If I could get it up there at an angle, and shoot in a 3" nail, would that hold the sill plate down sufficiently?
#5
08-25-05, 10:36 AM
I's hate to say absolutely positively "yes".... it depends on what the blocks are filled with.............. but would be worth a try in my opinion...
You're right... the Remington shooter is longer than 9.5inches.
You're right... the Remington shooter is longer than 9.5inches.
