How to Attach a Furring Strip to Dry Foundation Walls
A furring strip, at its most basic level, is a thin strip of wood or metal that provides a level surface where the base is not solid enough to hold a nail. Attaching a furring strip to a dry foundation wall is a step in the process of insulating your walls which can help moderate your room temperature, save on your energy costs and help you manage possible moisture or condensation problems. Moreover, it is also a time-saving and effective tool for preventing insect infestation.
Attaching a furring strip to dry foundation walls is only a moderately difficult task and by using the tools and equipment below, you can go about the project with little difficulty.
Step 1: Finalize your Design
Before the application of furring strips, see to it that you check the moisture level in the room so as to be sure that too much dampness is not present. Then clean your wall and get rid of any scrap plaster or loose leftovers using a dry cloth or by hand (wearing hand gloves). Once this has been done, proceed with the project by finalizing the design of your drywall as that will affect the positioning of furring strips. If the drywall is installed horizontally then the furring strips will be placed similarly and vice versa.
Step 2: Draw Chalk Lines
Once the design has been finalized, draw vertical chalk lines every 16 or 24 inches (from the center of the wall) using a level to assure that the lines are solid and sound.
Step 3: Check for Irregularity
Use a 4-foot spirit level perpendicular to the chalk lines drawn, so as to locate any irregularities, gaps, or lumps in the wall. If you find any, mark them with chalk or pencil. Thin shims can be inserted into these spots.
Step 4: Prepare and Attach the Furring Strip
In order to prepare the furring strips so that fasteners can be accommodated, drill the strips every 16 inches using a power drill. Holding it up to the chalk lines you drew in Step 2, check for their soundness and poke the holes you drilled so as to mark the places where the fasteners will be positioned. Then, drill the wall for your fasteners and install anchor shields (if required by your fastening system).
Once this preparation is complete, apply construction adhesive at the backside of the strip and place it using the drawn chalk lines for guidance. After placement, use fasteners to attach both ends of the strip to the foundation wall and repeat the same procedure for each strip to be attached.
Step 5: Check the Placement of Furring Strips
Again using a 4-foot spirit level, check your furring strips and see to it that they formulate a smooth surface, lacking any irregularity. If you find any bulges, the recommended way to fix them is to place shims behind the attached furring strips to give the wall a proper shape.
