Raising an exterior wall on a second story can be awkward. Here are two tips to make this operation safer. Nail 12-in. 2x4s every 4 ft. to the outside edge of the platform where the wall is to be placed, leaving about 4 in. of this block sticking above the platform. When you raise the wall, the stops will prevent the bottom plate from sliding off the subfloor.
To eliminate frantic bracing after the wall has been raised, nail braces near the top of each end of the wall with only one nail per brace. If the wall is on an exterior corner, drive a nail into the joist or blocking about 3 ft. from the corner, as shown in the drawing. Then when the wall is raised, the brace will swing freely and come to rest on the nail, where it can be attached quickly as a temporary support.
—Don Dunkley, Sacramento, CA
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #11
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View Comments
This method of raising walls creates a lot more problems than is necessary. The blocks that are nailed to the outside of the platform are in the way if you sheath the wall before raising it.
The bottom plate of the wall can be toe nailed on the chalk line as a way of holding it down to the floor when standing it up.
Don't forget to lay out for trusses or joists before it's up and avoid ladders, or walking the wall.