Anchoring a stud wall to a block and brick stem wall
I am about to start construction on a 30×40 workshop. I live in a development with an HOA that insists the building must look like the house with a brick stem wall on three sides and a full brick front. The stem wall is made of 8″ block faced with brick that creates a wall just under 12″ thick. The outside surface of the 2×6 stud wall sits flush with the brick. This creates a problem of how to anchor a 2×6 stud wall to the masonry stem wall, because the anchor bolts are set in the block.
My current garage in the lower level of my house has a 2×12 pressure treated mud sill bolted into the 8″ block. The 2×6 stud wall sits on this 2×12 mud sill and appears to be nailed to the mud sill. Isn’t there a better way to attach the stud wall to the mud sill?
1. Could I use a wider lower plate on the 2×6 wall that will catch the bolts in the mud sill?
2. Could I use some metal straps that would nail to the bottom of the pressure treated mud sill and wrap around and go up the wall studs?
3. Some other solution?
Please Advise
Replies
I have a couple ideas.
First is a brick overlay that is not full courses of brick. Brick overlay should meet the visual with less depth.
Second is a thinner block wall. if you want the full thickness, why not couple the brick with 4 inch block?
How high does this stem wall need to be?
Third is to make the stud wall with a brick face. (or the overlay)
The stem wall is 5 blocks high, a 12" block sitting on a concrete footing. The top of the footing is 12" below grade. There will probably be several steps in the footing on one corner because the ground slopes down a small hill.
When you say is, is the stem wall already in place, or is this a design question?
What is driving such a thick wall assembly?
This is a design question. The house was build using 8" block, a 1" air space and Queen sized brick. The bottom line is the stud wall has to sit on the brick so the siding is flush with the brick.
What do the homeowners association rules say?
Are they about looks, or do they specify the constuction details?
I would really try to get the shop made with a stud wall, and make the brick facing of thinner, adhered to the walls as an exterior finish.
Does the brick have to match the house or a specified range of finishes?
Do your brick with a water table (sloped top, overhangs the course below).
Set the stud wall flush with the 8" CMU. Run your barrier down below the top (water table) course. You could do liquid-applied water/vaper barrier on the exterior face of the CMU down to the footing.
This will allow proper anchorage of the P/T wood sill to the top of the CMU.
Just a thought.
I can't use a water table above the brick because it won't match the house. On the house the vinyl siding is flush with the brick.
Got it.
The perhaps you should try to find a thinner brick for the veneer.
e.g. https://metrothinbrick.com/products/sizes-estimating/
Thank You everyone for all of your advice!
Everyone has been very helpful
You could use a wider lower plate on the 2x6 wall to catch the bolts in the mud sill, or consider using metal straps that nail to the bottom of the mud sill and wrap around the wall studs.
Another option could be to use anchor bolts that are longer and reach through the mud sill into the block. It's essential to ensure whatever method you choose provides secure anchoring and complies with building codes.
Thank You for your reply!