I’m starting to renovate my split-entry raised ranch in NH that was built in 1968.
The house has a poured foundation with knee high walls on 3 perimeter sides. In the garage the walls are unfinished, and you can see a double mudsill (2×6 mudsill + 2×4 sole plate) that’s not ancored to the foundation. It was shimmed level every 32 to 48 inches and now almost 50 years later the plates have sunken/bowed between where they were shimmed. I’m talking deviations 1/4″ to 5/8″ from level.
Would you guys shim these back to level under the mudsill or the sole plate? Then stuff mortar between the foundation and mudsill to offer continuous support?
Or just leave it alone?
Thanks in advance.
Replies
I leave anything alone that is not causing a problem.
photos?
I've attached two photos to the original post
I'm not seeing the photos.
Not anchored to the foundation????
Based on what you've told us, there are at least two issues you have to worry about...the bowed plates and the plates not being attached to the foundation walls.
If you are able to get access to the top of these plate, I would:
1. Shim the plates and force in non-shrink grout.
2. Drill the plates and the foundation walls from above. Install wedge anchors and bolt the plates down to the foundation. You could use epoxy type anchors or expansion bolts or drop-in type anchors as well...we prefer the Red Head wedge anchors.. You should run it by an engineer that works in your area....here in the NW, we have to do this all the time to bring older houses up to code for earthquakes..
I'd use Titen anchors. Best specs and easiest to install.
https://www.strongtie.com/mechanicalanchors_mechanicalanchoringproducts/thd_anchor/p/titen-hd
Thank you everyone for all the feedback. I've attached two photos to my original post.
Do you stuff the non-shrink mortar right against the mudsill or do you fit some felt paper/membrane to the underside of the sill first?
the pictures are hopefully attached to this comment