Replies

1. 
   DanH | Sep 03, 2013 07:50pm | #1

   Any wood in contact with concrete floors should be treated, at a minimum.  And some now advocate (and codes possibly require) a membrane between wood and concrete.

2. 
   calvin | Sep 03, 2013 07:51pm | #2

   dammit David

   I'm sure it was posted here to use TREATED lumber in contact with concrete.  And I know I suggested you read any of Taunton's fine publications on a custom built shower or at least go to Johnbridge.com and study.

   so,

   no-you shouldn't have those plates in contact with concrete.  And would 6mil poly be enough-no.

   Use treated lumber and be done with it.

3. 
   florida | Sep 03, 2013 09:32pm | #3

   Oh the school of hard knocks is now is session. No easy way out here, tear it all out and re-build with PT or borate treated lumber.

4. 
   calvin | Sep 03, 2013 09:48pm | #4

   david

   just about everything shrinks some time or another.

   If you read that here on advice to not use treated-it was wrong.

   Code violation here for a long long time to use anything but treated (or steel) in contact with concrete.

5. 
   DanH | Sep 03, 2013 10:41pm | #5

   I think what you read was to not use treated lumber for the studs -- just the bottom plate.  (I recall at the time thinking that statement risked being misinterpreted.)

6. 
   Mongo | Sep 04, 2013 10:25pm | #6

   PT can shrink

   "I thought I read not to use treated lumber on the concrete because it shrinks."

   If you read that PT will shrink, that is correct, brcause most PT is ridiculously wet. But you do need PT. If you have a real lumberyard nearby, call and see if they have kiln dried PT lumber. They typically don't carry it at the box stores, but lumberyards usually have it, at least around here in the northeast.