Framing a shower – between concrete and bottom 2 X 4’s…
netrate
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
The c oncrete floor is about 50 years old + .
I took out the old rotted 2 X 4’s and now I am putting up a new frame around a shower. Unfortunately, I had heard there should be vapor barrier between the 2 X 4’s on the ground and the concrete. Is this right? What do I need if so? Someone said 6mm poly. Now that I have already laid and screwed in the 2 X 4’s to the cement, should I go and take it out and start again with the vapor barrier?
I have indicated in red where I am talking about.
Replies
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.