I want to frame out my unfinished basement walls. But here’s the problem: I have a waterproofing system installed along the perimeter of the walls. The piping probably extends 3-5 inches from the walls, just under the concrete surface.
How and where should I fasten my sole plate given that the waterproofing pipes are just below where the plate would normally be laid?
A contractor told me he would solve the problem by attaching the plate only to the baseboard. I find it hard to believe that that’s an acceptable solution. Is it?
A beginner looking for an answer…
Tony (tonejesspa)
Replies
Have him glue the treated plate down. Use PL Premium.
Matt- Woods favorite carpenter.
Thanks, Matt. I'll go with this.
Tony
Your contractor is probably right.
The primary purpose of a sole plate is to align the studs. In theory, it is entirely possible to install every stud without a sole plate and still meet every code requirement, but the labor involved would make it expensive and a huge waste of time, effort and money.
Sometimes situations dictate the the sole plate be sacrificed. The challenge then becomes; how do we get the studs to stay put until the board is glued and screwed/nailed. After that, those studs aren't going anywhere and the studs will do their primary job: stiffen and support the wall covering.
If you analyze the primary duties of each component, you can frame your question in a way that we can be helpful without seeing the exact situation.
What forces are you concerned with when you object to him using the baseboard?
FKA Blue (eyeddevil)
Thanks very much, Jim.
I was mainly concerned to meet code. And the resources I had consulted to this point had all instructed that the sole plate be attached to the concrete floor with nails/screws.
I was also a bit concerned about the idea of a whole wall/ceiling structure being unattached at its base, but obviously I haven't thought it through, piece by piece, as you suggest. If everything is square, etc., I guess the whole thing is self-supporting.
Tony
Your code might require a sole plate but that doesn't eliminate the possiblities of designing an alternate arrangement that satisfies the needs of the sole plate. You are working inside the structure of a basement so there really is not structural requirements attached to the sole plate. It's basically a stud alignment component and it is very useful for attaching base mold if you intend to nail it but it will nail very well to the studs too. Also, many people in basements use vinyl cove mold, which is glued on to the wall board. FKA Blue (eyeddevil)
Thanks to everyone for their very helpful suggestions.
Tony
Use metal stud track for the bottom plate. They can be fastened down with 5/8 Hilti pins.