Replies

1. 
   Redfly | Jul 24, 2002 07:42pm | #1

   Round these parts we usually use cedar shims for most purposes. I will sometimes smooge a little construction adhesive on them before inserting, just to make sure they stay in place. If you are trying to force the sill up under heavy load, cedar will probably not work, you may have to use plastic shims, which they sell @ HDepot. I've read posts recommending metal shims, but I've never seen them.

   If the area is large, you could pack it with non-shrinking grout, (mix it first).

2. 
   vasalesman | Jul 24, 2002 10:07pm | #2

   A big consideration is how large an area & how much loading.  It's not hard to imagine wood shims crushing under a concentrated load.  Think how wooden floors in stores or malls look after a few years of women's heels hitting them.  Plastic shims are pretty tough but again long term crushing would concern me.  Steel is best but more costly.  Any steel fabricator should have them as they get used for shimming I-beams.  Your post isn't clear if this is on an existing building or not.  The best solution requires continuous bearing under the plate.  That obviously can't be done, at least very well, on an existing building but would be the right approach if nothing beyond the bottom plate has gone in yet.

   Al