Can I fill in the extra large gap (1/4 to 3/4″) the builder left between the base of the hardi plank and the slab? Apparently the wall studs weren’t lined up very well with the sill board and so they kicked out the sheathing. Also, I think the sheathing wasn’t brought to the bottom of the studs. And so the huge gap. Mice have been running up into the walls and leave a little pile of insulation outside where they enter. Fire ants have been nesting in the walls as well and I’m concerned about all the dirt they are undoubtedly carrying into the walls and onto the sill board. I was thinking of using brass wool, backer rod an elastomeric caulk but was worried that maybe some sort of weep or ventilation gap is required. I live in Houston and the problem I’m worried about would be possible condensation on the sheathing during the summer months when the AC is on and the humidity is 100%.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
A high-performance single-family home builder shares tips from his early experience with two apartment buildings.
Featured Video
Highlights
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
The gap is not necessary, just sloppy. I'd be stuffing mortar in it. Better yet, dunk hunks of fiberglas batting in catalyzed resin and fill the gap; it'll stick better than mortar.
Sounds good. The mice and ants will be much less likely to chew through that. Thanks.
The resin with catalyzer is a lot cheaper than two-part (equal parts) epoxy. When i worked in a factory making burl tables, the tops were attached to the bases with globs of resinized fiberglass batting. It got spray painted black instead of pink...looked just like bark.