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    tafiore's Avatar
    tafiore Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 29, 2009, 06:10 PM
    Replacing sill plate
    I asked this question earlier about a rotted sill plate and if it could be replaced I thank everyone for the responses I found the source of the rot the roof was leaking it has been repaired this is not a bearing wall if I just leave it what will happen there is no weight on the wall any responses would be greatly appreciated
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #2

    Jun 29, 2009, 07:31 PM

    First do not start a new post about a previously posted question or problem. Readers need all of the background.

    If this is not a load bearing wall, the source of the water that created the damage has been corrected and the bottom plate is solid enough to keep the wall from moving, just leave it alone.

    If you are not comfortable with the condition of the bottom plate remove it by cutting the nails of the studs with a sawsall. Obviously the drywall on at least one side must have been removed for you to inspect. The drywall and baseboard on the other side will have to be removed. About 6" on the other side should do it. If you would like, you can remove the baseboard and cut the drywall just below the top of the baseboard and try to save yourself some drywall finishing. You may however find this too confining to remove the plate.

    If you find that the cutting of the stud nails left you with too much space between the stud and the new plate to toe nail the studs, cut a 2x4 nailer to fit between every other stud. Nail this to the plate and then nail the studs to the nailer.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #3

    Jun 29, 2009, 07:36 PM

    Wait a minute. I went back to your other post and in that post you said that this was an outside wall. In this post you said that it is not a load bearing wall. Most, if not all, outside walls are load bearing.
    tafiore's Avatar
    tafiore Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jun 29, 2009, 09:49 PM

    Sorry about reposting I have never done this before it is an outside wall the beams on the wall can be moved so that is why I think it is not weight bearing the wall is in an extension on the house and all the rafters run parallel to the outside wall it doesn't seem to be holding a lot of weight I really want to thank you for the quick response I think that it is OK but I just wanted to know if anyone else has had this kind of problem thank you again
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #5

    Jun 29, 2009, 10:00 PM

    Beams, what beams if the ceiling joist are parallel to this wall? What's above, a flat roof? What's the exterior?
    tafiore's Avatar
    tafiore Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Jun 30, 2009, 06:53 PM

    The beams are the studs holding up the sheetrock the outside wall is planks the room was built in the early 1940s there is vinyl siding on the outside there is a 4 in. molding along the bottom of the wall then an oak floor was laid while trying to get the molding off I noticed the outside wall moving I really don't know a lot about this so I may not be explaining this right I thank you again for all your responses
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #7

    Jul 1, 2009, 05:17 AM

    OK. You have an exterior wall with significant rot.

    Go out side, remove the siding. Start about 3 foot up from the bottom. There is a little hook tool you can get at home centers that hooks under neath the bottom edge of a piece of siding. Slide this tool up underneath the bottom of a piece of siding. When you have hooked the edge, pull down and out to separate the two pieces of siding. Pull nails from bottom piece of siding and start removing siding, working down.

    After removing the siding remove the boards or whatever is underneath. Examine the extend of damage.

    Cut out rotted sill plate. Depending on length of wall, work with 1/3 to 1/2 half of wall at a time. Cut out decayed portions of studs. You will probably damage drywall inside. Replace what stud you cut out by nailing to side of existing stud up where it is solid and toe nail in to plate. Then fill in between the end of existing stud and the sill plate with an additional piece of studding material. That way wood will be resting on wood and you won't be depending on nails to carry the weight.

    One way to get the weight of the wall back on the studs would be to cut the piece of stud you are going to nail to the side of the existing and the piece that you are going to put between the existing stud and the sill plate. Cut the one that goes underneath the existing stud about 1/4 long. Nail these together, flush at on end. Put these in place at a slight angle to one side. Drive it in place from the bottom. This will put an upward pressure on what remains of the existing stud above.

    Please use a few periods and capital letters in your postings. I have trouble figuring out where you sentences start and end.
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    tafiore Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Jul 2, 2009, 06:57 AM

    Thank you Harold. I appreciate the time you took to answer my question I will try your suggestion. Sorry about the postings I am not a very good writer, Again thank you for all your help.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #9

    Jul 2, 2009, 05:11 PM

    Aah, much better.

    How long is this wall. Post a few pictures and let us know when you start. Its going to be more than a Saturday morning task but you can do it. You have an old house, you need the experience. Tools you are gong to need, hammer, nails, deck screw, screw gun, level, saw, sawsall (recripicating saw). If you want to make life easier, pick up a palm nailer. I just got a Rigid from HD for $80. Great tool for nailing in tight places. You are going to be doing a lot of that.
    tafiore's Avatar
    tafiore Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Jul 2, 2009, 05:56 PM

    This is actually my girlfriends house so I'll have to get back to you on the length. I think about 30 ft. Also have to get some pics probably post them by Monday. If nothing else at least I'm learning how to post questions. Thank you so much for your patience and all the help. My name is Thomas.

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