[Robertheard]

I basically allmost finished my basement using 2x4 studs for the walls. My concern is that I just read that the basement walls should be built as "FLOATING WALLS" about 3/4 inch of space between the wall and the joist. I was wondering if this is true and if so how concerned should I be. I basically built the wall on a pressure sill plate to the above floor joist semi snug.
Thank you for any info
Hopefully it is good news.
Rob

[Robertheard]

Have a question on floating walls.
I live in a 1950's house , I recently started finishing in my basement. I was reading about floating walls in the basement in case the cement slab shifts upward.
A LITTLE BACK GROUND. I l'm loacted in Pa, right outside of philadelphia I lived in this house for 30 years and never had water in the basement except for the occasionally overflow of the washtub and a broken water heater.I used to have the basement walls nailed to the cinderblock with fering strips. (never had any problems,I recently redid everything making my wall out of 2x4 and sitting away from the block about 2". I have the entire basemnt tiled with 12x12 ceramic tile and never a problem. I have the walls secured to the floor and the above floor joist.When I read about the floating wall's I wasn't sure if I should be worried about this. Any one out there have any Helpful info.To tell you the truth I never heard about floating wall before.
Thank You
Rob

[435Studio]

The experts can chime in, but I believe that some local codes may require a floating wall, other don't. If you haven't seen movement in your basement floor, or foundation you are probably OK, unless there is a code requirement. Did you pull a permit for this work? If so, check with the local building inspector...

I build my walls on the floor and then stood them up, so there is a gap at the top. In some places the gap is very small and other it is larger due to slight slope in the floor for drainage.

[hkstroud]

Never heard of such a thing. Its not going to freeze, unless you are north of the Arctic Circle. I don't think hydrostatic water pressure is going to push the floor up unless the entire house is floating away.

[21boat]

.When I read about the floating wall's

I'm a Contractor in Pa ( 30 years ) and never heard about a floating wall. What's next a floating house. How about tectonic plates and we are all floating

I'm going to goggle this one up...
What is a Floating Wall?

Floating walls are walls that are constructed to shift slightly when the floor or ceiling within the space expands or contracts. While looking like any other type of wall, a floating wall is outfitted with plates along the bottom of the framing. The plates make it possible for the structure to move slightly up or down in order to accommodate contractions or expansions without creating any cracks in the surfacing of the wall itself. A wall of this type is often used in basements or other spaces where a concrete slab is used for the flooring.

Sorry what a bunch of Whatevers,, This kills me

The plates make it possible for the structure to move slightly up or down in order to accommodate contractions or expansions without creating any cracks in the surfacing of the wall itself. A wall of this type is often used in basements or other spaces where a concrete slab is used for the

Maybe I'm missing something here. Who would build a wall without a plate and toe nail in the Crete??

As an old GC. I feel the information highway is out there at times. To many people read things and of course we all want to be perfect at everything and that's the salesman's pitch.

Just when I thought I heard it all in the basics in constructions. Of course the site is called "WiseGeek"

[B]In all situations, the floating wall is never a load bearing wall. Rather, its function is normally to adequately enclose an area of the space for aesthetic purposes[/B]

Not true whats so ever. Lets use some common sense here. Do you think a 4" basement floor thats stays relatively the same temp "Lifts", Not to mention how could it be strong enough to lift a house and joist?

I think Wisegeek better go back to basic science of weights/forces/shear/ Etc...

My question is did you insulate the wall and how was that done. Here's the proper way to insulate a basement and its correct.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jSuW...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNE1QQreOkA

[Robertheard]

No I didn'r insulate the walls left a 1.5 inch between the stud and the 2x4 and the rest is air space ,never rally gets too cold in m basement . Thought the air space would keep even airrated.
Rob

[creahands]

Hey 21boat

I agree with u. This is nonsense.

The way I have seen a floating wall is with 2 bottom plates.

First plate nail to concrete. Second plate nailed to first plate with 16d nails and a 1/4'' space between plates.

Chuck

[21boat]

Roberthread. I would be concerned with the moisture being trapped behind the new wall if there isn't any dry lock paint on the block wall. All concrete or block walls give off moisture inside a basement with out anything for a vapor barrier on the actual basement wall.

Even though there may have been no problems before with the basement wall being exposed into the room, and the room was handling it now its trapped to breath like it did.

[Robertheard]

Roberthread. I would be concerned with the moisture being trapped behind the new wall if there isn't any dry lock paint on the block wall. All concrete or block walls give off moisture inside a basement with out anything for a vapor barrier on the actual basement wall.

Even though there may have been no problems before with the basement wall being exposed into the room, and the room was handling it now its trapped to breath like it did.

The reasone I left the walls bare is because that was the way the were when I decided to renovate the basement and everything seemed fine. Thought why mess with something that worked for 15 years. The other thing is I think the basement walls were sealed from the outside all this black tarry stuff on the walls.Can only hope for the best now have them all spackeled. Also I have 12 inch deep cinderblock if that matters.
Thank You for your input
Rob
Can only hope for the best now