[walker8]

I have water damage in my basement (block foundation). I am in the process of getting it fixed, but wanted to remove some of the rotten wood due to mold and smell. What would be the process for removing and replacing the bottom plate and studs where water has damaged them? Please keep in mind I have very little DIY experience.
Another big issue is the old home owner did not place a barrier between the concrete and wood. If I were to place a vapour barrier between the floor and bottom plate, how high up would a place this?
Thanks

[ma0641]

A lot depends on whether it is a bearing or non bearing wall. In a non bearing wall you can just cut the studs off, rip up the sole plate and rebuild the wall. Use only pressure treated wood for the plate. If it is a bearing wall, you need to build a temporary support wall to hold up the structure above. When the temporary wall is in, you would then tear out the old wall in the same way as a non bearing wall and rebuild. You can't patch a stud, replace it. Vapor barriers go on the wall and / or ceiling, not on the floor under a plate, that's why you use PT wood. You would use a vapor barrier on a floor if you were installing a wood floor in a basement. Good luck on your DIY project!