Fastener Choices for Attaching 2×4 to Concrete First, you must choose the preferred fastener. Now that you understand the importance of preparing for moisture control, let’s look at the various options for attaching 2×4 bottom plates to concrete floors. These options will protect the bottom plate from moisture damage that can cause rot and health issues. Best practice, however, is to use both the sill gasket and treated lumber as a bottom plate.Īlthough the sill gasket helps to prevent moisture from seeping in, standing water next to the bottom plate could still result in damage if non-treated lumber is used.
Some builders say that you can use a sill gasket in conjunction with a regular, non-pressure treated pine or fir bottom plates. This will protect the bottom plate from moisture damage that can compromise the integrity of the wall.Īnother option is to use a barrier, such as a sill gasket (link to Amazon).Ī sill gasket is a foam strip used to seal against air leakage, moisture, and insect intrusion in many applications. I chose to have this done in my new home. One option is to use pressure-treated 2×4 lumber made for damp areas as a bottom plate, in conjunction with properly coated fasteners, such as hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel, in contact with treated lumber. Options for Bottom Plate Moisture Protection You can also apply a moisture barrier coating, such as HydroHalt (link to Home Depot), to help seal the space. Simply removing sources of interior moisture with adequate ventilation and dehumidifiers can help. While these problems may require major renovation work, such as foundation repair or correcting inadequate gutter and drainage systems, some simple fixes can lessen the affects of moisture damage. Condensed humid air from outside sources.Moisture from normal interior sources, such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, and cooking.Water penetration from rain or ground-water.There are 3 main sources of water in a basement ( source): This can lead to health problems and larger repair work down the road.īasements are notorious for excess moisture. If you are working on a concrete foundation slab at ground level, protecting against moisture damage is the first line of defense.Įspecially if you are remodeling a basement, moisture problems can lead to serious rot damage on the newly added walls, as well as cause mold and mildew. Important Preparation for Moisture ControlĪny concrete surface can accumulate excess moisture, as water condenses on its cool surface. This guide will discuss important preparation to control for potential moisture damage, as well as cover the many options available for fastening the bottom plate to the concrete floor. My wife and I built those walls so I’ve been down this road before! The main image from this article is a garage add-on from a previous home.
In addition, care should be taken to make sure moisture cannot penetrate the wood and cause damage. No matter the reason, attaching a 2×4 bottom plate to the concrete requires special tools and fasteners. I’ve had to do this many times over the years and there are a number of ways to do it.Īttaching the bottom plate of a wall to a concrete floor can be done using any of the following methods: If you are planning a remodel to a basement or garage on a slab, you will need to secure the bottom plate of the walls to the concrete.