New construction. Studs/nailers floating from sill at top to plate at bottom. No air space, no vapor retarder behind. The bottom plate board is PT, at least, but I don’t like this. I’m envisioning condensation in there with the wood, behind the drywall or paneling. Am I just overthinking this? Should I just ignore it and count on the likely fact that this isn’t going to show up as a problem for a long time? Or am I dead wrong and this is THE way to prep a finished basement?
Generaly a non-issue until the basement gets “finished”.
Note: the technique will vary with house construction conditions not disclosed, and from region to region, so best to refer to only those experts in your local climatic zone, as the wrong method will create a nightmare condition!
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it’s not uncommon, not the way I would like to see it done but it,s the way they get everything to line up…
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They are furring strips. Not the best way to attach an interior wall. Often used to staple paneling to. May not actually create a flat wall. My basement the rear wall studs are 6" from the concrete just to make flat square end wall.(40 feet long).
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I don’t think it matters, but these are 2x4s, not strips.
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Hey Tom, Being that it’s new construction, the walls should be insulated unless there is a garage on the other side. So IMO you’re right.
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You do not want a moisture barrier in that location, that would trap moisture.
Basement walls dry to the inside. If there is no insulation on the outside, it would have been wise to insulate with an XPS board.
This link might be useful to you.
https://buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd-103-understanding-basements
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I should also have mentioned the it looks like the form ties have not been sealed, and that is a common leakage area if the outside of the foundation is not properly sealed or waterproofed.
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should they use pressure treated wood?
They did on the bottom wood that is against the floor. IMO this is a dumb way to finish a basement. Turn the 2x4"s 90° and give up the extra 2" of room on each wall. Installing the switch and outlet boxes and running electrical lines with the flat studs sucks.
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Based on Marcel’s statement, which is true, and considering mold growth, studding directly against the foundation creates a Petrie dish every 16 inches. Wise construction practices allows at least a one inch gap between the framing and the foundation to allow air movement.
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If they are touching at all, they should be pressure treated…
Daniel, is that a building code requirement?
I see electricians using standard plywood for basement electrical panels nailed directly to the wall.
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What Marcel said and the link, plus the additional links in the article, are spot on. Every inspector should read and understand these articles. Basement wall insulation and moisture control is a complicated and critical system to understand. Many basements are built with a lack of understanding of these issues. At the same time, often the inspector cannot see or confirm if the insulation and moisture control mechanisms are properly built or if less than desirable systems are working or not.
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Looking at all the different ways I see basements finished here in basement-loving Ohio, it seems complicated, for sure, Michael. Although it’s nice to be reminded of the simple principle that basement walls dry to the interior. Thanks for that, Marcel, and for the article and for mentioning the form ties. Always training.
Robert - I agree about it being a dumb way to finish a wall; this basement is plenty big enough to afford the space “lost”. And I’ve seen plenty of multi-colored untreated ply behind service panels (nice greens and blacks and fuzzy white), even when stand-offs were used.
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Avoid ‘direct contact’ of a wood wall assembly with concrete.
In my area, I would call that out and this why: Plywood will wick moisture from the concrete and deteriorate. It is prone to termites.
very common here,
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But is it required by the building code to be pressure treated?
Yes as per IRC 317.1 Protection of wood and wood-based products against decay. Of course that would also depend if the local AHJ made a dumb amendment change to this allowing it.
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