replacing baseboards

ionized

I am thinking that when new baseboards are installed that it would be a good idea to run a bead of caulk to the wall and to the floor. Is that correct?

thanks

joecaption

Why would you do that?
You install the base then just caulk any gaps when done.

ionized

I thought that the baseboard-wall-floor should be as airtight as possible.

joecaption

Little late now if the sheetrocks already up.
Air sealing is done between the sheetrock and the bottom plate.
It's not going to do any harm to do what you suggest, just little good and more mess and expance.

ionized

Thanks

There is no sheetrock per se. We have rock lath/plaster and it does not go to the floor. The baseboards are off as a consequence of replacing the floors. In some cases the subfloors are being replaced.

The house is over an open crawlspace. There are lots and lots of gaps to close. We will most likely spray foam the underside of the house, but there is lots of plumbing and electrical work to be fixed first. I need to plug a lot of holes with temporary fixes in the meantime.

joecaption

Has anyone fire blocked the top and bottoms of these walls?

ionized

Fireblock? I don't know what that means. Does the answer dictate whether I should caulk behind the baseboards?

Windows on Wash

I would seal all the gaps in the wall at the subfloor level as well.

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