Basement walls and infloor heating

ganther

Hello short easy question I hope. We have just purchased a house with unfinished basement, the basement has in floor heating. We will be finishing the basement, but are not sure how to join the sill/base plate to the concrete floor with out puncturing the pex pipe in the floor. Would construction adhesive be more than enough or would we still have to put anchor bolt or nail into the concrete.

We don't know where the pipes run in the concrete..

Any help would be great

Thanks

mae-ling

Yep PL premium Concrete! Don't use any nails, the pipes are supposed to be at a centain level some say, but what if one isn't? Guarenteed you will hit it.

joecaption

At least install pressure treated stand offs attached to the studs that touch the foundation so if it gets bumped it does not move.

woodworkbykirk

a combination of pl and what joe says work perfectly.. for partition walls that cant be blocked to the foundation wall just cut the studs really snug so the pressure pushing the plates to the floor and joists above will create enough friction so the glue sets up and holds the bottom plate

oh'mike

Yep---what everyone said----I've done it and it works well.

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old_squid

When using the PL, just make sure those walls are where you want them the first time. Once it sets the stuff will rip parts out of the wood if you try to move it.

jklingel

any wood in contact w/ concrete should have a capillary break between it and the concrete. you MAY get by w/ DryLoc, but a gasket of epdm is better. pressure treated wood will not rot, but it will wick water up to the wood that will, if water is around.

woodworkbykirk

if the slab has infloor heat in it. chances are theres plastic below the slab.. moisture should be a non issue. running plastic under your plate with the plastic already under teh slab will cause sweating which in turn will rot the wood.. just use pressure treated for the bottom plate

jklingel

If moisture is not going to be an issue, from where will the water come to cause condensation ("sweating")? I don't see it. It's all the same temp, so "no sweat".... a little funny there..... Yes?

woodworkbykirk

warm moisture laden air. if the slab is cold or if a venmar isnt in use condensation is a serious risk

jklingel

ok. i assumed the floor would be too warm for that. thanks.

tylernt

Is using cellular PVC or composite decking an option for partition wall sole plates?

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mae-ling

I don't know but great thought! PVC (Plastic) lumber

woodworkbykirk

if your prebuilding your wall before standing yes.. via using screws.. nailiung through it will more than likely cause it to shatter