Sill plate damage from water. Do I need to replace?

twilightcall · 06-04-2008, 08:08 PM

My home was built in 1949. There is a section of sill plate on the rear of the house that has some water damage. The house is a single story with crawlspace. The damaged area is about 2 feet long. That side of the house is 26 feet long. I am not sure exactly how long the sill plate is.
Everything on that section of the wall is straight. The door opens and closes fine. Windows open fine. Does this need to be replaced soon or is it ok? Can I just support the joist with a jack until I can replace it? Any info would be appreciated.

Ron6519 · 06-04-2008, 10:09 PM

It would help if you defined, "water damage" as you see it. A photo would be better.
Ron

twilightcall · 06-05-2008, 07:07 AM

I will get a picture. Water heater leaked on it.

Ron6519 · 06-05-2008, 08:47 AM

You might also have an issue with the rim joist as they are in contact with one another. The extent of the damage would dictate what you do.
Ron

**Termite** · 06-05-2008, 08:55 AM

If the water heater leaked on the sill plate and caused it to rot or significantly soften, then you have a problem.

But, if the water heater leaked on the sill plate and it was wet for a relativelty short time, you don't have water "damage" to the wood. Although moisture isn't good for anything in the house, the wood won't have much problem getting wet as long as it is allowed to expel that moisture by airing out.

If you find that your sill plate is rotten, you should replace it even if the house doesn't show structural symptoms. If there's a rim joist above the sill plate, it will likely span the damaged softened area for a long time without showing symptoms in the wall above.

To replace it, you'll just have to support the floor system and wall and cut out the old one. The siding/exterior sheathing is probably attached to it, so plan on doing some surgery to get it out.