Sill Plate Submerged, wait for spring to dig it out?

J&M enterprises

We are buying a house that we know needs the sill plate repaired, probably replaced. It is buried under concrete (we have no idea what the people could have been thinking). We live in the pacific NW (rain- lots) and are wondering if this is a project we should tackle in Dec, or wait for spring?
We were told to dig it out immediately, so as to stop further rot from occurring. If we break up the concrete they poured around the entire perimeter, do we risk causing more damage if we can't make repairs for several months when stops raining?

Just Bill

As the sil plate rots, the house will sag. If it is uniform(not likely) no damage. But expect drywall/plaster damage, at least.

valueremodeling

Is the sill plate in cased in the concrete? if it is, wait until the springtime. However, if you can visibility access it from under the home from a crawl space or basement you need to check it out first. Replacing the sill plate is not an easy job and should be done by a qualified contractor who knows what they are doing. This will minimize additional damages. Depending on the damage, the entire house may need to be lifted with jacks.

Gary in WA

A picture would help....

If lap siding is above it, slide metal flashing under the lowest one to divert the water away from the joint below. Caulk the siding/concrete joint now before adding flashing to wait and repair later. If access will be from exterior later, cut a 2" slot in the panel siding to add flashing. Concrete removed would leave exposed earth that could easily become saturated with water to leak into basement. The concrete should be pitched, sloped to drain the water from the sided wall. Perhaps just roof tar caulking in the siding/concrete joint for now, if being replaced or accessed later...

To wait, or not to wait...... I receive average of 38" rain, most in winter: http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...0DbmyfdOONf-LQ

Gary

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