[sm424]

Hey everyone! I decided that I want to put up a small wall in my basement separating the boiler room from a nearby bathroom. My problem is that there are several pipes and wires that are hanging below the floor joists. My question is what would be the best wall framing method to get around the pipes? Do I cut out sections in the top plate? do I build a shorter wall and then brace the top plate to the floor joists? I'm kinda lost on what's the proper way to go about this... Thanks in advance!

 

[joecaption]

Got a picture?

 

[oh'mike]

Typically a plate or stack of plate is nailed to the floor joists to achieve a nailing surface below the pipes--then the wall is built and placed under to attachment plates.

 

[danpik]

You may need to move some of the pipes and wires up into the joist bays.

 

[sm424]

Typically a plate or stack of plate is nailed to the floor joists to achieve a nailing surface below the pipes--then the wall is built and placed under to attachment plates.

I like that idea. I'll get some pictures later. I was also wondering if I can take down the 2x3 wall that's right now sitting in front of the supporting basement wall. Would that 2x3 wall aid the supporting wall? Sounds like a stupid question, but I don't want to compromise anything structural. I'll get a pic of that too so you guys can better see.

 

[oh'mike]

It is rare to find a suppurting stud wall in a basement---especially 2x3---post those pictures if you can---one of us will offer some suggestions--Mike---

 

[firehawkmph]

SM,
If you are going to use a drop ceiling when you are done, just build the wall as if the pipe wasn't there. Make sure the pipe falls between two studs. Once it's built, cut out the top plate between the two studs that the pipe will fall between. Lay a scrap of 2 x 4 under the pipe where the wall will go and measure from the top of the scrap to the bottom of the pipe. Deduct an inch and that will be the height of the top of your plate you cut out. Go ahead and renail it back in between the two studs and stand the wall up. I usually build the walls 1/2" - 3/4" short to make them easy to stand up. Then use plywood scraps to shim between the top plate and the joists above.
Mike Hawkins

 

[sm424]

Ok here are some shots. I already removed the door leading into this boiler room/ hallway to the basement bathroom. You can see the girder behind the 2x3 wall. I'm not sure why this 2x3 wall was put up, but I'd like to take it down if it serves no structural role in supporting the floor joists above. Thanks for the help!

 

[epson]

Looks like a boxed in beam and column.

 

[sm424]

Looks like a boxed in beam and column.

I understand that, but I'm talking about the 2x3 wall in front of it. Can I tear down that wall? And out of curiosity can anyone explain why that 2x3 wall might have been put up if there is another wall behind it?

 

[fltdek]

You may need to move some of the pipes and wires up into the joist bays.

You must be from the Finger Lakes Region??


Our thoughts and prayers for our fellow Webster Firefighters, friends and family!

 

[sm424]

Can anyone else confirm whether or not I can take down what appears to be a 2x3 partition wall in front of the supporting wall? Thanks!

 

[oh'mike]

What's behind that? I think I see floor joists resting on the wall or beam right behind that 2x3 partition---I beklieve that thee 2x3 was simply there to hide wires---

 

[sm424]

What's behind that? I think I see floor joists resting on the wall or beam right behind that 2x3 partition---I beklieve that thee 2x3 was simply there to hide wires---

Yes the wall behind it is definitely a supporting wall. I'm just wondering if this 2x3 wall serves any significant purpose? If it doesn't, I'd like to remove it and sheet rock continuously into that half of the basement. I removed the door that used to section off the rest of the basement from this boiler room with the 2x3 wall.