My 24’x24’ garage has 8’ 2x4 16” on center framed walls with a double 2x4 bottom plate bolted to the concrete slab. Time has taken its toll on the untreated lumber and it is rotted in places. I would like to replace the plate all the way around with new ground contact lumber.
The big thing I need to figure out is how to temporarily support the walls while I do the work. The good news is that everything is stout enough and there’s enough sections still intact that the wall hasn’t sunk, so no lifting will be required.
It’s not really practical to build a temporary wall under the eaves due to the way the ground is. If I build one inside under the ceiling joists I’m afraid that in order to give me room to work it will need to be too far back to be effective.
My plan right now is to take a 10’ long double 2x12 with double 2x12 support “legs” on each end and secure it to the face of the studs about a foot up with 5” GRK structural screws (2 per stud). That will give me access to the plate in between in 8’ sections for replacement. I’ve seen old garages that have been standing for 50 years with a double 2x12 header for a 16’ door on the load bearing wall, so I feel like this should be strong enough for temporary support with no snow load. But, it would be great if others could weigh in, especially if they’ve done something like this.
The big thing I need to figure out is how to temporarily support the walls while I do the work. The good news is that everything is stout enough and there’s enough sections still intact that the wall hasn’t sunk, so no lifting will be required.
It’s not really practical to build a temporary wall under the eaves due to the way the ground is. If I build one inside under the ceiling joists I’m afraid that in order to give me room to work it will need to be too far back to be effective.
My plan right now is to take a 10’ long double 2x12 with double 2x12 support “legs” on each end and secure it to the face of the studs about a foot up with 5” GRK structural screws (2 per stud). That will give me access to the plate in between in 8’ sections for replacement. I’ve seen old garages that have been standing for 50 years with a double 2x12 header for a 16’ door on the load bearing wall, so I feel like this should be strong enough for temporary support with no snow load. But, it would be great if others could weigh in, especially if they’ve done something like this.
