Remodel question concerning where concrete meets siding

[davidfite1978]

I haven't started on my remodel yet, but I have a general question that I can't seem to find the exact answer to on google.

My shop has 2 sections, main section is concrete slab, with an add-on section in back with concrete foundation walls. There is a gradual slope in the yard, so that on the front side, the concrete slab is about dead even with the ground. In the back, where the block foundation is, the floor is probably 2 feet up.

So my question is this. When I remodel I'm going to tear down to the studs. I planned on putting up sheathing, then housewrap, then 4x8 smartside panels. At the bottom, where the sheathing meets the concrete slab (and the ground), what's the proper way to construct it? Do I put some kind of vapor barrier down so the ground doesn't touch the sheathing? Can the sheathing touch the slab? I just need a general diagram of what you would normally do when doing this kind of project.

 

[borgdog]

The sheathing touches the ground? That would be bad. It's OK for it to overlap the concrete a bit, but if the ground goes higher than the foundation wall you need a higher foundation or a retaining wall. Ground should be at least 6-8 inches below sheathing in my world.

 

[davidfite1978]

It's really just the front wall where the slab and ground are the same level. Once you turn either corner, it drops down to 6-8 inches quickly. I plan on putting gravel down all in front of that wall anyway, so I guess I will try and grade it down at least a few inches so it's not touching. So generally speaking, should I do it like I drew in the attached diagram?
View media item 39382

 

[astroracer]

Put a rat wall at the bottom of your studs. Use pressure treated 1 x 8's (or whatever will match your sheathing thickness). Put a drip channel on top of the rat wall for the sheathing to sit/seal on and caulk the pyss out of it. Throw the siding on as usual.
Mark

 

[Richard Cranium]

any lumber that touches the concrete should be pressure treated. As for siding you can let you vapor barrier hang just lower then the siding or use tar paper for roofing instead of the vapor barrier. Or your siding will rot away....

 

[robertlynk]

here is what smart panel says
http://www.lpcorp.com/Resources/Lit...ns_Panel_Installation_Instructions_-_English/

 

[davidfite1978]

Thanks for the advice guys. I am hoping to start buying materials in the next week or two. Gonna probably do the roof first, then tackle the siding.