Sealing under sill plate (after construction)

[Croy9000]

I live in the southeast and recently had my new 22x20 detached garage completed by a company. After completion I realized they had not put anything between the PT sill plate and concrete pad, like a foam pad. I am already noticing bugs crawling in in gaps here and there. What product and method of sealing that would you recommend? Spray foam? Caulk?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Jazz1]

I used the foam seal under my PT sill plate and i still get those bugs crawling in. I think I would have to run a bead of silicone or some such goop along sill plate on exterior of garage. Its in the planning stages,,,20 years now.

 

[Marctrees]

???

Loosen anchor nuts, pry up 1/4".. insert 1/4" ply shims every other stud working around perimeter... Once all lifted.. install tour choice Sill foam sheet, caulk, ? etc...

Remove shims, re tighten anchors.

Jack only under stud locations, use NARROW like 1/2" wide ply shims to be less in the way of caulking.

Toughest part will be the beginning of the 1/4" lift..getting a bar in.. rest should go easy.

Some may be scary of this idea... I think it would go quick once started.

A Johnson Bar would speed it up once started.

2-3 Guys... at LEAST two... Pre plan and stage everything.

Marc

 

[nadogail]

A 4 pound hammer will drive a "Wonder Bar" under the sill plate to get that initial purchase to lift the sill plate.

 

[Marctrees]

I think my idea is fine.. only concerned about any complications around door openings ?

Maybe prudent to make witness lines on slab w Sharpie to make darn sure sill everywhere falls back in ORIGINAL exact place.

But really, w numerous anchor bolts it will.

Marc

 

[Croy9000]

@Marctrees I had that same idea and dismissed it as one of my crazy ideas. Now that you describe it, it doesn't sounds so crazy and wish I could still pursue it. Unfortunately its too late since I already have wall coverings on and cant get to the anchor nuts. Grrrrr.

 

[scottydosnntkno]

???

Loosen anchor nuts, pry up 1/4".. insert 1/4" ply shims every other stud working around perimeter... Once all lifted.. install tour choice Sill foam sheet, caulk, ? etc...

Remove shims, re tighten anchors.

Jack only under stud locations, use NARROW like 1/2" wide ply shims to be less in the way of caulking.

Toughest part will be the beginning of the 1/4" lift..getting a bar in.. rest should go easy.

Some may be scary of this idea... I think it would go quick once started.

A Johnson Bar would speed it up once started.

2-3 Guys... at LEAST two... Pre plan and stage everything.

Marc

This is terrible advice.

Do NOT turn your sill plate with studs bearing every 16” across a ~3” width accounting for the sill plate flex to only bear on a 1/2” wide plywood shim. Caulk even when dry is not weight bearing.

Or, if your meaning to put in the shims, caulk, then remove the shins, that’s a lot of work whereas you could just caulk the outside of the sill(or the inside if the outsides covered) and achieve the same thing in about 30mins of work.

 

[Marctrees]

"Jack only under stud locations, use NARROW like 1/2" wide ply shims to be less in the way of caulking."

I will edit that to.. "Jack only close to studs, place shim under stud..........yadayada..

REMOVE shims and re tighten anchors before beer/ bedtime"


Scotty - Are you thinking I meant to LEAVE the shims permanently ?



They are only temp there so a caulk nozzle can get in deeper.

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

And I mean... but thought it Captain Obvious...

The shims would be 3 - 3 1/2" front to back for full support, but only 1/2" or so wide to not interrupt caulk bead more than needed.

Figured I did not need to fully spell it out... thought it was more than wordy as it was.



Marc

 

[Kevin54]

Caulk it and call it a day. If you notice bugs, use some spray around the perimeter.

 

[ItsNemo]

Caulk it and call it a day. If you notice bugs, use some spray around the perimeter.

This. A bead of outdoor caulking on the outside if possible will solve your problems. Plenty of other things are caulked to seal them up on the exterior of buildings (windows, flashing, etc.)

 

[spudley]

I read somewhere that bugs won't enter borate mines, so I sprinkled a box of Borax around the perimeter of my cottage foundation. May be just a coincidence but I had a noticeable reduction in multi legged "visitors" last year.
I'd try that around your garage after a caulk job in and out.