- Written By: Alexis W.
- Edited By: Heather Bailey
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
The sole plate, also sometimes referred to as the sill plate, the mud sill, or the base plate, is the main supporting beam of a wall in the construction industry. Typically, sole plates are the first piece of wood that is in contact with the masonry of the basement or foundation. Sole plates are important because they are the base of the building on which the outside walls and floors are supported. There are a number of different ways to construct sole plates and a number of different things to look for when examining a sole plate in a home inspection or pest control operation.
Since the sole plate is the foundation of the frame or wood walls of a home, to build an effective house or wall, it is essential to begin with a solid foundation. Due to the importance of sole plates, it is vital that the proper type of wood be installed. It is also necessary to secure it properly to ensure that the rest of your construction project goes as planned.
It is common for modern buildings to bolt or lag the sole plate into the masonry below it. In the past, however, construction of sole plates that were not bolted to the masonry foundation were considered to be acceptable. This was viewed as permitted since the walls themselves would weigh the sole plates down to the ground.
Under most modern building codes, builders are generally required to use large bolts or lags to secure the sole plate to the masonry foundation. Most builders will also put a piece of corrugated plastic or foam underneath the sole plate to help prevent water from wicking up through the masonry and into the wood. This type of material is called sill seal, and it is used extensively in modern home building.
Often, treated lumber or rot- and pest-resistant woods such as redwood or cedar are used as the sole plate in construction. If these woods have not been used, there is a possibility that the sole plates could rot out or be damaged by ants and termites, thus causing a potentially unsafe condition where the walls are no longer directly attached to the foundation. If this is the case, the sole plate can sometimes be replaced by jacking up the area and removing the rotted or damaged wood, then replacing it with fresh wood of the proper species or treatment to prevent future damage.
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Emilski
Post 4 |
@TreeMan - Good question. The short answer to the lifespan of treated wood is -- yes. When we started remodeling our bathroom three or four years ago, we discovered that there was some water damage to the bottom plate, which was originally treated wood. I've also read that treated wood isn't necessarily termite resistant, either. We don't have a basement, so I'm not sure how it would work then, but the repairman was able to replace the damaged wood without having to jack up the house, but I'm not sure if that's typical for every situation. I believe he replaced it with more treated wood, but said it should last for many more years. |
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kentuckycat
Post 3 |
I think I would be scared to know that my house was not bolted onto the foundation. Like the article says, the weight of the house, would probably hold things in place, but in some wetter climates, I could see where shifting soil could potentially cause problems. The same would go for places where earthquakes are common. I'm sure in the past, though, it was very difficult to drill holes into masonry.
The article mentions sill seal being used between the masonry and wood, but how do home builders stop water from leaking in through other parts of the foundation? Is there some sort of caulking product that is used to make a waterproof seal so that no water can get into the basement? |
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JimmyT
Post 2 |
What kind of machine do you use to lift up a house! Surely you would need something a little bit more heavy duty than a regular car jack, wouldn't you? I'm wondering how you would even get the jack under the house to begin with. Has anyone ever seen this done, or know how they do it? Also, wouldn't lifting up the house put stress on the other joints in the walls and frame? How do the contractors make sure there is no damage to other parts of the house? |
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TreeMan
Post 1 |
Is a sole plate always made out of wood? Since there can be so many problems, would it make more sense to use something like a steel or iron sole plate? Is there some reason that metal shouldn't be used?
Also, isn't there usually a lifespan on the length that treated lumber will last? Won't the treating agent leave the wood at some point and leave it open to rotting? |
