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Community and Q&A

Is there rot in the sill plate?

NaturalKim | Posted in General Questions on

Hello.
I need your advise/help. 
I’m a new home buyer. Especially, the sill looks rotten to me. Is it ok? What about the stud?

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Replies

  1. jacobtig | | #1

    That is just barky lumber. It’s unfortunate that that lumber wouldn’t get cull’d by framers, but it’s nothing to worry about.

    1. NaturalKim | | #2

      Thank you very much. As far as I know, sill is treated by some chemical for the termite and humidity protection. The barky part must have not been treated properly, isn't it?

      1. Expert Member
        MALCOLM TAYLOR | | #3

        Kim,

        That barky bit did get treated. As Jacob said, it isn't ideal but poses no real problem.

        What intrigues me in your photo is the dwarf stud with the bevelled top. What's that about?

        1. NaturalKim | | #4

          Thank you for your reply. I have no idea about the dwarf stud? Is the stud next to it supposed to sit on the surface of sill plate? The dwarf stud looks like the support stud.

          1. Expert Member
            MALCOLM TAYLOR | | #5

            Kim,

            I have no idea what's g0ing on. I've never seen anything like it.

        2. JC72 | | #6

          Looks like framing for a closet in the garage. Perhaps they didn't have the length so made an adjustment in order to hang sheetrock?

          1. Expert Member
            PETER Engle | | #7

            Looks like a perfect mouse hole to me. I'd insist that gets sealed before any finishes are installed. I hope the too-short stud isn't structural. I guess if it's properly nailed to the ganged studs next door, it might be OK. If nothing else, a small solid blocking in the hole would help. Just looks sloppy.

        3. Expert Member
          BILL WICHERS | | #8

          Since there appears to be one treated stud there, I'm guessing this is a transition area of some type. That dwarf stud might have been used as a foot or hinge to help swing one of the wall sections up into position. That would be my guess. Note that if that treated stud is supposed to be load bearing, it shouldn't have an air gap under it -- it should be resting directly on something else. That might be something to check.

          I agree with the other comment about that making a perfect "mouse hole". I'd fill the void with canned foam prior to putting up sheathing. There is no other way to reliably insulated a hole that small.

          Bill

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