Wall/Sill plate

[hdenmanuk]

I am currently doing up my victorian terrace and have discovered that the wall plate between the living and dining room (in the alcoves) is completely rotten. The floor has sunk slightly in the living room and I will need to replace about 3m of the wall plate in all.

Please could someone tell me if I need to jack-up the wall while I'm replacing it or can I clear it out and replace it in sections? Also, what type of wood do I need to use and is there some sort of damp proofing/protection that i should be doing to it?

Many thanks

 

[Chri5]

What do you think would happem to the unsupported sections caused by removal of the offending wall plate

Of course you need to support the joists !

Ask at the timber yard and they will point you in the direction of a suitable pressure treated wood.

 

[mac391]

I disagree,

You can comfortably remove the rotten wall plate as it only supports the floor joists and you can take out some of the brickwork but only up 1 metre at a time.

Wall plates come in differnt sizes but victorian times it was generally 25mm PSE (plained square edge) which you can buy pressure treated or treat it yourself with a wood preserver such as cuprinol. if you can't get the exact size buy something slightly thinner and use slate (not timber) to pack the joists on top of the wall plate and use a string line to level them, not a spirit level.

You need to place a dampcourse under the wall plate aswell, you but it on a role anywhere like b&q, builders merchants etc.

Check the joists aren't rotten also, as is often the case !!

 

[hdenmanuk]

Thanks very much mac391. That's a really helpful answer!