I am in the process of finishing my basement and had an interior french drain system installed. I now want to start putting walls up but am unsure how to attach them on top of the french drain. I believe the cement is only around 1.5" to 2" inches thick on top of the french drain and I fear cracking the cement or damaging something.
How should I attach the studs / wall frame on top of my french drain? Can I really just shoot nails into the cement over the french drain or is there something else I should do to prevent damaging it? Is there perhaps a better way to secure the wall?
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1You probably don't need any fasteners at all. Build the wall as a tight fit, and attach the top plate to the joists. The wall's basically only there to hold up drywall, so there shouldn't be any forces trying to move the bottom of the wall.Tester101– Tester1012016-03-21 16:53:12 +00:00Commented Mar 21, 2016 at 16:53
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I would ask the drain installing company. You may want to put a foam or rubber gasket layer if the concrete will be moist.DaveM– DaveM2022-09-12 19:20:10 +00:00Commented Sep 12, 2022 at 19:20
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Pl 8x is the best adhesive to use in this situation.user493654– user4936542025-05-20 02:58:24 +00:00Commented May 20 at 2:58
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3 Answers
Use construction adhesive and the occasional drilled fastener, such as concrete screws or plastic plug nails.
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ah. Think the adhesive will hold? Any recommendations for what specific adhesive and screws to use?Michael– Michael2016-03-21 16:42:22 +00:00Commented Mar 21, 2016 at 16:42
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It will. Unless you have persistently high moisture in your concrete it'll hold for decades. Tapcon or any predrilled drive-in anchor would do. There's very little force to contain.isherwood– isherwood2016-03-21 16:46:08 +00:00Commented Mar 21, 2016 at 16:46
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Agree with the tapcons. Be sure and used a pressure treated board for your bottom plate though. The rest of the wall can be regular wood.BrianK– BrianK2016-03-22 02:10:24 +00:00Commented Mar 22, 2016 at 2:10
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any recommended type of construction adhesive? Just wanted to grab something most people seem to have good luck with.Michael– Michael2016-03-24 05:55:06 +00:00Commented Mar 24, 2016 at 5:55
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Liquid Nails, Titebond, OSI, Gorilla. Use the heavy duty version from almost any major brand. The project versions are often water-based and not as tough.isherwood– isherwood2016-03-24 11:49:20 +00:00Commented Mar 24, 2016 at 11:49
My installer said any nails or puncturing of the concrete over the drainage system would void the warranty, and to use construction adhesive. Although removing the glued footer would probably damage the concrete as well given how thin it looks.
If water comes onto the drain as you would expect, it will evaporate into the wood and drywall and grow mold. Don't build the wood plate on top of the drain, leave a 4 to 6" air space to allow some ventilation.
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1If the drain is functioning as designed, don't you think the water will drain before it evaporates? Besides, evaporated water (often referred to as "humidity") will impact most, if not all the wood everywhere in the walls, not just the sole plate, no?FreeMan– FreeMan2022-09-13 13:06:36 +00:00Commented Sep 13, 2022 at 13:06