Thread: Sole plate in basement, adhered vs fastened?

I was asked today by my client if the sole plate of partition wall in basement was allowed to be adhered to the cement with construction adhesive rather than fastened with nail gun into the cement. I told him I wasn't sure but new how to find out. Thanks in advance for the help.

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Good practice is to use a Ramset gun to anchor the bottom plate.

Also the bottom plate should be pressure treated wood (which it appears in the photo) or black plastic or 6 mil plastic used to break the contact of wood to concrete fwiw.

adhesive alone is not approved for that use

Originally Posted by Raymond Wand

Good practice is to use a Ramset gun to anchor the bottom plate.

...or tapcons, or cut nails, or anchor bolts, or...

Table R602.3(1) is the fastener schedule for structural (wall) members. I believe that wall has been added for a couple of reasons, the studs and plate look a little different and if was original it would have been fastened the same as the other walls. If it is not a structural wall, in my opinion it is not required to be nailed screwed or bolted but would be, as Raymond said, good practice.

Originally Posted by Chris McIntyre

...or tapcons, or cut nails, or anchor bolts, or...

Table R602.3(1) is the fastener schedule for structural (wall) members. I believe that wall has been added for a couple of reasons, the studs and plate look a little different and if was original it would have been fastened the same as the other walls. If it is not a structural wall, in my opinion it is not required to be nailed screwed or bolted but would be, as Raymond said, good practice.

I believe you'll notice the OP's location, a great deal of the region is significantly (ISO "C" 33+ %g) seismically/geologically (soil ukwn) classified. We do not know if this is a detached SFH, nor the soil conditions, nor if same is in a flood zone. We don't know if the basement is walk-out or built as first story; We know nothing of the structure. Lets not assume.

Anchoring/fasteners is/are required, as are st least meeting if not exceeding the required prescribed minimums for the specific geological location and application, as per the adopted codes.

The storage-type water heater (IIRC, not up for pulling up WAC at the moment) should be strapped to sufficient structurally supported and secured; to prevent tipping (including crashing through the 'new wall') as well. Furthermore, flexible appliance connectors to the appliance from systems' shut-offs are recommended.

Originally Posted by Bill Anglin

I was asked today by my client if the sole plate of partition wall in basement was allowed to be adhered to the cement with construction adhesive rather than fastened with nail gun into the cement. I told him I wasn't sure but new how to find out. Thanks in advance for the help.

While I can't say for sure from the photo the wall may just be a non-structural partition. If it is, then this is not a significant concern. If it is a structural wall, then it may not comply with code, but it is not likely to be a big concern. Regarding any seismic concerns, since the wall is not sheathed it is certainly not a shear wall, so that is not an issue.

I don't think you will find any coded anchoring to the floor requirements for a non-bearing wall partition unless you are in earthquake zones.

Construction adhesive might work just fine here.

Originally Posted by Mike Lamb

I don't think you will find any coded anchoring to the floor requirements for a non-bearing wall partition unless you are in earthquake zones.

Construction adhesive might work just fine here.

OP is in Spokane Washington ( not exactly San Fransisco but still a threat.)