Building a house with a production builder in NC. The garage is a detached 2×6 construction. 2×6 is what the builder uses not what was requested. I noticed that the sill was pieced together and I have never used a two piece sill in the few garages I have built and the house sill plate is not pieced. To describe they used a 2×4 and then ripped a two by four to make up the sill vs using a 2×6. This sill bolts go through the 2×4. How many would have issue with this? Is this an acceptable standard?
Thanks
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The main issue would be that, for a treated sill on concrete, ripping the 2x exposes the inside of the treated lumber which is not quite as rot-resistant as the exterior. But this is a minor issue, and structurally the sill is fine.
One does wonder why they did it, though. Especially a production builder should not come up short on materials.
hmmm...
Never saw that before but I don't get out a lot.
I have a guess why but did you ask ?
If it is all well nailed I don't offhand see much issue. Main thing is if the anchor bolts are still really in connect with the whole wall frame. For instance the sheathing must be tied to the anchor system by nailing to the plate so the fill in piece is structural.
Hmmm...
I kinda wonder if they do this to simplify raising the wall. Something like this --
Looks like it might be a double plate -- if so they fasten the first layer. The thin strip is then installed, then they pin the studs to the wide piece while laying down. Raise the wall and the two pieces help align the wall properly with no danger of it slipping off in the process.
It's not standard. Therefore, you only need ask if it is acceptable. The inspector in charge of reveiwing and/or passing your framing would be the best person to ask this question. Or a structural engineer who has reviewed your site in detail and is willing to sign off on it.
From a structural perspective, wall sheathing shear panels transfer load to the sill plate. It appears that the rip is on the exterior sheathing side of plate and would be accepting the lion's share of sheathing fastner length (assuming 8 d nails or 16 guage 1-3/4 staples). So the connection between the rip and the 2x4 becomes critical because you said only the 2x4 was the only framing member bolted firmly to the foundation.
agree...
That's where I get heartburn. The sheathing is nailed to the ripped piece of the sill, but the rip isn't connected to the foundation.
Not sure if it carries over, but several years ago I know someone that got nixed for a detail like that. Could be due to coastal building and wind loading requirements in my area. Not sure. But he built a thick wall with a split mudsill. Inspector gave it the Red X.
I too agree that the shear wall may be compromised. If so, there could be relatively easy fixes that don't include replacing the sill.
I'd be more concerned as to why this happened. My guess is that the framers came up short on material and did this to keep moving on the project. If so, it doesn't bode well for the future. There could be more framing surprises in store for you. Keep a close watch and let them know that this sort of thing isn't acceptable.