Input text: “What are the main causes of climate change and how can we work towards reversing its effects?” Generated question: “How can we address the root causes of climate change and take action to mitigate its impact on our planet?”
Asked by Mathew Macrae 
6 months ago
Last Updated: June 18, 2024
I apologize for not being able to attend the meeting today. I had a prior commitment that I could not reschedule. Thank you for your understanding.
Are you attempting to close it off? Is this foundation made of concrete slabs?
So the foundation is a slab. Can you give me some tips on how to seal it properly to prevent water from getting in?
Having dirt on the inside of the exterior sheet that meets the concrete slab is not ideal. Have you checked if the grading outside is correct? In any case, it’s essential to install a treated 2×4 bottom plate (sometimes 2×6) along the perimeter.
You need to remove the dirt from the slab. Replace any rotted wood. Prevent water from flowing towards the house. Consider installing a trench drain near the slab. It’s important that the dirt does not sit above the slab. According to local building codes, there should be a 6” slope two feet away from the house.
IBC is usually adopted in most states and adjusted with state-specific provisions; It’s quite common to have it 4-6” from the bottom of the stucco or exterior siding. If the soil reaches the bottom edge of the exterior siding, the grading around the house will need to be modified to ensure proper water management and prevent future problems.
It seems like there used to be a treated 2×4 (also known as sole, sill or bottom plate) on the slab with the vertical studs resting on it. The exterior plywood should have been connected to that plate as well. Based on the anchor bolt sticking out from the concrete and the gaps between the bottom of your studs and the slab, it appears there was one there at some point. The bottom of your plywood also seems to be deteriorating. It’s a bit difficult to see from the video, but if there’s a space between your studs and the slab, you should insert a pressure treated bottom plate there as soon as possible to prevent that corner of the structure from dropping down due to the missing 1 1/2 inches. Clean the slab thoroughly before installing the new plate and apply 2-3 rows of silicon caulk on the slab along the length of the plate before placing it in position. If the plywood outside doesn’t extend all the way to the bottom of the plate, add a second treated board on top of the bottom plate between the studs so that you have something to secure the siding to for the time being. While this is a temporary solution, it will assist you in your current predicament. Additionally, ensure that water is directed away from your building to avoid runoff moving towards your house. Best of luck with the repairs.
Looks like there might be a termite issue because dirt doesn’t just show up in the walls unexpectedly
Did the sill plate rot and had to be removed?
The bottom plate has disappeared, leaving only bolts that seem to have been screwed into the concrete slab. Some of the studs are rotted out by about 1 inch on certain boards, so I will follow your advice and tear down the outside to rebuild. Thank you all for your help, I really appreciate it.