attach PT lumber to stone foundation wal
Have a 100+ y/o (field??) stone foundation wall then wood frame home, the stone walls rise about 3-ft above grade. Basement (cellar!) beneath. Walls are in good shape. Prob is an old outside entrance cellar door. Is rotting old wood. Plan on replacing with a steel cellar door (Bilco most likely). The stone walls are above grade at 45degree angle so I only need replacement door, NOT slanted wall unit. I’d like to attach PT 2×6 or 2×8 flat on stone base, sort of as a sill, then screw & caulk the new steel door frame unit to that.
How do I attach the PT wood sill to the stone work? Drill and screw into mortar joints or direct into stone with concrete anchors? Anyone done similar with good results? Any ideas appreciated…
Replies
I'd apply a layer of mortar. Concrete would be too runny. Make it straight, flat and level. Let it cure. Spread some sill sealer on it and attach the PT plates. You can also use tar paper, felt, 6 mil poly, etc.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1927
If your mortar joints are sound, then fasten to them. A lot depends on how wide the wall, how good the mortar, the type and size of stones. Softer stones are easy to drill, but in general I'd advise against expansion type anchors in 100 year-old stonework. Epoxied all-thread in the stone or the sound mortar is the safest strong suggestion, and yes, creating a mortar bed is also a good idea for solid support and an air seal.
Bill