Hi all, I am new to this forum but have learned a lot from the post already.
I have posted a question about how to stable a half wall. And I want to ask a further question, is it a consturction code cover the stability of a half wall? I just purchased this house, the home inspector said it’s ok for the half wall to move a little bit. But I just feel uncomfortable about it.
Thanks a lot!
Replies
Exactly where is this 1/2 wall? What is under it?
And is it the lower half or the upper half? ;)
Certainly it's not uncommon for a half wall to have detectable motion when you lean against it. A wall that's out-and-out wobbly is disconcerting and just not good workmanship, though.
As Paul suggested, it makes a difference where the wall is and what it's accomplishing. A wall that guards a stairwell needs to be exceptionally trustworthy, while a wall that's merely cosmetic represents less of a hazard. And walls that are apt to be bumped against or leaned on during normal traffic flow in the house deserve a little extra security.
Can you perhaps characterize the wall a bit more? How long is it? Is it anchored to a solid wall at one end? If you just sort of casually lean against it, how much does it flex?
Typically when we build a half tall wall, no code applies, unless it is a type of baluster surrounding a stairwell. In a case like that, it must withstand 200# of lateral force.
We anchor by letting one or two studs down into the floor framing when we build them, but I have seen hacks who just nail them up by the bottom plate to subfloor is all. Those will definitely have wiggle.