Help Around the House host Henry Harrison comes to the rescue when a guest discovers the 2x4s along the mudsill of his garage have started to rot (
figure A). Harrison shows how to relieve the load on the vertical posts and replace the sill with new pressure treated lumber. On his elbow grease scale of one to four, Harrison gives this job a three.
Tools:
column jack
jackscrew
reciprocating saw
drill
circular saw
hammers
clamps
prybar
square
tape measure
level
adjustable wrench
broom
safety glasses
pressure treated 2x4s
masonry nails
deck screws
pressure-treated 2x4s
Note: The siding was removed from the exterior of the garage before starting this project.
Steps:
1. Clear a spot for the base of the column jack and have a friend help you move it into position. Use the adjustable wrench to tighten the expansion nut (figure B).
2. Use a jackscrew and a 4x4 extension post to relieve pressure at the other end of the wall. Use a level to make sure the expansion post is vertical, and brace the top of the post with a large board (figure C).
3. Turn the jackscrew just enough to relieve the weight on the wall, allowing you to work on the support posts (figure D).
4. Put on safety glasses and cut through the old mudsill and nails with a reciprocating saw (figure E). Angle down into the horizontal 2x4 making up the sill to avoid damaging the vertical wall studs.
5. Use a prybar to clear away the damaged mudsill (figure F). Follow up with a brush to clear all debris from the corners.
6. Slide a new pressure-treated 2x4 into place and tap into place with a small sledgehammer (figure G). If the board's sticking on any vertical studs use the reciprocating saw to cut a small relief into the new mudsill.
7. Anchor the new mudsill to the concrete foundation by driving in masonry nails with the sledgehammer (figure H).
8. If the bottoms of a few of the vertical studs are damaged, you can reinforce them and avoid replacing the entire stud. Cut short lengths of the pressure-treated 2x4s and attach them to damaged studs using five galvanized deck screws (figure I).
9. Clamp the replacement studs to the old Space four of the screws evenly along the side, drilling through the replacement into the old stud.
10. Drive the fifth screw at an angle through the narrow side of the replacement stud and into the new mudsill (figure J).
11. Check that all the studs are plumb using the level before removing the jacks and replacing the siding.
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