We are looking at a house with a "dry" finished basement, finished by the owner. In framing the walls, he did not use pressure-treated wood where it contacts the concrete floor. Is this a problem?

[Larry D. Kage]

It is preferred but if it all stays dry, it will probably last longer than you.

[mellison]

In my area we rarely see pressure treated wood for the sills, but we do recommend plastic or better yet; sill gasket, which is a closed cell foam strip that is sandwiched between the bottom sill plate and the concrete floor.

[Michael Larson]

In my area PTL is required when ever the wood comes in direct contact with concrete.

[Mark E. Northrup]

It is not required in Oregon But a good Idea. Or the Seal sealer or vapor barrier.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

[QUOTE=mlarson;610262]In my area PTL is required when ever the wood comes in direct contact with concrete.[/QUOTE]

Ditto.

[gmoore7]

Not required in Ontario. However, as stated it is good practice to have a gasket or plastic barrier.

[Kenneth A. Townsend]

PTL is required in florida.

[David A. Andersen]

Put a box on the floor and come back in a couple of days and see if it's wet underneath. Take a moisture measurement prior and after.

It is highly likely that proper vapor retardants were not use below the concrete during initial construction because the basement was not intended to be finished.

Concrete does not stop water/water vapor intrusion.

Does it really matter if there is a code requirements for this type of thing? How about doing some testing to determine if it's necessary and adapt your construction accordingly?

[Marcel Gratton]

[QUOTE=gmoore7;610442]Not required in Ontario. However, as stated it is good practice to have a gasket or plastic barrier.[/QUOTE]

Gerald,

Are you sure about that?

OBC 9.23.2.3