Can you embed wood in concrete?

A.: A brief item, “Wood Swells,” in our October 1978 issue, page 584, recommends against using wood embedded in concrete because wood swells whenever it soaks up water. Embedding wood in locations where joints or cracks would be visible, as in the walls of an earth-sheltered house, is undesirable.

What should I put between wood and concrete?





Anyplace where wood meets the ground or concrete, the lumber must be pressure treated. For additional moisture protection, a gasket or strip of closed-cell foam can be installed between the concrete foundation and the sill plate.

Can you leave wood in a concrete slab?

The concrete floor shouldn’t be effected by the embedded lumber even if it should deteriorate. If the concrete floor was poured to an appropriate thickness and mixed correctly it’s best to leave the wood in place.
Nov 12, 2020

How do you secure a base plate to a concrete floor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So what I did was I use these things called sleeve anchors a brand called red head and the way these work is you drill a hole through the stud and the concrete.

Can wood touch concrete?

Yes, you can put wood directly on concrete.
May 10, 2022

Can you bury treated wood in concrete?





Generally, if your pressure-treated 4×4 wooden posts are set in concrete or have a stone base, you can have them in good shape for up to 25 years. However, if the post underground is in constant contact with water and moist ground, it might not last more than seven years.
Nov 23, 2021

Does wood rot in concrete?

With concrete holding the moisture against the wood, wood has no chance and will eventually lose the battle. Now you don’t have to lose all hope because it’s for certain that the concrete around the post will crack, therefore making it easy to pull out when it starts to rot.

Will treated wood rot in concrete?

Simply setting the posts in concrete does create a condition that will accelerate rot in the bottom of the posts. With pressure-treated posts, the rot will be slow.
Apr 23, 2013

Do you need to use pressure treated wood in a basement?

Basement Masonry Walls



Pressure-treated wood is required whenever you attach framing lumber or furring strips directly to concrete or other exterior masonry walls below grade. Note that this requirement is only for exterior walls, as these may wick moisture onto the lumber.
Feb 27, 2022

What is the best subfloor for a basement?



Rigid foam is an excellent basement subfloor option because it provides a thermal break between concrete and flooring.



Rigid Foam Insulation Subfloor.

Foam Subfloor
Top Finish flooring
Middle Plywood screwed down through the layer below Rigid foam insulation—1 1/2-inch thick

How do you install a wood sill plate on a concrete slab?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: It um just goes in between the block and the sill plate but it just sticks down through those anchor bolts and goes under the plate.

How do I secure my bottom plate to my basement floor?

Attaching the bottom plate of a wall to a concrete floor can be done using any of the following methods:

  1. Cut nails (aka masonry nails)
  2. Concrete nails.
  3. Concrete screws.
  4. Wedge anchors.
  5. Construction Adhesive.



Do you need moisture barrier between wood and concrete?

A common question that DIYers ask is, “I’m installing a new floor on-grade, a cement slab. Do I need a vapor barrier for hardwood floors?” The answer is YES! Moisture can destroy hardwood flooring. It causes cupping, warping, and even mildew if not treated.
Jan 7, 2021

How do you separate concrete and wood?

In most cases, either pressure-treated lumber or naturally durable lumber (defined by the IRC as the heartwood of redwood, cedar, black locust, and black walnut) is acceptable. In some cases, separating wood from concrete with a water-impervious membrane or vapor retarder is all that’s required.

Can you pour concrete around a wooden post?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: It's a way to most people would go yeah and he is right it's not a good thing to do you could do it but it's still not a good thing to do what you do is you temporary shore up the roof.

How long will a wooden post last in concrete?



The post will only rot at ground level, it does not matter what you put in the bottom of the hole. A pressure treated post will last around 10 years.
Feb 12, 2015

Why deck posts should not be set in concrete?

Deck Posts Will Rot When Set in Concrete



The concrete around the post is acting as a bowl holding water. Just like a concrete swimming pool holds water, so does concrete around a deck post. The rain falls and collects on top of the concrete with no place to go except into the post.

Can I add concrete on top of concrete in post hole?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Once you have dug your post hole add about six inches of quikrete all-purpose gravel into the bottom of the hole. Then compact. And level the gravel using a post or 2×4. Set the post into the hole.

Can new concrete be poured over old concrete?

You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not taken care of. In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick.
Aug 17, 2020

Can you put a thin layer of concrete over concrete?



Is it okay to pour concrete over existing concrete? Yes, you can put new concrete over old concrete providing there are no issues such as significant cracks of frost heaves with your existing concrete. A new layer of concrete should be about two inches to ensure an even, strong coverage.
Sep 15, 2021