What does an inspector look for at the tops of foundation walls in a house with a wood-framed floor?

The top of a foundation wall is where the building's load transfers into the foundation and where the structure is tied down against uplift and lateral force, so the inspector checks both functions. Bearing means the sill plate and the floor framing sit fully on the wall with adequate contact — a joist bearing on only part of its required length, or a plate overhanging the wall, concentrates load on a reduced area. Fastening means the anchor bolts with washers and nuts that hold the plate down, at correct spacing and within the required distance of plate ends and splices. The same location also rewards a look at related conditions: whether a sill sealer or capillary break separates wood from concrete, whether the plate is preservative-treated where required, and whether decay or insect damage has begun at that wood-to-masonry junction.

The inspector confirms the framing bears fully on the wall and is anchored to it. Bearing carries gravity load into the foundation, and the anchorage resists uplift and lateral movement.

At the top of a foundation wall the sill plate is anchored with bolts, washers and nuts at specified spacing and end distance, and the floor framing bears on the plate and wall with adequate contact. A sill sealer or capillary break separates wood from concrete, and treated lumber is used where required.

Bearing Down, Bolts Holding. Look for full contact carrying the weight and anchorage keeping the house on the wall.

Probe the sill plate while you are there. The wood-to-masonry junction is a classic decay and termite location, and evidence is visible in an unfinished basement.

• •Checking anchor bolts while overlooking bearing contact
• •Missing decay or insect damage at the wood-to-masonry junction
• •Overlooking absent washers under anchor bolt nuts