Basement Bulkhead/Soffit + Wall Framing

Submitted by adikenobi t3_127ygrj in DIY

Would like to finish my basement myself, and was scanning the ceiling and noticed the central vac, gas line, electrical was in place where the top plate of the wall would usually go. Would it be reasonable to frame around the duct and then have the wall fastened to the end of the blue 2x4? Is there any other way to do this more securely?

https://preview.redd.it/lsuhqwxxx4ra1.jpg?width=793&format=pjpg&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=b62df27dbd8c6653f8d5de396075ae4f70c3617b

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craig5005 t1_jeglf0a wrote

From my amateur knowledge, totally fine, this is what bulkheads usually enclose. But a few things to mention. If you have any junction boxes in there, you need to maintain access to them through an access panel. Also, I'd add some protection from someone screwing something into the ceiling and hitting one of those lines. Someone put a screw through my central vac line and I can't use one of the outlets now as it always gets clogged due to the screw catching all the crap being sucked through.

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Can-DontAttitude t1_jegwazf wrote

It’s a little hard to see at this angle, but I think they’ve got a few inches of space between the bottom of the trunk and the bottom of the cvac. OP, find a way to fasten the top of your wall to the joists. It’ll be far better than relying on the blue 2x4. It’ll probably involve cutting the cvac in a few places and gluing it back together with couplings.

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randomn49er t1_jeh4pbh wrote

You will want the wall spaced off the concrete. Typically it is an inch gap. Fasten the bottom plate to the floor and use brackets to fasten the top plate to the concrete wall while keeping the studs plumb.

Edit. Space brackets every 4' or so will be plenty. Simpson strong tie has many options available

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Teddyjo t1_jeh3lv8 wrote

Are you planning on putting XPS foam insulation on the walls? That might change your calculus a bit as it would bump out your wall 2" anyway and you could do a normal top plate around where (2) is.

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