After a framed wall is upright but before the joists are nailed to the top plate, it needs to be fine-tuned so it’s plumb and straight along its entire length. My favorite way to do that is with a springboard.
To make a springboard for an 8-foot-tall wall, you’ll need:
- 12-foot-long 1×8
- 4-foot-long 1×8 to serve as a brace
- Level or mason line
- Gauge block
- 8d cement-coated nails
- Hammer
- Safety glasses
- Work gloves
You will need a 12-foot 1×8 for each springboard you construct. On long walls, set up springboards this way every 10 feet.
Position Springboards for Straight Walls
Start by using a level or mason line to determine where the wall isn’t straight, then:
- Wherever the wall isn’t straight, drive three 8d cement-coated nails through the end of the 12-foot 1×8nd into the underside of the top plate.
- Sitting or press down on the springboard and secure its other end to the sheathing with three more nails.
- Put the brace against the underside of the springboard, as shown, and nail its lower end to the sheathing.
- On long walls, set up springboards this way every 10 feet.
Adjust Wall Springboards
To adjust the wall:
- Pivot the brace along the underside of the springboard until the line just touches the gauge block.
- Nail through the springboard and into the top end of the brace.
The springboard will hold the wall in place until the top plate is secured to the joists.
Alternative Methods for Wall Straightening
While the springboard method is highly effective, there are other techniques you can use to straighten walls.
- The shim method involves using wooden shims between the top plate and ceiling joists to make minor adjustments. This can be effective for slight corrections.
- The turnbuckle technique involves installing turnbuckles along the wall and tightening them to pull the wall into alignment. This method is suitable for more significant adjustments.
- Adding temporary diagonal braces can help hold the wall straight while securing it permanently. This method is often used in conjunction with other techniques.
