Method and apparatus for attaching a supported addition to a finished building

Abstract

A self sealing spacer is disclosed for use within a hole drilled within the exterior side portion of a finished building's wall exposing a structural frame therein to provide an attachment point for a supporting structural member of an addition to the finished building with a screw comprising a) a socket portion having a peripheral sidewall having spaced sealant openings therearound, and a bottom side wall which seats on the structural frame of the finished building, said bottom sidewall having a central axial opening therethrough; and, b) a plug portion mated to fit within the socket portion, said plug portion also having an axial central opening therethrough. When sealant is positioned within and on the bottom side wall of the socket portion prior to mating the plug portion therein, then when the supporting structural member of the addition is attached to the structural frame and the screw extends and tightens through the central openings, sealant is forced through the spaced peripheral openings therearound thereby sealing both the building wall, and the spacer within the building wall.

1 ) A self sealing spacer for use within a hole drilled within the exterior side portion of a finished building's wall exposing a structural frame therein to provide an attachment point for a supporting structural member of an addition to the finished building with a screw comprising:
 a) a socket portion having a peripheral sidewall having spaced sealant openings therearound, and a bottom side wall which seats on the structural frame of the finished building, said bottom sidewall having a central axial opening therethrough;   b) a plug portion mated to fit within the socket portion, said plug portion also having an axial central opening therethrough;   so when sealant is positioned within and on the bottom side wall of the socket portion prior to mating the plug portion therein, then when the supporting structural member of the addition is attached to the structural frame and the screw extends and tightens through the central openings, sealant is forced through the spaced peripheral openings therearound thereby sealing both the building wall, and the spacer within the building wall.   
   
   
       2 ) A self sealing spacer as in  claim 1  wherein the finished building's exterior wall is drilled out leaving a cylindrical hole and wherein the spacer is generally cylindrical and has a diameter selected to mate within the cylindrical hole. 
   
   
       3 ) A self sealing spacer as in  claim 2  further comprising a breakable packet of sealant positioned within and on the bottom side portion of the socket portion so that when the plug portion is tightened therein the packet bursts open and the sealant is squeezed through the peripheral openings therearound thereby sealing the spacer within the hole. 
   
   
       4 ) A self sealing spacer as in  claim 3  further comprising a length of double adhesive sided tape having one sticky side attached to the exterior bottom side of the socket portion and the other side having a removable cover so that when the cover is removed the spacer will be retained when seated on the structural frame at the bottom of the hole. 
   
   
       5 ) A method of attaching a supporting structural member of an addition to an exterior wall of a finished building comprising the steps of:
 a) removing an exterior portion of the finished building's wall to expose the structural frame thereunder;   b) inserting a spacer having a bottom side portion seated on the structural frame, and a peripheral side portion adjacent to the exterior portion of the finished building's wall, said spacer having a central axial opening therethrough, and a height generally similar to a thickness of the removed exterior portion of the finished building's wall; and finally,   c) attaching the supporting structural member of the addition to the structural frame of the finished building using an attachment member having a central portion extending through the axial opening in the spacer;   thereby spacing and solidly attaching the supporting structural member to the structural frame beneath the exterior wall.   
   
   
       6 ) A method as in  claim 5  wherein the finished building's wall is drilled out leaving a cylindrical hole and wherein the spacer is generally cylindrical and has an diameter selected to mate within the cylindrical hole. 
   
   
       7 ) A method as in  claim 6  wherein the attachment member comprises a screw. 
   
   
       8 ) A method as in  claim 6  wherein the attachment member comprises a lag bolt. 
   
   
       9 ) A method as in  claim 5  further comprising the step of applying a waterproof sealant to seal the spacer within the cylindrical hole prior to attaching the supporting member thereto. 
   
   
       11 ) A method as in  claim 2  wherein the plug is as described as in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       12 ) A method as in  claim 2  wherein the plug is as described as in  claim 3 . 
   
   
       13 ) A method as in  claim 2  wherein the plug is as described as in  claim 4 . 
   
   
       14 ) A method as described in  claim 11  wherein the finished building wall has a frame comprised of wood and wherein the supporting structural member attached thereto comprises a board of dimension lumber.