How Does Sealing the Base Plate Keep Bugs Out of My Home?
When you're building or buying a home in the Texas Hill Country, comfort and energy efficiency are usually top priorities. But there’s one detail most people don’t think about: the small gap between the concrete foundation and the bottom of the walls.
At Texas Living Homes, we seal that space to help keep out air, moisture, and bugs. By sealing what's called the base plate, we make your home more comfortable, energy-efficient, and bug-free from the ground up.
Why That Gap Matters
Even small gaps between the foundation and the base of the walls can cause issues over time. Because concrete is poured by hand and lumber is a natural material, they do not always meet perfectly. This creates uneven spaces where outside air, moisture, and bugs can slip in.
When left unsealed, this lower edge of the home becomes one of the most common and overlooked entry points for pests. It can also make it harder to keep your indoor temperature consistent, which affects both comfort and energy efficiency.
How We Seal the Base Plate
At Texas Living Homes, we use a specialized pressure-activated tape to seal the gap where the base plate meets the concrete foundation. This tape is designed to bond tightly to multiple surfaces, including concrete, wood, and sheathing.
We apply it directly along the base of the wall where the lumber and concrete meet. It wraps from the foundation, under the base plate, and up to the edge of the wall sheathing. This creates a strong, continuous seal that helps block air, moisture, and insects from getting through.
This method not only strengthens the home's exterior barrier, it also helps protect one of the most vulnerable areas in the structure.
A Small Detail That Makes a Big Impact
Sealing the base plate is a simple step with a meaningful impact. It helps prevent pests from getting in, supports more consistent indoor temperatures, and contributes to the overall efficiency of the home.
It is one of the many ways we ensure every home we build is designed for long-term comfort and performance.
Meet our builder, Jennifer hyde
Jennifer leads Texas Living Homes with a focus on quality and care. From sealing the base plate to the final finishes, she builds with comfort and efficiency in mind.
If you are wanting to build a home in the Texas Hill Country, contact us today.
