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- 1). Locate an outside corner of your foundation wall, measure 5 1/2 inches in from the corner in both directions, and carefully make a pencil mark. Do the same thing on the other corners.
- 2). Pop a chalk line between two marks along the top of the foundation wall, from end to end, and check the lines for square using a large carpenter’s square. The lines will run, lengthwise, along the top of each foundation wall.
- 3). Hold a 2-by-6 treated board on the top of the foundation wall, aligning the end of the board with the end of the wall. Since the anchor bolts are sticking up, you can’t place the board flush along the top, but you can place it to one side, butted up next to the bolts. Have another worker hold it in place.
- 4). Mark the locations of the anchor bolts on the 2-by-6 and drill a hole for each bolt. Marking the holes accurately is an important step. By measuring the exact distance of each bolt from the chalk line and then transferring that measurement to the 2-by-6, the holes should be in the same place as the bolts.
- 5). Use a drill bit that is 1/8 inch larger than the diameter of the anchor bolts. For example, if you’re using standard 1/2-inch anchor bolts, use a 5/8-inch drill bit.
- 6). Slip the 2-by-6 over the bolts. The inside edge of the board should be flush with the chalk line if you measured the holes correctly.
- 7). Fit a nut over the end of the anchor bolt and tighten it with a wrench to secure the sill plate.
- 8). Repeat the process all the way around the foundation wall, and butt the ends of the boards together at the corners. Once your anchor plate is in place, you can begin building the rim joist and the floor joists.
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