How to Build a Stud Wall in a Basement With Pipes in the Way

Measure the width of the area where you plan to construct the wall. Measure the distance between the basement floor and the bottom of the ceiling joists to determine the height of the stud wall.

Cut two sections of 2-by-4-inch lumber to the width of the stud wall, using a circular saw. These sections serve as the top and base plates. Drill 5/16-inch diameter holes through the base plate at 4-inch intervals, starting 3 inches from one end.

Measure and mark the positions of the pipes on the plate. Cut out the sections of the top plate where the pipes are located with a circular saw to form multiple sections.

Place the base plate in the desired location of the wall. If the wall will run parallel to the ceiling joists, the base plate should sit directly beneath a ceiling joist. Mark the location of the holes in the base plate on the basement floor. Remove the base plate. Outfit a drill with a 3/8-inch masonry bit and drill a hole into the concrete at each mark.

Replace the base plate. Insert 3/8-inch diameter 4-inch bolts through the holes into the base plate and into the holes in the concrete. Tighten the bolts with a ratchet to secure the plate to the floor.

Place the top plate sections against the ceiling directly above, and parallel to, the base plate. Equip a drill with a screwdriver bit and attach the top plate sections to the bottom of the ceiling joist or joists with 4-inch wood screws at 4-inch intervals.

Measure the interior distance between the top and base plate. Cut sections of 2-by-4-inch lumber to this measurement to form the wall studs. Stand one stud between the base and top plate at one end of the wall, and attach the stud to the plates with 4-inch wood screws driven at 45-degree angles. Repeat this process with an additional stud at the opposite end of the wall and at each point where a top plate section meets a pipe.

Stand additional studs between the base and top plates at 16-inch intervals along the interior of the wall. Attach the studs with 4-inch wood screws driven at 45-degree angles.

Position a 4-by-8-foot sheet of moisture-resistant drywall horizontally along the bottom of one side of the wall. Attach the drywall to the studs with 3-inch drywall screws. Attach additional drywall sheets in the same manner, ensuring that the edges fit tightly together, to cover the remainder of the wall. Cut the sheets as needed with a drywall saw, and cut sections of drywall to fit around pipes with a keyhole saw.

Cover the seams, corners and screw heads with drywall compound using a putty knife. Place drywall tape over the seams and corners, cover the tape with additional compound, and let the compound dry overnight. Sand the wall with a palm sander.