Hi, I am framing a wall in a basement room, to finish off the room. The sill plate is on top of the wall, and between the sill plate and the wall there is some type of flashing, looks like zinc. It juts out from the sill plate and is preventing the 2 x 4's from going flush with the wall. It has some flexibility and I can probably bend it back out of the way. Is this okay to do? Should I caulk between the sill plate and the wall since I will be putting in a ceiling? What is the flashing for? The other sill plates in the house do not have it. Thanks.

I've no idea on your flashing question. Can you post a photo? Also is this near any utilities and/or is there a deck on the other side?

You aren't registered, nor do you state where you're from, so it's a bit difficult to offer complete advice on your exterior basement (below grade?) wall. However, if you click on >>> THIS LINK <<< and then click on examples that refelect your geographic location, you'll find the proper method of constructing that wall. Suggest you pay particular attention to the use of insulation and avoidance of vapor barriers (which includes oil based primer/paint when you get to that point).

Okay to bend it back?
Yes, it should be.

Should I caulk between the sill plate and the wall?
No, but you could caulk at the interface of the sill plate and the flashing if it is a potential for air infiltration.

What is the flashing for?
Hard to say without seeing the outside and since it's in one area only.

the metal could be a termite shield. ront

I agree with Ront. That is what I was going to say, he responded quicker. Insect/vermin shield

Took off old paneling to find some mold on wall. Basement is usually very dry, so likely caused by condensation. Plan to remove with bleach. Any advice on what to spray to prevent a further occurrence? I plan to finish this wall with new insulation and then drywall. Need to build a proper frame first too. Thanks.

I ewould treat the mold with a product called Concrobium or something similar. These products also prohibit further growth of mold by screwing up its DNA (not kidding). Bleach usually kills but with mold you have spores and those are quite hard to eliminate.

I would set the new walls a little bit back from the masonry. If you use an extruded foam board that works best as afar as controlling moisture. The board comes in various thicknesses use at least a 3/4" board.

There are also newer mold resistant drywalls that use a non-organic face paper. Do not confuse with moisture resistant greenboard.

There are joint compounds to match. They finish just like a standard drywall board finishes. There are also special tapes for the seams as well.

A good book on drywall by Myron Furgeson called "Drywall" is available at your local library or homestore. They just released a new version of the book too.

Good luck.

Thanks for great advice. I was wondering if I should paint the wall with something to make it more moisture resistant? I do plan to use foam board.

are you sure it was mold?? perhaps just effloresence. ront