This home was constructed about 10 years ago. It is what I would call "modest", only 1200 sq feet, (fine for me) and lacks any sort of adornment or upgrades, certainly what you would call a "starter" home.

I recently tore out the wall to wall carpet and baseboards (in order to install laminate flooring) in a bedroom and have discovered that the drywall does not sit on the floor, it is sitting on nails about 1/2 inche above the floor. In other words the drywall is suspended above the floor by about 1/2 to 3/4 inches. Why would anyone do this? What purpose does it serve? Is this evidence of substandard construction?

I am beginning to suspect it has something to do with the HVAC system and cold air return.

If the floor is a concrete slab under the carpet the drywall could have been held up to keep moisture from the concrete from wicking up into the drywall. In any case the gap should be no problem.

Glenn

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Almost all drywall is gapped up slightly. Nothing whatsoever wrong with it. I would expect problems in a house with it fitting tighhtly at base. settling of walls into shrinking plates would pack it too tight and cause buckling in th esurface and cracking at the seams.

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