Deck Ledger Board Flashing Inspection Tips 

I'm a homeowner prepping to rebuild a deck. This video was extremely helpful and very well explained!

This was good. I would really like to see more short code and/or component specific videos like this.

After searching for deck installation videos, focused on those regarding ledger installation, I must say this is by far the cream of the crop! Bravo good sir! Bravo! God bless.

I'm not sure what that bottom metal flashing is doing... probably holding water and rotting out the bottom of the ledger board. Also deck framing should be built with pressure treated material. This is a very complex subject, with many, many variables. On a new house with a deck built during construction, you may see a deck this way. Often decks are added to house after construction and are done differently. Some good guidelines here though.

I'm new to home inspection and I'm studying for my state exams. I just want you to know your videos are a major help to me, thank you.

as someone trying to fix my deck, this was an excellent guide on how to do it right!

I have to say you was very thorough in the presentation. I've built decks for many years and i picked up a helpful tip. Thank you sir!

Great video, with one request - I'm a building inspector and one of the most missed sections (and in my opinion, most important) is R507.9.2 Lateral connection. Everyone worries about the ledger falling off the house, but a large percentage of deck failures are going to be the joists pulling away from the ledger due to wind, eathquake or live loading. It's such a simple little connector, but does a big job, and I have to explain it to builders all the time.

This is, by far, the best explanation that I have seen of the code and practices. This is more intellectual and or professorial. I’m surrounded by them, was one myself, perhaps that’s what I relate to? But he was great. Thank you and Bravo.

Nice video, the one glaring error that should have been mentioned is that the Tyvek WRB did not extend below the top of the foundation wall. Current best practices and DuPont Tyvek Single-Family Field Installation Examples call for a 1" overlap onto the foundation below. For air sealing, also part of the job of the Tyvek WRB, the product should also be sealed at the foundation overlap with one of the methods shown in the Field Installation Examples. The IRC remains strangely silent about this, however common sense should dictate that the WRB must extend below the top of the foundation ("in a shingle-like manner")

I strive for greatness and hope to be even half the inspector that you are. Thank you so much for making these videos. I’ve completed about five certificates, and I find the reading to be painful at best (it’s not you it’s me lol😂). It’s all good information and stuff I need to know, but these videos are what keep me going. Keep up the great work. Dan from Truestar Sunshine Coast PS. Now I feel somewhat armed going into the deck inspection course. Wish me luck! 🤞

Great video and its nice to know Im doing most everything correctly. The one thing I did not do was the flashing under the ledger board.

Finally, a good video on the subject, thank you. I'd love to look at that House of Horrors.

Excellent training video. I wish this “Museum’” is in Florida. Thank you Sir!

Good info. Reminds me of the Alton Brown of ledger board waterproofing.

I subscribed because you checked the code and walked us through it. Secondly, I would like if you did more videos just like this. You’ll gain many subscribers quick. Lastly, those that dislike need to explain what you did wrong. If not, stop disliking..

Love the IRC references!!! Thank you!

What an informative video. This is the best video I've seen to date to install flashing. Thanks.

Nice video. The sill gasket is also there because you don't want wood and concrete contact.

Would have been nice if the county inspector who supposedly inspected my deck would have caught all of this $5000 ago.

Very helpful video. A few questions though. Why the drip edge underneath the ledger board? doesn't that make a little channel for water to sit in in contact with the bottom of the board? My project is annoyingly complicated, its a ledger board over stucco and blockwork so with proper flashing can I put the board in contact with the stucco or cut the stucco away? I seen someone else mention spacers to keep the board off the wall , would you do that with flashing or instead of? And because of the stucco I would need spacers to be long enough to be in contact with blockwork and keep the board off the stucco or else cut all the stucco away....decisions

Great explanation and demonstration! Thank you.

I didn't install a ledger board on my deck. Installed 3 extra posts to support the deck along the house, centred 2' from the house with a support beam (cantilevered). My siding is untouched down to bottom and the last deck board is about 1/4" from the house. I feel that the potential for damage to the house or a rotting ledger board (no air behind it) is not worth the risk. As well, it's less expensive and quicker to install a few extra posts.

Many professionals here on RU-vid don't cut the house wrap, which means they don't achieve a true shingled pattern. It looks like you cut the house wrap above, install first the bottom drip rail, then the wide bottom peel and stick membrane that goes over that bottom drip rail, then install the top drip cap, then a second layer of membrane that attaches over the top drip rail and under the top house wrap, and tape the house wrap layered on top of that. After all done, install the ledger board and you're done. The tricky part is how on either side lateral to where the cut ends, even the bottom membrane is taped over the section of house wrap. That corner on each side could be a vulnerable point of entry. It seems complicated compared to what the pros do.

Wouldn't a .25" air gap be a good idea below the ledger board so that it does not sit on the metal flashing?

It is an extremely good use of code

Excellent description and visual references. Thank you

This answered so many questions, thanks for posting!

I think your right .except ive never seen flashing on the bottom of a ledger. I think thats a bit overkill.

My home inspector also didn't mention anything about the deck either. I decided to take a peak and noticed my band joist is rotted out. Not completely, but enough where that section needs to be replaced. Luckily I think I can manage the repair myself, very little to no jacking should be required. We shall see. After I fix it I can replace the deck with a properly built one. The real trick will be figuring out what to do about the old well they build the deck over.... Tempted to leave it be but I need to regrade the yard for proper drainage and that would make the we'll casing sit about 2 feet above grade.....

Thank you. Well projected! Keep teaching!

I enjoyed the video very much, at 2:35, I was thinking you could put that tape on the back side and never see it,...keeping with the shingle like theory.

Good explanation. How would this application be modified for a ledger board against a brick veneer?

Thank you for this. We bought a house and found out that the owner built it. He didn't put any flashing under our 4 double doors that go out to our porches. Needless to say we're having to remodel and fix this mess. To do this right im going to need to take the whole deck away from the ledger board correct?

Or...add a sticky membrane to each of the rim joists to divert the water flowing from the flashing onto the joists and down.

Awesome video. Very educational!

On the strip of metal flashing on the bottom edge of the ledger board can you crack the flashing down (maybe an 8th of an inch) so the flashing isn't holding water against the bottom of the ledger board?

This is very helpful ! Thank you

excellent vid. clearly explains everything.

We recently removed a concrete and deteriorating brick patio and discovered lots of water damage from improper slope and drainage. The rim plate and joists have been sistered and/or replaced and we replacing the old patio with a deck. The contractors have already installed the ledger board (and about 1/3 of the joists) and did not include any flashing. They say it's not necessary, because their plan was to butt the deck boards all the way up to the house sheathing. Everything I've read says code requires flashing AND since we've had nightmare water damage we are paranoid about future water issues. Question: Do we need to have them remove the ledger board and install a membrane behind it or can we get by with using a vinyl cap flashing on top of the ledger board? We want this done right. It's an expensive job already, and will add additional time, labor and materials expense to remove the ledgers and add the membrane. The contractors would obviously prefer to not have to remove ledgers and redo.

Bolts/ lags need to go into something solid such as studs or rim joist and sometimes it is necessary to be closer than the 2 inches mentioned from the top or bottom of the ledger board. Predrilling will prevent the ledger board from splitting.

I like using roofing cement to cover any potential openings in addition to the flashing.

When connecting the deck to the band joist of the existing house do you use lag bolts or just large nails? I have a 2nd story deck that was installed a few years back and I've noticed I have a water stain on my ceiling downstairs. It's right over the sliding door to go out to the patio below. But i'm thinking it mist be where the deck was attached to the band joist over that door.. Thanks, great video..

I don't like the bottom piece of metal flashing. I would bend it down at around 45 degrees for drainage.

Hello thank you for your service. I just want to say that is a small house for someone to put a deck on.

Why have flashing on the bottom of the ledger wouldn’t that just trap water on the bottom of the ledger instead of the water just flowing out

Great explanation but in future videos, it would be helpful if you just keep the camera on the close up of the model. It was too confusing in the (first part of the video) to be quickly switching back and forth between the close up model and your face/body.

Great video. Question, is the metal flashing below the ledger a firm requirement?

Band joist? I never heard that term wouldn’t that be considered a rim board that connects to that ledger..very detailed video I’m glad it’s most brick around here then is definitely way more work lol

Very informative and well made video, thanks for sharing.

Great video. Great visuals.

EXCELLENT video. Thank you.

Loved this video, thanks! I am installing a covered porch and even though this is for a deck, I believe it should be the same procedure when attaching the roof of the porch to the house... I have vinyl siding, so I will be removing it, apply the flash, then apply the waterproof tape in a shingle type manner (overlapping)... then the 2x8... Now should I look for some type of beam to attach? Or I could I just attach to the house wall itself?

Does the one piece of membrane go all the way across behind the ledger?

Great job. Thank you

What do you think about leaving a 1/2 inch gap between the ledger board and house?

Thanks

Great video 🧰

Can I put water barrier over the band joist without exterior sheathing? Or should I just add the exterior sheathing. I ask because I currently don’t have sheathing where I want to put a ledger board.

Nice tips.

What's the best day of the week to come out to the school to meet you, Ben, and do some inspection on the house of horrors?

i think it would be easier and cheaper to just build a free standing deck that is NOT attached to the house . No removal of existing siding is necessary and no complicated sealing system is needed .

we plan to put int 2x12 ledger board but there's no band joist on the other side. how do we make the ledger more secure?

Ok so ive always wondered why top metal flashinng is installed jjust shrt of edge. I install mine passing ledger 1". Then i snip and bnd metal over side f ledger so water does not rot ledger an or enter structure.

So what purpose does the bottom flashing under the joist serve?

Very helpful thank you

that flashing on the bottom of the ledger is a great spot to trap water and rot a ledger. absolutely not needed. also, you mentioned putting the upper metal flashing BEHIND the ledger? makes no sense. totally agree with the ledger locks though.

Bought my house back in October. Having some trouble with rotting of siding and the deck. No house wrap, membrane or flashing was installed. Don't have the money to get the whole thing re done right now. What do you suggest I do without uninstalling the ledger board. in the meantime til I'm ready? Flashing and membrane on to and bottom of membrane. One of the big reasons water was being brought to the area was also due a gutter leak from an improper installed gutter from above. Fixed that. So I'm hoping with some replaced siding it will be ok for 5 years or so. But, want to water proof as best as possible so it lasts as long as possible.

House of horrors.........same address of my mother-in-law!

Does it matter if the fastener used to connect the ledger board to the house rim joist hits a house joist? Or do all tips need to be seen from inside the house? Also how far from the left or right end of ledger board to the fastener/anchors need to be? Thank you.

What is the function of the flashing installed under the ledger? (See 5:44) Seems ridiculous to me.

After ledger board is installed do they normally piece in siding (onto the leger board itself) in between joists to hide it or is it recommended to leave it exposed so it can dry out ?

So do I watch this then change things accordingly to what the comments say

If that was pressure treated we would need a barrier between the metal flashing and the ledger i assume

Send The Ledger flashing down in between The Ledger and the deck joist an inch

Cutting the house wrap, is that a good idea? I've seen others where the tape behind the ledger is judt put on the paper and left.

Does the flashing have to be metal? We literally just gave house wrap and “flashing tape”

Z flashing is what I've always used. That looks like roof drip edge to me. No?

Anyone that says they like building code books has problems “love this book” lol

I am working on a deck and want to use the Deck2Wall spacers. They say they are code compliant. Have you heard of these and if you have can you put together a similar video discussing installation using spacers?

What about a slab that is up against the rim joist so that the step out to slab is minimal?

What if the top of the ledger board is where brick begins??

New here...just bought an old fixer upper where the previous owner was a DIY graduate of House Of Horrors University, lol! He should never go to Vegas; he had a 50/50 chance of doing things right and usually got it wrong.

really bottom drip edge should not contact wood at bottom, 1/8" at least

very good

How is the wrap above the top flashing installed around a sliding glass door?

hard to see the function of the flashing at the bottom of the ledger brd, just let the paper run down past the ledger?

Is flashing required when the porch is cover via a roof but not enclosed?

why put flashing on the bottom? Doesn't that just leave a place for water to sit in contact with wood?

Why is the bottom flashing there? That seems like it would catch water and rot ledger board.

Is this necessary or new? We use to use the copper roll flashing and that was it and always passed

Why can't I put the ledger board over my marcenite siding, because the siding is exposed to the weather, anyway?

What is the purpose of the bottom flashing?

I just found out flashing was not installed on my newly installed deck. Do I need to disassemble the whole thing to install flashing?

Hi nice video, do your have some with real stone walls? Thanks.

So... it's "shingle-like fashion" then?

What is Best way to find patio cover ledgers for back yard??? Anyone ????

needs more samples for difects and mistakes

Ben were you in Idaho 2 weeks ago?

Why doesn't anyone make a video of a ledger got a covered porch/patio??? I see it might be similar, but double flashing wont work...