31 Deck Repairs, Designs and Updates To Spruce Up Your Deck

Publish date: 2024-06-14

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Family Handyman

Best Way to Flash a Ledger Board

Deck ledger boards are a common source of water infiltration, and it can be years before you discover the damage caused by water finding its way behind the ledger and into your home. The process for flashing a ledger board (below) may seem a little excessive, but the extra time spent following these steps may save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

  • Install house wrap on the wall several inches higher than where the top of the ledger board will be.
  • Install Z-flashing approved for pressure-treated lumber where the bottom of the ledger will be.
  • Cover the top of the Z-flashing with house wrap tape.
  • Fasten the ledger board over the Z-flashing.
  • Install flashing approved for pressure-treated lumber on top of the ledger.
  • Cover the top of the flashing with window/door flashing tape.
  • Install house wrap over the flashing.
  • Fasten the house wrap to the wall with house wrap tape.
  • Install the siding.

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    Tougher Decking

    Just a few years ago, most manufactured decking was “composite,” which typically meant it was a combination of wood fibers and polymers. Composite was a big improvement over wood, but today most manufacturers offer something even better: “capped” or “shelled” decking.

    The core of capped decking is similar to composite or made from cellular PVC, but that core is covered with a layer of denser, tougher polymer. That means better resistance to scratches, stains and fading. Brands that carry capped decking include Fiberon, Azek.com, TimberTech.com and Trex.com. Paying more usually gets you a thicker or tougher cap, plus deeper texturing and blended coloring for a more natural look. The decking shown, Trex Transcend, is made from 95 percent recycled material and includes a 25-year fade and stain warranty.

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    When to Use Structural Screws

    Structural screws work great for hanging a ledger board and fastening thick framing members. The main advantage of structural screws over traditional lag screws is that they don’t need a pilot hole, which cuts the installation time in half! The Strong-Drive TIMBER Screws shown here have a low-profile head and are driven in with a large Torx bit. An 18-volt impact driver or 1/2-in. drill should be enough to get the job done.

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