Deck Installation

[David Block]

I was at a newly built home a few days ago and saw a deck installation that was less than desirable. The home was clad in vinyl siding. The deck was properly offset and bolted to the house however there was no siding on the back side of the ledger board. The siding stopped at the top of the deck. There was no flashing installed. The siding then was installed below the ledger board but nothing behind the ledger board except the tyvek house wrap. There was no flashing above or below the ledger board. What would be an appropriate remedy to this problem outside of tearing the deck off and starting over?

[Scott Patterson]

I was at a newly built home a few days ago and saw a deck installation that was less than desirable. The home was clad in vinyl siding. The deck was properly offset and bolted to the house however there was no siding on the back side of the ledger board. The siding stopped at the top of the deck. There was no flashing installed. The siding then was installed below the ledger board but nothing behind the ledger board except the tyvek house wrap. There was no flashing above or below the ledger board. What would be an appropriate remedy to this problem outside of tearing the deck off and starting over?

There is no other option if the deck is to be installed properly.

[David Block]

I was hoping that would be a good option. I don't anyone wants to hear that tearing off the deck is the only way to fix it. Thanks for the information.

[Corn Walker]

I was at a newly built home a few days ago and saw a deck installation that was less than desirable. The home was clad in vinyl siding. The deck was properly offset and bolted to the house however there was no siding on the back side of the ledger board. The siding stopped at the top of the deck. There was no flashing installed. The siding then was installed below the ledger board but nothing behind the ledger board except the tyvek house wrap. There was no flashing above or below the ledger board. What would be an appropriate remedy to this problem outside of tearing the deck off and starting over?

The siding should stop above the top of the deck (some manufacturers specify a minimum of 2" above the decking). Your description indicates a lack of the proper flashing at the ledger board. This can be remedied by removing the first course of decking at the wall and the lower rows of siding. You can then install the z flashing that was supposed to have been there by making an incision in the Tyvek to tuck the flashing underneath. Adhere the bottom portion of the Tyvek to the sheathing using a 6" self-adhered flashing material like Grace Vicor Plus self-adhered flashing. Then tuck the z flashing shown in Scott's diagram underneath the upper portion of the Tyvek and seal using another course of self-adhered flashing. While you have the decking removed, you may want to protect the joist ends with Grace Vycor Deck Protector since the joist ends are an area where water often accumulates. Then replace the decking and siding courses.

[Randy Aldering]

That would be a good fix.