Attaching a ledger board to a brick wall is kind of challenging because bricks have low resistance against tension and torsion loads. On the other hand, if a brick wall is made from old-school materials such as a solid block of rocks or solid masonry, it is even more challenging to attach a ledger board. There is also brick veneer material, which is more popular now. But a beautiful house always requires tons of works.
Whichever kind of brick wall you have, attaching a ledger board requires careful attention. A ledger is a type of board to the wall to support the edges of the deck joists. Installing it is frequently the initial step in deck construction. It is a cross between base and framing.
It will be simpler to build down the remaining foundation after the ledger is securely and correctly in position. Depending on the kind of siding in your home, several installation techniques for ledgers are necessary.
Attaching a ledger board to a brick wall is mostly for the purpose of constructing a deck. So, in this article, we will teach you how to attach a ledger board to a deck. But, before we begin, would you please be aware that, according to some building regulations, the brick veneer can only support the weight of the bricks immediately above it?
So, the first thing to do is know the construction code in your area about attaching a ledger board to bricks. Or you can check with your local building inspector to determine what code applies in your area.
Take note also that most brick walls in homes are typically not structural (they are brick veneer over wood framing). Brick veneer cannot be attached using a ledger; instead, holes must be drilled through the brick and the ledger must be fastened to the underlying structure. Flashing is essential to prevent leaks. Lets see steps of attaching ledger board to brick.
REMEMBER! To prevent the deck from collapsing, the deck ledger board must be appropriately and securely fastened to the building framework. In addition, suitable fasteners must be used, and the ledger must be adequately flashed to minimize rot and insect destruction.
What is flashing?
Flashing refers to small pieces of impermeable material that are to prevent water from entering a structure through a seam or as a component of a weatherproof barrier system.
It was in modern structures to cap water penetration at locations such as smoke stacks, vent pipes, brick walls, window frames, and door openings in the hopes of improving building durability and reducing indoor mold issues.
Metal flashing materials include lead, aluminum alloy, copper, stainless steel, zinc alloy, and many others.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION GUIDE
In any construction activity, a strong foundation is the very first and most important factor to consider. In this case, installing the ledger board is laying the foundation. To make it easier for you, here is the step-by-step installation guide for your deck ledger.
PRE-INSTALLATION STEPS
- Make a thorough inspection of the wall. When we say thorough, we mean checking the quality of the brick wall and inspecting it to see if it is made from strong blocks of stone, clay, or any other material. Identifying the material will give you an idea of how strongly the wall will hold, or if you need additional support.
- Make an exact measurement so that you’ll know where to position your ledger board. (By this point, you should have completed your deck design). The ledger serves as the primary point of reference for all other deck measurements and plans. It shows the deck’s breadth and height.
- The ledger board can be any type of lumber. But as the ledger board is exposed to the weather, treated timber is the most recommended material to use. For a 2-inch piece of timber, use a 4-inch screw. You may use a bigger board if it needs a better connection to the house frame. We suggest the bigger the better because it will be stronger and more stable.
- Most likely, the ledger board you use will be the same size as the deck joists you use. The ledger board will be fastened to the building’s brick wall or the rim joists for the first story.
You will start employing the aluminum flashing in this initial stage. This should be in the space between the ledger board and its mounting point. The ledger board itself must be adequately covered by the flashing.
Place over the pre-drilled hole, and lean your mounting bracket or another mount of choice against the wall. Subtract 3 inches from the width of the deck structure when calculating the length. - Make sure you have all the materials, equipment, and tools needed for the installation. You might or might not be needing any of the following:
Equipment: Step ladder, saw horses, siding brake, and extension cord.
Power tools: cordless screwdriver, chop saw, reciprocating saw, skill saw, drill
Hand tools: caulk gun, metal snips, carpenter pencil, level, siding zip, socket set, drill bit, coping saw, hack saw with a fine blade, tape measure, standard hammer, speed square
Timber: size will be according to your requirements, but a 2” x 10” cut is the usual size for a board ledger.
ACTUAL INSTALLATION
1. It is extremely important to level the timber all the time. It is one of the cardinal rules of carpentry. Building a structure that is out of square is not only an eye sore. More than the aesthetic, it is also not very safe.
attaching ledger board to brick
2. Drill through the brick veneer. Remember the code? The International Residential Code (IRC), Section R507.9.1.1, 2018, states that deck ledgers shall not be supported on stone or masonry veneer. It is understandable for safety purposes. However, it doesn’t mean that you can no longer install a board ledger. By considering safety purposes in high regard, some custom-engineered solutions are approved and recommended.
To accommodate the edge of decking joists, the ledger board will have joist hangers affixed to its outside face. Your timber decking cannot move if it is placed correctly with a solid foundation, ledger board, and joists.
By drilling into the two end supporting holes once again with a masonry drill bit that matches the diameter of your lag bolt anchors, you may enlarge them. Then do the opposite side, and you’re done!
Drill two 6 mm (1/4 inch) pilot holes with a masonry drill bit through the higher pilot holes on either end of the ledger and into the brick behind. Drive the anchor until the head is flush with the mounting bracket in the previously drilled hole (or the wood itself).
Install the anchor using the hammer drill’s nut driver. Over the pre-drilled hole, lean your mounting bracket or another mount of choice against the wall. Subtract 3 inches from the width of the deck structure when calculating the length.
Another alternative is to employ a solid brick ledger board connector. If you want to use this option, here is a YouTube video of the BVLZ ledger board connector
Here are the tools that you will be needing: hammer drill, screw gun, 1 1/8 masonry drill bit, 1 1/8 wood drill bit, pliers, tape measure, chalk line, and speed square.
Here are the steps for using the solid brick ledger board connector:
- Draw a chalk line to make sure the bottom of the ledger is level. At the vertical position compression struts, snap a second chalk line.
- Then, at each ledger plate position along the connector, use the installation template to designate the drilling positions based on the spacing requirements for the deck. This is necessary so that the masonry holes in the template are in centre through the upper chalk line.
- If possible, mark the mortar joint for a simpler installation. Use a one and one eighth inch masonry bit to drill horizontally through the center of the mark. When you feel the bit pierce the veneer, stop.
- At each plate position, drill pilot holes on the left and right to a depth of about 3/8 of an inch, then finish the holes at a 40-degrees.
- Next, decide where on the ledger board each plate will be put. The space between the plates and the board should equal the spacing between the veneer positions.
- By using a 1 and 1/8-inch wood drill bit and drilling straight through the center hole, record the necessary drilling sites at the first spot on the ledger board. Next, on the left and right, drill angled holes at a 40-degree angle for the SD WH screws. Then, carry out the same procedure for every plate placement on the board.
- Leave extra room to subsequently modify the compression strut to the proportions of your project before threading it into the rear of a ledger plate. Placing the ledger board connector in the furthest left position on the ledger board will allow the strut to fit through the plate’s center hole.
- To fasten the plate to the board, insert all six SD connection screws into the tiny holes. Then, repeat plate installation in the position further to the right.
- Make that the compression struts of the two connecting plates fit into the corresponding pre-drilled holes when you push the ledger board against the brick veneer. And then drive the screws through the ledger plate with the necessary 40-degree upward angle.
- Insert the screw into the gusset Channel with the head of the screw pressing down and the shaft of the screw pushing up until the screw reaches the rim board. Finally, after tapping the head to set it, drive the screw into the compression struts with hand tools. Make them straighten against the frame.
3. Install additional foundation support. Some cities require additional foundation support in their building code. Depending on the height of your ledger board, put up a vertical foundational support. The same lumber you can put vertically by drilling through the brick veneer. Or the other option is to stack up blocks of brick under it.
Some More
Depending on the height of your ledger board, there are so many possibilities that you need to consider. You may build a deck with just three posts, but you must use bigger beams and the proper-sized posts. The local building code that you must adhere to for such a project might be provided to you by your building department.
The best recommendation is to draw up a detailed plan of what you want to accomplish, take it to the construction department, and ask them what they consider to be the “minimum” before beefing it up a little. There are fasteners designed expressly for fastening to brick that can be used for this purpose.
If you want to see how it is actually works, you may check out this YouTube channel
4. Install flashing.
Fill the cut line with a sizable amount of silicone caulk. Put the flashing over the ledger board and into the cut line. For a comprehensive image of the ideal flashing placement, please visit our ledger flashing area (although brick flashing will be a bit different).
Never hammer a nail into a flashing. If necessary, use silicone caulk to cover any gaps. Good and efficient flashing spares the board from developing rot and wood decay. It also protects all the parts of the ledger board deck from the effect of extreme weather.
That’s a Wrap, but Before you go …
Now that you’ve read and understand attaching ledger board to brick, you can decide if you can do it. If you are not very confident, it is better to hire an expert to do it for you.
Just a word of caution: acquire the necessary building permit by having your plans approved by the city planning department in your area. Make sure that your plans have approval before purchasing building materials.
