Attaching 8" deck joists to 6" ledger?


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Old 09-30-16, 09:42 PM
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Attaching 8" deck joists to 6" ledger?

The old, existing ledger is in decent shape. It's 6" and flashed. My new deck is going to have 8" joists.

I'm building the deck in a way that *can* be detached from the house. But, I figured I might as well couple the rim joist to the existing ledger. Today, I realized the ledger is only 6".

I really don't feel like pulling that ledger out and reworking it for an 8" one, unless it's absolutely necessary or easier than I think. It's nailed on there pretty good and seems like that'd be a big project.

So my plan was to build it free-floating, but attach the rim joist to the existing ledger.

Should I just make this deck freestanding? Or go ahead and attach the 8" rim joist to the 6" ledger anyway?

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Old 10-01-16, 03:46 AM
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You can't just attach your new ledger, as pictured, to the existing ledger. It must be attached "through" it and into the band of the house. Simply, to would be better to remove the 2x6 and replace it with your new ledger. You can, then, see what is behind it, and if there is a problem, correct it at that time. If no problem, your existing flashing will be fine since it is not attached to the ledger at all.
 
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Old 10-01-16, 05:32 PM
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It's nailed on there pretty good
If this is how the current ledger is actually attached, that's not good at all.

So my plan was to build it free-floating, but attach the rim joist to the existing ledger.
Contradiction in terms - cannot be free standing if it's attached to the house.
 
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Old 10-01-16, 08:39 PM
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it's attached with bolts & washers, but I also see nails.

I think I see the point here about really doing the attachment right. If lag screws are used, and the land shifts, then the lag screws could tear out the wood, creating more problems. A through-bolt, on the other hand, would have a washer on the opposite side which would be a much more solid connection.
 
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Old 10-02-16, 03:01 AM
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A through bolt will have washers on both ends. Using a 1/2" bolt, you would use a 3/4" washer under the head of the carriage bolt and a 1/2" washer on the nut end, spreading its ability to hold the ledger.
 
 

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