just removed an old ledger from the house to get ready to install a new ledger. The old one was improperly installed (2 lag bolts and about 16 rusted nails, the ledger was 12 feet long). So I have my new ledger of 14 feet long, and will be attaching it to the stucco wall. I will describe my plan and please add to it or inject corrections. I am going to drill through the ledger,stucco and wall into the crawl space. I am going to use 1/2 inch carriage bolts with washers/nuts to attach the ledger to the wall. I am putting a sheet of 8 inch wide flashing between the ledger and the wall. There will be a strip of flashing attached to the top of the ledger to prevent water from going between the sheet of flashing and the ledger. Exterior caulking will be used in drilled holes and between the flashing (s) and the ledger.
My question is should I create a gap between the flashing and the ledger using thick washers to allow air flow in this gap to prevent moisture build up? Is this necessary. Any precautions for the stucco? Any other thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
My question is should I create a gap between the flashing and the ledger using thick washers to allow air flow in this gap to prevent moisture build up? Is this necessary. Any precautions for the stucco? Any other thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.