Hello,
I am building a 8′ x 15′ rectangle deck. I would like to attach the ledger to my house. Although, I have run into an issue. The floor joists run from the inside of my house and become deck joists, leaving me without a rim joist. What is the best way to install a rim joist so I am able to install a ledger? Do I need to cut the floor joists 2′” to accommodate the rim joist and if so what is the best way to cut the floor joist? Or could I add blocking between the joists? is this enough to support the ledger? Looking forward to any suggestions.
I have attached photos for reference.
Thank you,
Ryeman11
Replies
That is a bad setup because when the deck joists begin to rot, the house joists become involved. I would demo the existing deck and cut the joists back 2 in. into the house as you suggest. An oscillating multitool will be your best friend here. Then I'd install the rim joist to the ends of the cut joists with structural screws such as GRK RSS.
I'm a little nervous because the new rim joist won't be attached to the subfloor and wall plate as would be typical. That connection provides some lateral load bearing. I would toe-screw through the new rim up into the wall assembly, but I'd also double up on the required lateral load connectors on the deck ledger.
FYI - here are the lateral load connectors. I agree - I'd over engineer it.
Get rid of the joist penetrations. As Andy said, those deck joists will be rotting sometime and you don't want that spreading to your house. Cut the joist back, I've used by themselves or in some combination, circular saw, Sawzall, jig saw, and the ultimate tool if you have room, a chain saw. Get a PT rim joist in, seal it with liquid flashing or tape and start your deck from there. I'd also want several layers of blocking behind that for the bolts to bite on.