Remove and seal up cantilevered deck joists
I am removing an old cantilevered deck and will be building a free-standing deck to replace the original deck. I have mostly finished demolition but would like to confirm technique for sealing up old the old joists. The old deck is 5.5 ft above grade and was about 12′ x 7′ in area. I have 12 joists at approximately 12″ OC. There is 2×8 blocking between each joist. Immediately below the deck joists is a 2×8 header inset into the foundation wall for a window that is below the deck. Above the joists is a patio door and stucco on either side of the patio door. A photo is included with this post.
I am in the process of removing the parging that is between the joists and over the window header. Next I will cut off the joists flush with the blocking. I will then see if I can lift the flashing at the base of the stucco in order to slide flashing material under the building paper. I was going to cover the exposed area with Blueskin or Vycor wrap. Depending on how much I can lift the flashing under the stucco, I was going to slide the Blueskin up under the stucco flashing/paper, but I don’t imagine that will be too easy. If that fails, I will need to get some metal flashing under the the paper behind the stucco and over the Blueskin that will cover the joists/header.
As the new deck will cover the area that I will cover with Blueskin, do I need to put anything over the Blueskin or can I leave it exposed? Any experience with it peeling off in time? Could I parge directly over the Blueskin?
Any other suggestions for sealing up the joist/header area?
Thanks in advance.
Steve
Replies
The flashing that's at the bottom of the stucco will be attached fairly well so I don't see any chance of getting anything up behind it more than 1/4" to 1/2", but do you really need more than that given the drip edge on the flashing that's remainging.
I'd add metal flashing over the ends of the joists tucked up tight under the existing flashing as far as it will go and be done with it.