# How would you report on... **URL:** \ **Category:** Exterior Inspections\ **Created:** [June 23, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081 "2012-06-23T21:03:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![canderson5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/canderson5/32/1814_2.png) [@canderson5](https://forum.nachi.org/u/canderson5)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/1 "2012-06-23T21:03:37Z")
…A deck with a ledger attached using carriage bolts inserted from the interior through the band joist and then through brick veneer? ---
**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 9:08pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/2 "2012-06-23T21:08:21Z")
> [@canderson5](#): > > …A deck with a ledger attached using carriage bolts inserted from the interior through the band joist and then through brick veneer? How long the bolts and what size? Pics? ---
**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/3 "2012-06-23T21:11:40Z")
[Ledger Board Attachment to Brick Siding](http://www.decks.com/Deckbuilding/Ledger_Board_Attachment_to_Brick_Siding) ![Ledger diagram brick veneer.JPG](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/6/3/63d1ea2b36862bb353d17a12c9507567e0f9683c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/4 "2012-06-23T21:20:24Z")
> [@mlarson](#): > > [Ledger Board Attachment to Brick Siding](http://www.decks.com/Deckbuilding/Ledger_Board_Attachment_to_Brick_Siding) **That graphic in itself is very misleading!!!** **You need to read the very last sentence to get to the truth of the install!!!** > [@](#): > > Brick may look like a sturdy wall to attach a deck to but that is not the case. Brick is only a siding and should never support much of the load if any at all. You should never attach a deck to just the brick. You should always go through the house band joist or house foundation wall and carriage bolt the deck to the home. The brick isn’t attached to the home well enough to prevent a load shift and keep the deck from pulling way from the house all together. The deck may fall and take down the entire wall of bricks. When bolting on the ledger with any bolts you choose, do not tighten the bolt enough to crush the air space behind the brick wall. If the bolts are too tight, the wall can buckle, and the bricks above may fall down on top of you. **If you are attaching the deck to a brick wall, most of the load should be resting on a beam set close to the home**. **In other words, it should be a Free-standing deck!!!** **Is it???** ---
**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/5 "2012-06-23T21:25:00Z")
> [@jjonas](#): > > **That graphic in itself is very misleading!!!** > **You need to read the very last sentence to get to the truth of the install!!!** > > **In other words, it should be a Free-standing deck!!!** > > **Is it???** I agree it could be more clear. That is why i asked what size the carriage bolts where. In most cases with would be better to build it as free standing next to brick veneer. ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/6 "2012-06-23T21:39:16Z")
Correct. The size of the bolt is irrelevent, as it should not be tightened to where it “closes” the air gap between the brick and the sheathing, therefore remaining “loose” (not torqued) which over time will continue to loosen, and contribute to deck failure. ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/7 "2012-06-23T21:39:53Z")
Agreed! ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/8 "2012-06-23T21:44:56Z")
I have a picture of what happens to the brick after it is under pressure. ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/9 "2012-06-23T22:02:45Z")
> [@kwood](#): > > I have a picture of what happens to the brick after it is under pressure. Okay, post it. Why do you need someone to ask? Just do it. Be proactive! ---
**Author:** ![gmathias1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/gmathias1/32/194308_2.png) [@gmathias1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/gmathias1)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/10 "2012-06-23T22:12:17Z")
Oh god, I feel the nurse lurking here. Lets not talk bolt size or spacing for awhile.LOL. I agree with you Jeff that it should be freestanding. ---
**Author:** ![ccurrins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ccurrins/32/225758_2.png) [@ccurrins](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ccurrins)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/11 "2012-06-23T22:41:23Z")
> [@canderson5](#): > > …A deck with a ledger attached using carriage bolts inserted from the interior through the band joist and then through brick veneer? I _see_ no issue. “carriage bolts inserted from the interior through the band joist” ---
**Author:** ![canderson5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/canderson5/32/1814_2.png) [@canderson5](https://forum.nachi.org/u/canderson5)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/12 "2012-06-23T22:43:15Z")
Yes, Kevin if you post that could I use it to show my client the results of this set up? The bolts were undersized (3/8"), there was no flashing and the bolts didn’t alternate high/low. Multiple posts had shifted or dropped and even one of the beams was bowed away from the house where the two central posts had slid down the slight slope it is built on. So it had many many problems, but I was surprised at the differing opinions on bolting through the brick. I don’t like it and I recommended it be converted to a free standing deck. I was curious what opinions would be present here. I’m not a big fan of carriage bolts either due to the reduced bearing the head will have as compared to a washer. Here’s some photos. ![IMG_4314.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/8/a/8a5d1ccfa3a03eed34af6b23814ae9d3c1f63b8f.jpeg) ![IMG_4310.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/9/d/9dca65fbf8d601017d14edf17a1422f25f7997e6.jpeg) ![IMG_4286.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/a/da6159cc54d4cc858915f2763b200bdfa7d1e635.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ccurrins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ccurrins/32/225758_2.png) [@ccurrins](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ccurrins)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/13 "2012-06-23T22:50:39Z")
> [@canderson5](#): > > Yes, Kevin if you post that could I use it to show my client the results of this set up? > > The bolts were undersized (3/8"), there was no flashing and the bolts didn’t alternate high/low. Multiple posts had shifted or dropped and even one of the beams was bowed away from the house where the two central posts had slid down the slight slope it is built on. So it had many many problems, but I was surprised at the differing opinions on bolting through the brick. I don’t like it and I recommended it be converted to a free standing deck. I was curious what opinions would be present here. > > I’m not a big fan of carriage bolts either due to the reduced bearing the head will have as compared to a washer. Here’s some photos. You didn’t mention all of these problems in first post. 🙂 As for as going through the brick; as long as bolts are correct size/spaced and sealed with caulking at exterior, and of course band joist is sufficient, I see no issue. ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/14 "2012-06-23T23:27:18Z")
> [@canderson5](#): > > Yes, Kevin if you post that could I use it to show my client the results of this set up? > > The bolts were undersized (3/8"), there was no flashing and the bolts didn’t alternate high/low. Multiple posts had shifted or dropped and even one of the beams was bowed away from the house where the two central posts had slid down the slight slope it is built on. So it had many many problems, but I was surprised at the differing opinions on bolting through the brick. I don’t like it and I recommended it be converted to a free standing deck. I was curious what opinions would be present here. > > I’m not a big fan of carriage bolts either due to the reduced bearing the head will have as compared to a washer. Here’s some photos. Here is what I put in the one on deck ledger calcs. Don’t want to go back there again.☹ ![111 Findlay Rd Echo Bay Dec 17 2011 018.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/9/8/986d1c09835b5b08caee027a896946cfb3cc2484.jpeg) ![111 Findlay Rd Echo Bay Dec 17 2011 016.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/0/d/0d06ad0afc12e0f254363083ebf7618a0b9f9a4d.jpeg) ![111 Findlay Rd Echo Bay Dec 17 2011 017.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/d/e/deb2ded30fb6f15fa4fe6755ea3d552d52280c52.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![rcooke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rcooke/32/57038_2.png) [@rcooke](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rcooke)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/15 "2012-06-23T23:31:28Z")
Thanks Guys good string I am sure we all learn from these type of posts. Much appreciated . ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/16 "2012-06-23T23:37:30Z")
Since we all want to learn! What else is wrong? ---
**Author:** ![rcooke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rcooke/32/57038_2.png) [@rcooke](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rcooke)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/17 "2012-06-23T23:44:37Z")
> [@kwood](#): > > Since we all want to learn! What else is wrong? Spindle gap is Too large ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/18 "2012-06-23T23:46:51Z")
That is 1 ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 12:05am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/19 "2012-06-24T00:05:31Z")
> [@ccurrins](#): > > You didn’t mention all of these problems in first post. 🙂 > > As for as going through the brick; as long as bolts are correct size/spaced and sealed with caulking at exterior, and of course band joist is sufficient, I see no issue. Chris… you did see that the brick was/is **Veneer** , correct? [http://www.awc.org/Publications/DCA/DCA6/DCA6-09.pdf](http://www.awc.org/Publications/DCA/DCA6/DCA6-09.pdf) Page 12. ---
**Author:** ![ccurrins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ccurrins/32/225758_2.png) [@ccurrins](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ccurrins)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 12:17am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081/20 "2012-06-24T00:17:39Z")
> [@jjonas](#): > > Chris… you did see that the brick was/is **Veneer** , correct? > > [http://www.awc.org/Publications/DCA/DCA6/DCA6-09.pdf](http://www.awc.org/Publications/DCA/DCA6/DCA6-09.pdf) > > Page 12. In this case it’s not “attached” to the veneer, it’s attached to the band joist. Through the brick veneer. [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/how-would-you-report-on/70081.md?page=2)