Anchoring a Ledger to a Block Wall

Latch a tape measure's tang to the end of the ledger board. Draw the tape across the board. Mark the locations of anchors along the length of the board; refer to local codes for spacing requirements. Butt a square against the edge of the board. Align the square with a mark and use a pencil to draw a line across the face of the board, through the mark, perpendicular to the board's length. Draw a line through each anchor mark.

Stretch the tape measure along one of the perpendicular lines. Use a pencil to mark the anchor hole's height along the line. Some installations call for centered anchors, others for dual anchors; refer to local codes for specific requirements.

Attach a wood bit to the power drill. Drill through each of the anchor-hole marks on the ledger board. Use a tape measure and pencil to mark the desired height of the ledger on the wall. Lift the ledger, place the ledger flush against the wall and align the ledger with the height mark. Set a level on top of the ledger. Use the level to adjust the ledger to a horizontally level position.

Press the pencil's tip through the ledger's holes and mark the position of each hole on the wall. Remove the ledger from the wall. Place a level across the hole marks and use the level to check the relative levelness of the holes. If necessary, adjust the position of the hole marks to ensure that the ledger's anchor holes are horizontally level.

Attach a masonry bit to a hammer drill. Bore into the concrete block wall at each hole mark. Drill to a depth that allows the anchor's threaded shank to protrude well beyond the ledger's surface. Consult your concrete anchor manufacturer's specifications to determine proper hole depth.

Thread a nut and washer onto each masonry wedge anchor. Align the ledger board with the holes on the block wall. Insert an anchor through the ledger and into the wall at each hole. While holding the ledger against the wall, pound the tip of an anchor until the anchor's butt expands and grips the sides of the hole. Hammer the remaining anchors to secure them to the wall.

Attach a wrench to an anchor's nut. Twist the wrench clockwise to tighten the nut and snug the ledger against the wall. Tighten the remaining anchors to secure the ledger to the block wall.