How to Brace a Patio Cover to a Brick House

When connecting a patio to a house, secure the patio cover to the exterior wall with a rafter board. Rafter boards help support the patio rafters, which in turn serve as a framework for the patio cover. Brick exterior walls alone do not have the structural integrity to support the pressure of an attached patio. Ensure a stable patio cover by attaching it not only to the bricks but also to an internal framing member of the house, such as a second story band joist.

Rafter board
Drill
Level
Chalk
Hammer drill
Masonry bit
Carriage bolts
Hex nuts
Slip lock washers

Instructions

- 1
  Outline the spots along the rafter board where the rafter ends will abut. Rafters can be spaced from 12 to 24 inches apart.
- 2
  Drill pilot holes for the carriage bolts that will secure the rafter board to the wall. Space the pilot holes 16 inches apart, avoiding the outlined locations where the rafter ends will sit. Alternate the position of each pilot hole so half sit toward the top of the rafter board and half sit toward the bottom.
- 3
  Set the rafter board against the brick wall at the desired height. Place a level on top of the rafter board to check for horizontal alignment. Trace around the board with chalk to mark its position. Mark the carriage bolt pilot holes.
- 4
  Create pilot holes for the carriage bolts in the wall. Drill through the brick and the framing member, using a hammer drill with a masonry bit.
- 5
  Position the rafter board back against the wall within the chalked outline. Slip carriage bolts through the holes. Screw hex nuts with slip lock washers onto the ends of the carriage bolts to lock the rafter board in place.

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