How to Attach a Ledger Board to Concrete

When adding a wooden deck to your home, you have the choice of making it free-standing or attaching it to the concrete foundation. With a free-standing deck, you use support beams and cement footings. When you attach the deck to the foundation, you use a ledger board. The ledger board becomes part of the framing, supporting the joists. To attach the board you must take accurate measurements, use a special drill and drill bit and concrete anchors. When properly installed, the deck will be sturdy and long-lasting.

Tape measure
Circular saw
Pencil
Drill with drill bits
Masonry bit
Hammer drill
Masking tape
Safety goggles
Shop vac
1/2-inch sleeve anchors
Hammer
Adjustable wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Measure and cut the ledger board to the desired length. Use a tape measure and make two reference marks every 12 inches along the board. Make the marks evenly spaced within the width of the board.
- 2
  Drill holes through the ledger board at each of these marks using a drill equipped with a 1/2-inch drill bit.
- 3
  Hold the ledger board against the concrete foundation with the aid of an assistant. Use a pencil and make a mark through the holes onto the foundation. Set the ledger board to the side.
- 4
  Attach a 1/2-inch masonry bit to a hammer drill. Cut a small piece of masking tape and wrap it around the bit to use as a depth guide. The depth should be 1/2 inch to 1 inch deeper than the anchors. For example, make the holes 4 1/2 inches to 5 inches deep when using a 4-inch anchor and wrap the tape around the bit at this length.
- 5
  Put on safety goggles. Drill a hole into the concrete at each of the reference marks. When the tape around the bit touches the foundation, back the drill out. Clean out each hole; use a shop vac to suck out all dust and debris.
- 6
  Hold the ledger board up against the concrete with the aid of an assistant. Insert a sleeve anchor into each hole. Tap the anchor using a hammer until the anchor's washer is flush with the ledger board.
- 7
  Tighten each anchor's nut by hand. Finish by tightening each nut with three or four full turns of a wrench. Be careful not to over-tighten.

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