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Deck ledger flashing before siding and decking checklist

A water-management hold-point checklist for integrating ledger flashing with the existing wall weather-resistive barrier, installing compatible top flashing with end dams or terminations, protecting fastener penetrations and the ledger-to-wall transition, providing drainage behind siding, separating incompatible metals and treated wood, detailing doors and low thresholds, coordinating joist hangers and decking gaps, adding kickout or adjacent roof drainage where relevant, testing vulnerable transitions and photographing the full assembly before siding, trim and deck boards hide it.

6 items to check

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Existing WRB and drainage plane are exposed enough to integrate the new flashing

Critical item

Water should be directed over, not behind, the ledger system.

Top flashing is continuous, sloped and terminated to shed water at ends

Critical item

Water should not run behind ledger or into end grain.

Penetrations and attachment interfaces use compatible approved detailing

Critical item

Fastener holes should not depend solely on exposed caulk.

Flashing, connectors and treated wood are materially compatible

Critical item

Galvanic and chemical corrosion risk should be controlled.

Siding, trim and drainage clearances preserve inspection and drying

Critical item

Finish work should not trap water against ledger.

Full-width and detail photographs are accepted before concealment

Critical item

Future leak diagnosis needs evidence of layered construction.

Use after structural attachment and before siding or decking conceals the ledger. Sealant alone is not a durable substitute for layered flashing. Do not enter unsupported excavations, work below suspended framing, climb incomplete structures, load unbraced decks, remove shoring or test guards by hazardous body loading. Structural changes, ledgers, stairs, guards, electrical work and elevated porches require appropriate design, permits and qualified construction.

Reference standards

  • Locally adopted residential and building requirements, authority having jurisdiction permits and inspection sequence, approved plans and engineering where required, site and soil conditions, property and utility constraints, selected wood, steel, concrete, connector, fastener, flashing, membrane, decking, guard and railing instructions, and signed scope and changes
  • Approved wall and ledger flashing detail, WRB and siding instructions and connector compatibility requirements

    • Tools

  • Approved plans, site survey, permit, product approvals, connector and fastener schedule, material receipts, inspection records and photographs
  • Tape measure, level, camera, string line and owner-safe observation tools; qualified layout, soil, concrete, torque, moisture and structural measurements where needed
  • Qualified designer or engineer, excavator, concrete, framing, waterproofing, electrical and inspection professionals as applicable

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