rotting plywood replacement - DIY Chatroom

pbert · 11-01-2009, 07:17 PM

I am replacing a deck and there is some slight deteriotation of the plywood behind the ledger , I am replacing that part of the ledger but I am hesitant to cut the plywood out and open up a can of worms. Will the rotting continue if the wood is protected and remains dry?

NailedIt · 11-01-2009, 08:49 PM

You could just cover it up and hope for the best... but that wouldn't be the right thing to do. You ought to inspect behind the sheathing to make sure your house is sound, i.e. no walls are going to collapse because you loaded up your deck with more weight than a rotted out wall/joists could support. You probably won't find anything like that, but even if you do, it's not all that much effort to repair. You'd probably already have noticed water damage inside your home if there was enough penetration to rot the framing out to that extent.

pbert · 11-01-2009, 09:35 PM

Thanks for the reply, yes I did check inside and around and there is no apparent sign of any water penetration. I usually do not take the easy way out but figured if it will not continue to rot or make anything else rot, what is the difference, it is just sheathing and not structural and is a very small amount, agreed?

buletbob · 11-02-2009, 07:23 AM

make sure you install flashing along the new ledger board. If the old one was flashed or flashed properly you would not be doing this repair. Good luck.

pbert · 11-02-2009, 08:15 AM

yup, thanks, already on the flashing, it is difficult to get under the shingles/siding however.