Front porch re-do

Use a hammer drill to make new holes for the lag bolts and shields. Rent one if you can't borrow one. The holes will take 20 seconds instead of 20 minutes each. Your back will thank you.

You can also use epoxy to anchor the bolts.

Don't overtighten the bolts. You might crack the concrete.

Use pressure-treated (PT) wood for the ledger.

Use hangers for the joists.

Use double-hot-dipped hardware to fasten to PT wood. Don't buy the cheap electroplated stuff. The zinc coating is too thin, and you'll rub most of it off going into the wood.

Put a z-flange (also called a drip cap) on top of the ledger so water doesn't run behind it. It will last longer.

Make the porch slope away from the house about 1/4" per foot so water drains off.

Thanks! How does one butt joists and lay the "decking" if there's a flange over the ledger?

I guess a pic might help... looking...

OK - I get it... but there's plenty of overhang over the ledger anyway - original shingles + foam + vinyl siding. The ledger wood itself is good - the nails must have rusted from years and years of atmospheric exposure. I think the ledger is original to the house.

Some of the water you need to worry about is condensation from behind the shingles, foam, and siding. It comes down when the weather is just right--or just wrong. :-)

The flashing is supposed to go behind all the exterior wall covering, including the vapor barrier. That way, any condensation won't be trapped behind the ledger.