Fix for Front Porch that doesn’t require full rebuild

I noticed the ledger board (outer board under deck original white) to my front porch was rotting out, as the first step to what really is a landscaping project, I hoped I could just rip it off and replace. Of course the rim joist behind is partially rotted as well. Doesn’t look like they used treated wood or flashing or anything. The posts behind the rim hood look ok. It’s kind of frankensteined from an old cmu porch but they look solid. My original plan was to replace the ledger board and actually install some treated 2x4s in front of the ugly fake stucco cement board with a lattice to allow some jasmine to grab on. I’m wondering if I can either just sister on the rim joist/ledger into the sturdy posts. More likely I was thinking I could sister an entire wall structure in front which would double as a lattice structure and decking support. In that case what’s the minimum I should do for the sisters wall to rest on? I guess I know I’m asking to do it wrong, but if it lasts me 5 years I’m ok with that. Anything I can/should do to the existing rotting board? submitted by /u/cantankerouspuss [link] [comments]

Jun 1, 2025 - 17:44

I noticed the ledger board (outer board under deck original white) to my front porch was rotting out, as the first step to what really is a landscaping project, I hoped I could just rip it off and replace. Of course the rim joist behind is partially rotted as well. Doesn’t look like they used treated wood or flashing or anything. The posts behind the rim hood look ok. It’s kind of frankensteined from an old cmu porch but they look solid.

My original plan was to replace the ledger board and actually install some treated 2x4s in front of the ugly fake stucco cement board with a lattice to allow some jasmine to grab on. I’m wondering if I can either just sister on the rim joist/ledger into the sturdy posts. More likely I was thinking I could sister an entire wall structure in front which would double as a lattice structure and decking support. In that case what’s the minimum I should do for the sisters wall to rest on?

I guess I know I’m asking to do it wrong, but if it lasts me 5 years I’m ok with that.

Anything I can/should do to the existing rotting board?

submitted by /u/cantankerouspuss
[link] [comments]