Repair to ledger flashing
The existing vinyl deck was not flashed properly. The deck ledger was not flashed properly so water would get in behind the ledger. The previous owners just used some caulking to try to seal between the stucco siding and the deck. There was around a 1/4" gap.
When the new vinyl siding was installed they wrapped it up the wall. They added a drip cap and also applied stucco over the repair. I am concerned about no overlapping mesh on this horizontal seam. Essentially the new stucco and mesh just butts up to the old. I am also concerned about if this horizontal seam starts cracking moisture will get past the stucco and in behind the paper because there probably wasn't enough space to get paper above the cut line. Essentially everything is butted there with no overlap.
I only agreed with this repair because I was told that flashing would be installed up behind the existing flashing but if course nothing ever was and could be. Essentially they moved the weak point from the stucco and deck gap to the butt joint of the old stucco and the new stucco which I'm upset about. The first layer of stucco they put on also is full of cracks which I've been told is normal and the second layer will have no cracks and will provide the water proofing. Please offer any feedback.
A butt joint of stucco seems not very good and I hope I didn't create a bigger headache by trying to be proactive...
Is this repair they performed even legit?
This should be fine. The mortar has shrinkage cracks which will fill in with the finish coat.
Here is how we did a ledger flashing repair back in 2002:
Here is a link to the job: https://www.rtbullard.com/stucco/progress/progress43.htm
When you cut the wall across to put on new tar paper, membrane, or whatever, it is impossible to tuck the tar paper up behind the stucco. We just cut off the tar paper as high as we can to the bottom edge of the patch. We generally seal this to the substrate with tape.
Here is a link to what I said about flashing ledger boards: Attaching a ledger board. This page isn't mobile friendly yet.
We use a chemical bonder in our patches which reduces shrinkage cracks, and bonds well to the join. This patch is fine, however, the way it is done.
This Is the best you can do without tearing down the whole wall.
A couple of observations: It looks as if the deck isn't pitched much, if at all, but it is hard to tell from the picture. This is something that is frequently done, and could lead to premature failure and leaks. Also, it seems the existing stucco is really thin. The thickness should be at least 3/4" This trend to put on thin mortar causes problems.
This seems OK to me as far as I can see. .
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