Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 2/9/2012

Question
Hi,

I want to install an attached pergola to my stucco wall.  The ledger has to be attached to the stud walls, but how do you locate the stud walls covered up by the stucco?
Thanks.


William

Answer
Hi William, most stud framed walls have studs spaced at 16" on center.  By locating one definite stud in the wall you want to attach to you should be able to find the rest of the studs you need by measuring.  Obviously the trick is finding that initial stud.  The easiest and quickest way is to go inside the house and look at the interior face of the wall in question.  Look for an electrical outlet.  Electrical outlet boxes are generally mounted on a stud.  Using a hammer and a nail and poking a hole or two in the drywall with the nail you should be able to find a stud.  There are also stud finders available to buy at most hardware stores to aid in the process.  Once you find the stud, measure 16" each way and again with the nail probe verify the stud layout is 16".  Once this is done look for a common opening (door or window in the same wall) to measure from.  Always measure from the center of the door or window because the interior edge and the exterior edge of the opening may be different, by finding the center of the door or window it will guarantee that you will hit the stud location at the exterior.   Have a line snapped where your ledger is going to be installed so that you can do your final stud finding within the area where the ledger will be installed, that way if you miss the stud you can drill another hole nearby and you won't have to patch the stucco because the ledger will cover the holes.  Once you locate all your studs, mark their locations at a point slightly above or below the ledger line because once you hold the board up it will cover your marks if you don't. Prior to installing the ledger take some silicone caulking and fill any unwanted pilot holes to avoid potential leaking later.  Mark and drill your first hole somewhere near the center of the board.  If you are using 1/4-1/2" lag bolts make sure your pilot hole is one drill size smaller than the bolt to assure a good fit.  I like to squeeze some caulk into the hole before inserting the bolt to help seal the penetration and caulk, flash or both, the top of the ledger board once it is installed.  Patch the tracer holes in the interior drywall with a dab of painters caulk and touch up with matching paint as needed.  One note: ther are some sophisticated stud finders out there capable of penetrating heavy layers of stucco etc.  if using one of these be sure to read and follow the directions for their use. I hope this information helps please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters.  Sincerely, Bruce Johnson ..bejohnsonconsulting.com