I'll take any advice offered. The ledger board I just tore off was installed over the siding and this was new construction. I bought a book on decks, guess I better start reading that part.
I'm not a sore as I expected for a 62 year old computer jockey.
Ledger failure is the #1 problem with deck collapses, by far. Their are several prescriptive ways to attach it, the easiest that I know of is to get some Simpson SDS screws (available at Home Depot). They are a galvanized 1/4" diameter hex head screw. You need to use three (3) of them - 3" length is plenty - in each joist cavity (provided, of course, that your joists are spaced 16" on center), in a diagonal pattern. Just be sure to mark your joists on the ledger first so the SDS screws don't fall where they go.
If you want a little more detailed description PM me and we'll discuss. Any other items you need, LMK.