Bracket assembly, shim member for use with a bracket member and methods of assembly and use

A bracket assembly for attachment to an outside surface, the bracket assembly comprising:

• a bracket member including:
• a body wall having a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge, and a front and a back opposite the front;
• a first end wall extending from the bottom edge and substantially perpendicular to the body wall, the first end wall extending away from the front of the body wall, with the first end wall including a lower surface;
• a second end wall extending from the top edge and substantially perpendicular to the body wall, the second wall extending away from the back of the body wall so that the first end wall and the second end wall extend substantially in opposite directions relative to each other and the body wall;
• at least one shim member, each of the at least one shim member including:
• a body having a top side and a bottom side;
• an upper seal layer extending over the top side, and being more flexible than the body;
• a lower seal layer extending over the bottom side, and being more flexible than the body;
• a fastener opening defined through the body, the upper seal layer and the lower seal layer, wherein a portion of each of the upper seal layer and the lower seal layer surround the fastener opening;
• wherein the upper seal layer of each of the at least one shim member engages the lower surface of the first end wall with the upper seal layer sealingly engages the lower surface of the first end wall about the fastener opening;
• and
• wherein the lower seal layer of each of the at least one shim member is structurally configured to engage an outside surface sealingly engaging the outside surface about the fastener opening;
• and
• wherein a fastener is structurally configured to be extendable through the first end wall, the fastener opening and into the outside surface.