Cement screws, what’s best?

[BlackdogGS]

I’m mounting a 2X10 to the side of my foundation so I can extend my deck. I used the Tapcon 1/4” screws. Many of them snapped off while others stripped the threads not allowing me to tighten them fully. Is there a better method?

 

[LXCam]

Interesting, I’ve never had much issue with them. Are you pre-drilling with the right size?

Beyond that, if this is a ledger tapcons wouldn’t be my choice.

 

[gleman]

I think your going to need bigger fasteners for a ledger. Did you look into expansion anchors or epoxy anchors?

I've had good luck with Tapcons after I decided to follow the directions on the package, I messed up the first few thinking I knew better.

Good luck!

 

[BlackdogGS]

Maybe I do need somthing bigger, I’m searching that now.

 

[The Cobbler]

pretty sure here you need a 3/8 anchor. tapcons don't cut it

 

[reader2580]

Is this a permitted job? If so, have you checked with the building department to make sure those are acceptable fasteners? How do you think those will hold the load if they are snapping on installation?

 

[Jeff95TA]

This is from the Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide based off of the IRC. You need 1/2" if going into solid concrete/masonry.

 

[Jeff95TA]

 

[oldmachinenut]

I had several break when tightening and never had problems in the past. On closer inspection the ones that broke were “Quality? Chiwanistan knock-offs, they were loose in a bin at the hardware store. I went back and dug out some genuine made in USA tapcons, problem solved.

 

[Jeff95TA]

 

[Jeff95TA]

I can't tell if your wall is hollow masonry, but if so, it technically isn't allowed. But if you go back to an older version of the Code (shown below), they required epoxy or adhesive anchors. You can get ones that are like little umbrellas at the end of the fastener that pop open when pushed through the block. The epoxy fills the umbrella on the inside of the block.

 

[Old tool guy]

If that’s a solid concrete wall, these will work. Get it right the first time, there’s no way to remove them.

 

[jar944]

I can't tell if your wall is hollow masonry, but if so, it technically isn't allowed. But if you go back to an older version of the Code (shown below), they required epoxy or adhesive anchors. You can get ones that are like little umbrellas at the end of the fastener that pop open when pushed through the block. The epoxy fills the umbrella on the inside of the block.

Depends on what version of IRC the locality is following.

 

[Jeff95TA]

Depends on what version of IRC the locality is following.

That looks newer than the ones I had from a while back. What version is that one? Side note: I used the Epcon A7 for my ledger.

 

[jar944]

That looks newer than the ones I had from a while back. What version is that one? Side note: I used the Epcon A7 for my ledger.

2018, (which is the current irc version in Virginia at least)

 

[manwithtools]

I think your going to need bigger fasteners for a ledger. Did you look into expansion anchors or epoxy anchors?

I've had good luck with Tapcons after I decided to follow the directions on the package, I messed up the first few thinking I knew better.

Good luck!

This is very important to do, for instance most require no more than 1-1/2" of screw depth inside the masonry, otherwise they will snap off.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Interesting, I’ve never had much issue with them. Are you pre-drilling with the right size?

Beyond that, if this is a ledger tapcons wouldn’t be my choice.

Same here. I'd use tapcons to hold it in place as you drill and place the actual fasteners but not for the structural load.

 

[nadogail]

Tapcons are good, Hilti is better.

 

[jkuro]

These may be what you need:

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[dcg9381]

I've used Simpson Strong Tie and Red Head (expansion) anchors...

 

[Prospecter]

OP . . .As others have noted, Tapcons won't cut it for a ledger board.

However, I feel your pain with Tapcons. Two tricks that help a lot. 1) Wet the drill bit between holes. 2) Blow the dust out of the holes.

 

[Chris705]

And third …. Be sure the drilled depth is greater than the intended depth of the screw threads.

 

[gleman]

OP . . .As others have noted, Tapcons won't cut it for a ledger board.

However, I feel your pain with Tapcons. Two tricks that help a lot. 1) Wet the drill bit between holes. 2) Blow the dust out of the holes.

The first time I had to do shelving on a block wall with Tapcons was an eye opener for me.

I read the directions on all unfamiliar stuff now.

#2 Blow out the dust. Don't half-*** try to get it out with a vacuum!

 

[stillnostrebor]

The table in post #13 is what you want. Nice posting!

Tapcons are fantastic for holding stuff while you really fasten it, holding grout formwork, attaching lightweight items, etc. They are not fantastic for load bearing work, unless they are the really big expensive structural ones they sell.

 

[BlackdogGS]

This is what I have available locally, I just need to figure out the diameter and length. After I get that figured out it should be an easy install. Thanks

The table in post #13 is what you want. Nice posting!

Tapcons are fantastic for holding stuff while you really fasten it, holding grout formwork, attaching lightweight items, etc. They are not fantastic for load bearing work, unless they are the really big expensive structural ones they sell.

 

[BlackdogGS]

The table in post #13 is what you want. Nice posting!

Tapcons are fantastic for holding stuff while you really fasten it, holding grout formwork, attaching lightweight items, etc. They are not fantastic for load bearing work, unless they are the really big expensive structural ones they sell.

Ya, been studying that. Looks like I need 1/2” bolts. I’m going into solid cement.

 

[dcg9381]

Hammer drill. Only way to go into cement.

 

[bluedog225]

It’s actually lucky the tapcons broke.

On noncritical stuff, I oversized the hole and stick a piece of pine or cedar, or wire in the hole. Works great.

 

[TomC750]

I vote for Redheadheads of either type. They have tremendous holding power. I would go 3/8 or larger.

 

[PoorUB]

I put a deck on the back of our house. The city required 1/2" Redheads or wedge anchors I used about one per foot by their requirements.

 

[egdede]

Some one else called out for Hilti, these will do the job and are much easier to deal woth than expansion anchors:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MVMK86G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Some one else called out for Hilti, these will do the job and are much easier to deal woth than expansion anchors:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MVMK86G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That is exactly what the contractor is using on the wall base plate of my garage build.

 

[Old tool guy]

This is what I have available locally, I just need to figure out the diameter and length. After I get that figured out it should be an easy install. Thanks

Figure you’re going to lose 2” for the thickness of the 2x and the nut, and you want the anchor 2” deep.

 

[Criss]

I've used 1/2 simson strong tie "Titan" concrete anchors. i've seen sleeve anchors and lag shields used.

 

[duneslider]

Wedge anchors are always accepted by cities for ledger boards. Titans are not always accepted and you may need an engineers note for that.
Most cities (in my area) nowadays are allowing Titans and epoxy anchors for sill plates without an engineer's note, however, most engineers are putting a note in their calcs that the typical 5/8 j-bolts can be replaced by the corresponding Titans or epoxy anchors.

We do a lot of anchoring to concrete at work and Titans are not always accepted and we have more issues with Titans than wedge anchors, most of our anchoring requires special inspections, so they are torque-tested and/or pull-tested. We rarely use Titans due to the amount of issues we have had with them.

 

[nadogail]

Hilti Kwick Bolts have been good for me.

 

[BlackdogGS]

I ended up using 1/2 X 4 1/4” Cobra wedge bolts. Thanks for everyone’s help.

 

[budget76]

that aint going anywhere!

 

[Old tool guy]

Take a piece of deck board, drill large holes in the back for the anchor bolts, and use it as a vanity cover for the exposed ledger.

 

[BombShelter]

Nice! Just curious what you used to drive the original Tapcons, I've used my little Makita Impact and never had a head snap but I'm doing fairly small screws.