Alternatives to embedded concrete anchors

[yousah]

My builder messed up on where he installed the concrete anchors in my slab. The code calls for the "L" anchors to be embedded 7" into the concrete.

He got the spacing all wrong and actually installed anchors in areas where there will be doors. He cut those off (leaving an ugly floor) and now I'm left with adding some anchors.

I'll be calling the building inspector tomorrow, but wanted some advice from others. Does anyone know if the wedge anchors of a certain length would give me the same strength as the "L" anchors?

 

[RivennHewn]

Yes, they will.

But, you'll need an engineers detail/approval for it to pass inspection.

Your builder should know this, and be ready to take care of it himself.

 

[ford33]

Your contractor will need to resolve the issue with guidance from your local building and zoning department. It's not the first time this has happened so there is likely a pre-approved solution to this problem.

 

[yousah]

Thanks guys. We're located in an unincorporated area with only county zoning. The bldg. dept guy isn't super technical and I'm trying to no rely upon him. There's a local engineering company that I plan on calling to tomorrow.

 

[RivennHewn]

Another option would be to contact Hilti, and see what they could do for you.

https://www.hilti.com/customer-service

 

[yousah]

Thanks, I already have the contact info for the company that makes the Red Head anchors. They're located about an hour away from me in case I need to pickup some anchors without waiting for shipping.

 

[Angelfire]

There's also an option to use epoxy and anchors. Check with your local inspector to see what he will accept. It's far from the end of the world, my concrete guy missed a few as well. We just epoxied them in with one of these (can't remember which and I'm 6000 miles from home to look):

http://www.strongtie.com/products/anchorsystems/adhesives/

Cheers.

 

[Nicholas]

We usually use epoxy in these situations. Epoxy bolts typically require a deputy inspection. I don't think wedge anchors do. Check with your inspector to confirm.

 

[yousah]

Our building inspector will accept any product that is ICC approved. I'm waiting on a call back from a structural engineer to see if they can design a bolt schedule for me. The building inspector will accept whatever the structural guy says.

We're having lots of problems with our builder and I just found out that he has some significant family problems that probably explain his bad attitude and his rush to get the job done without doing it properly.

 

[ford33]

If the builder is having problems now and he only has the foundation in place, how will the rest of your build be done? Is the build quality going to be acceptable to you?

Maybe it's time to make some decisions after talking with him. If he cannot perform and build a simple garage now, he should let you know so you can look for an alternative builder or delay construction or have him assign an alternate manager.

I didn't read your contract but you are paying substantial money to have a safe and correct structure built. Why are you dealing with this issue when it is entirely his/her responsibility?

 

[yousah]

We are in the process of getting rid of him. I had the bldg inspector over today and he is going to write up a list of violations. We're looking for a replacement builder and their part of the job will be some fast framing now that the walls are up. I'm going to do the bolt repair because it's easy once I get the specifications from the engineer, but will hire someone new to complete the structure.

 

[mjweimer]

Hey yousah.

I used the Simpson Titen HD "screws" as an alternative to the J-bolts on a slab on grade project.

Check out the link below to see if they have something to fit the application/code in your area.

http://www.strongtie.com/products/anchorsystems/mechanical/titen-hd/

Be careful with the wedge anchor idea since there can be issue with the inserting these type of anchors close to a slab edge. Each Mfg. specifies the minimum installed distance from a slab edge for their anchors.

 

[yousah]

Thank you for that information. I meet the structural engineer on Tuesday and will see what he has to stay. I sort of like the idea of the epoxy mounted versions as it would appear that they place less stress on the concrete because the initial drilled hole is larger than many of the 'screwed in' versions.

In any event, I'm guessing that many of the post-installed bolt options would work and it might just come down to which product I can buy locally.

I had another builder over yesterday for a quote and we checked how plumb the walls were and there's one wall that needs work. I'm renting a laser next week and we'll spend the first day fixing mistakes.

 

[brownbagg]

epoxy works good, I put 30,000 lbs on a bolt and never got it to move, i strip the nut off the end.

 

[yousah]

The structural guy recommended a 6" embedment using threaded rod that is epoxied in. I can get the Red Head brand of epoxy locally, so he suggested the use of their C6+ product. They have that in either a single, or dual, cartridge. I'm going with the single because the dispenser gun is about $100 cheaper and not something I'll likely have to use again.