Drilling into Cinder Block

[SalA]

There is much discussion on the best way to hang a heavy object onto a cinder block wall. Many people have mixed results with wall anchors, tapcon screws, toggle bolts and other options hanging on display at Home Depot or other HW stores.

I need to hang a heavy hose reel mechanism onto a cinder block wall. I will cut a block of wood about 1.25" to secure to the wall and then secure the hose reel to the block of wood. My question is what is the best way to secure the wood to the wall where it will be rock solid. In the past, I have used a hammer drill to first get the hole into a concrete wall, only to have the plastic anchor slip out. Others have also had this occur.

Any suggestions that would be best on Cinder Blocks??

 

[Boatman62]

Tapcons over plastic anchors anyday.

 

[manwithtools]

Tapcon's will work just fine in CMU's. No need for wooden block, fasten hose reel directly to the block wall.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

 

[AldeanFan]

Everything in my garage is mounted with tapcons. None have failed yet

 

[WisJim]

I've been using Tapcons for many years with no problems, just make sure to use the proper size drill to make the hole.

 

[Jim greengo]

I like the metal anchors with drive pins myself,hard to remove them though.

 

[dogdog]

it all dependents on your cinder block walls. if it is weaken due to age / moisture etc... the tapcon probably won't stay on it too long.... I have to use that mesh finger (chemical anchors), shelves and bench attached to the wall holds over 500lbs... so far.

sleeve anchor works well on cinder block in good shape... probably not so good idea to use expansion anchors on hollow cinder block walls.

 

[nadogail]

I like the metal anchors with drive pins myself,hard to remove them though.

No matter what method you use, somebody will tell you that their preferred way is better.

The use of wooden pegs, tapped into holes has been prohibited for years.

 

[SlappyWhite]

Some older cinder block is too soft for tapcons. Tapcons are 100% useless in my 1940s double brick home for any of the block (exterior brick is fine), basement and inner course of block are a no-go. I use good quality plastic anchors for smaller items and lags for larger.

Do you think you will ever want to remove the wood you put behind it? If not, PL it to the blocks, the anchors are more or less there just to secure it until it cures.

 

[Jim greengo]

No matter what method you use, somebody will tell you that their preferred way is better.

The use of wooden pegs, tapped into holes has been prohibited for years.

When did that rule go into affect?

 

[Norcal]

No matter what method you use, somebody will tell you that their preferred way is better.

The use of wooden pegs, tapped into holes has been prohibited for years.

The only place where I have seen it in writing is in the electrical code, that being said anchors made for the purpose are better choices.

 

[PopcornSutton]

Tapcons work, if put in the right place. The problem with CMU (concrete masonry units) is when you drill into them, a portion spawls off the inside reducing the amount of grab for the tapcon. If you can locate a web in the CMU and drill into that web, it won't spawl. A corner block does nice.

A wedge anchor, an expanding shield, can work well if in the right place. The best place for those is in a horizontal mortar joint. Much less spawling when drilling and place the wedge so it will be expanding against the top and bottom block.

There are other tricks that can be done if you have no choice where to use an anchor and it falls in the hollow of a block.

 

[The Cobbler]

Tapcons into block wall has seldom failed me . and I've used them many times
use 3/8" screws if you're concerned

 

[Scjarena]

I'd say Tacons like everyone else. I've also used epoxy with studs made from all-thread into old cinder block wall and it held up great. You have to use quality epoxy, some of the box store stuff is not good.

 

[aafadca]

Tapcon's will work just fine in CMU's. No need for wooden block, fasten hose reel directly to the block wall.

This is what I did. I used the little larger Tapcons and bolted the reel directly to the block. No problems so far.

 

[NUTTSGT]

A tapcon hole drilled with the right bit, and sharp utilizing a hammer drill. Basically a good clean hole.

 

[whateg01]

Since op asked about cinder block walls, and some have suggested solutions for cmu, should they be treated differently? I see one comment that cinder is too soft for tapcons. So if op really does have cinder blocks and isn't misidentifying cmus, what is the right way to attach to them?

 

[Stick-man]

In my opinion, if you're going into the hollow portion of the block, a toggle is by far your best choice.

 

[MovingAlong]

There is much discussion on the best way to hang a heavy object onto a cinder block wall. Many people have mixed results with wall anchors, tapcon screws, toggle bolts and other options hanging on display at Home Depot or other HW stores.

I need to hang a heavy hose reel mechanism onto a cinder block wall. I will cut a block of wood about 1.25" to secure to the wall and then secure the hose reel to the block of wood. My question is what is the best way to secure the wood to the wall where it will be rock solid. In the past, I have used a hammer drill to first get the hole into a concrete wall, only to have the plastic anchor slip out. Others have also had this occur.

Any suggestions that would be best on Cinder Blocks??

Reduce the length of the "lever" pulling on your block. i.e. Screw a pressure treated 2"x6"x8' long from the floor toward the ceiling. Fasten the top of the board with two Tapcons, mount your reel 3-4' off the ground. You've now changed the "lever" effect the reel mount has on the wall from around six inches to four feet.

Obviously, any improvement helps. Even a short 2' piece changes the math significantly.

 

[jack stand]

Any fastener will benefit from a good construction adhesive, with paint.... meh.

 

[teknikfrog]

Tapcons, and actually check the load charts. You would not believe the holding power of even the small ones. You're way better off with a few small screws than 1-2 big ones.