Drilling into concrete slab for bracket

[db2102]

Drilling into concrete slab for mounting bracket

We're going to install a natures head dry composting toilet into our recently converted garage space (sans plumbing and the wife is into 'permaculture').

The toilet attaches via two metal brackets which need to be attached to the floor, typically by bolting down.

We have two options:

1) use cut plywood to elevate and secure the toilet and bracket it to the plywood.

2) drill into the concrete slab floor (approximately 1" to 1 1/2") and attach the brackets directly.

We're wanting to know if it could potentially compromise the concrete floor to drill into it, either by potentiating moisture buildup or through cracking?

Any and all information or advice on this issue is much appreciated!

 

[ConCretin]

Drilling a few holes into your slab won't compromise it structurally nor should it cause any moisture issues. The only considerations would be if you have in-floor radiant heat or your slab is post tensioned. In both cases you wouldn't want to inadvertently hit tubes or cables imbedded in the concrete. Should be easy to determine both.

 

[matt_i]

I would look more at what type of anchor you are going to use. A couple come to mind.

- tapcon (heavy duty hardened "wood screw" that will cut its own threads into a pilot hole of the correct diameter.

- wedge anchor (its a stud which fits into a pilot hole, tapped into place with a hammer and the nut is tightened which causes a metal collar to slide down over a tapered section of the shaft and cause an outward bulge powerful enough to lock the anchor in place

- epoxy anchor (basically a piece of threaded rod thats placed into a very clean pilot hole that's prefilled by epoxy)

The wedge anchor is probably the fastest and easiest, stainless steel versions can be sourced which would be very appropriate for the corrosives that are often found in or near (!) a toilet. Drilling the pilot hole could be done with a"hammer drill" & masonry bit which takes quite awhile, or an SDS-shanked "rotary hammer" which is maybe half a minute per hole. I think you can rent the SDS tool at box stores or you might be able to borrow one from a friend as they are pretty common these days.

Its most ideal to drill the concrete slab with the device already in place and bore thru the existing mounting holes. But sometimes the drill won't actually fit....so you have to measure & transfer holes, one has to be very careful as the drill bit can walk just a bit at the start and its easy to get them misaligned with respect to perpendicular from the slab.

 

[WIHD]

can buy a 2x2 square of concrete at any landscape yard, put in place, then drill into that mounting toilet on top.

considering the cost to pour a slab (to me at least) that is the direction I'd go...

 

[CombatNinja]

I had never heard of a dry composting toilet so I looked it up.

Let me say that there is exactly zero chance I would allow that nasty, new-age bull5hit anywhere near my house or shop. Nothing like paying $1000 for the privelege of having a human litter box. The fact that the website keeps touting "No Smell" over and over is a red flag.

To each their own. Knock yourself out and enjoy your hemp underwear.

 

[Jazz1]

Drill into the floor. Not familiar with that exact composting unit but my experience is get one with a fan and they are much more efficient.
This cabin had a "outhouse" inside the rear of cabin when built in 1920. That was "deleted" as soon as we took possession. Had a dry composting but it was not efficient, no odour but will be upgrading to the vented models that many of the hunting/fishing resorts have installed. They are excellent

 

[kd3pc]

I have had them on my boats, and installed many on others boats. They work well when used correctly. The vented or fan units are the way to go, if conditions permit.

nothing new age about them, using peat or some compost has been in use since before the dark ages. And continue to be used in many parts of the world, today.

Nature's Head does quite well and their support is very good.

 

[WIHD]

I had never heard of a dry composting toilet so I looked it up.

Let me say that there is exactly zero chance I would allow that nasty, new-age bull5hit anywhere near my house or shop. Nothing like paying $1000 for the privelege of having a human litter box. The fact that the website keeps touting "No Smell" over and over is a red flag.

To each their own. Knock yourself out and enjoy your hemp underwear.

so we take it you're against the idea then