Fastening into brick/mortar

[ae82gtm]

Hello Garage fans,

I have been without luck trying to fasten a flag pole attachment base to my brick wall. I am wondering if you can help.

From what I've found on the net, I've been drilling into the mortar.
I first tried the screws with plastic anchor sleeves the flag pole kit came with.
That stayed on for about ~6 months.

Last weekend, I did more research and tried "Walldog" screws.
That lasted less than one day.

I like the idea of drilling into the mortar, because it's easy to fix. And I'm worried about drilling into the brick. But perhaps my mortar is too soft?

Any suggestions? Anyone else fasten stuff to mortar with success?

Thanks,

Mikhal

 

[captain14]

Try looking for Tapcon fasteners products and supplies. You also are trying to support a canterlievered load

Someone else may have better suggestions.

 

[rburke65]

I am a fan of the Tapcon screws also. They come with a properly sized drill for a pilot hole. We used them at work...a great product.

 

[Cyberbear]

There is not enough information provided to make an accurate assessment, depending upon your existing brick and mortar supporting material strength.
Basically it all comes down to how strong the brick or mortar is. I'n my experience I seldom use the mortar for anchor placement because most I've found to be too "crumbly" to hold any type of anchor. With the average brick I tend to use a lead type anchor that will achieve the holding power to mount and support the load. You may have to realize your flag pole is too much to be mounted to your particular brick and mortar, w/o going to more extensive avenues such as using a large base plate that is securely fastened to the brick, and the pole to that as I've seen done at govt. institutions requiring a flag pole.

 

[cdestuck]

When I unfastening something like that to brick I like to mount the flagpole holder on to a larger piece of stained and finished Oak and then attach the oak to the brick. I make the oak piece about 4 inches wide and 6 inches long and attach it at all four corners. This spreads out the force of wind better and also gives a fourth fast near attachment. I drilled into the brick for the largest size of plastic shield that I can buy. Try not to over drill the brick so that the insert is very snug however if the whole does become a little loose a wrap or two of electrical tape around the plastic shield in shores that it is a very tight fit. I've never had a problem doing this

 

[Apex Structures]

Motor is too soft in my opinion. You also don't want to make the joints separate or give an area for water to gather, then freeze. Definitely use Tapcon screws, they are not going to bore out over time with normal wear and tear like plastic anchors would.

 

[ColoMid]

A tip when using Tapcon screws: If you happen to over torque and strip the
hole, insert a piece of weed eater cord and drive in the screw. Good as new or better. Also, be sure the hole is deep enough.
Good Luck.
RichD

 

[rlitman]

Flags take a lot of force in all directions (unlike say hanging a mailbox).

I drilled my brick, installed lead anchors and used four 1/4" stainless lag bolts.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

If you happen to over torque and strip the
hole, insert a piece of weed eater cord and drive in the screw. Good as new or better. Also, be sure the hole is deep enough.
Good Luck.
RichD

No ****? I'll have to try this next time.... I never heard of that trick...

 

[dfiler2]

Tapcons are ok in the right situation, I'm guessing the problem will be the wind working the anchor back and forth over time. I think I would try using a Tapcon and some epoxy, mount just the bracket and allow it to dry for 24 hrs before hanging the flag.

 

[chops101]

Tapcons.
I de-installed a flag bracket on a column that had been there 15 years with Tapcons.

Use 2.5" .

 

[dfiler2]

Tapcons.
I de-installed a flag bracket on a column that had been there 15 years with Tapcons.

Use 2.5" .

Yep no doubt if it were a solid brick or concrete. I think the issue will be the mortar.

 

[Beemer533]

Most people drill into the mortar because it is softer and easier to drill... which is not the right way to do it... Drill into the brick.

 

[bdamico]

I really like toggler alligator for mortar applications, or brick for that matter

http://www.toggler.com/products/alligator/overview.php

 

[barnjunkie]

I learned my lesson about drilling into brick. Go to your hardware store and buy the most expensive brick drill bit (I bought a Bosch I think).
I struggled to get 1/4" into my brick with those cheap brands. After I had the correct tool for the job, I drilled out a circle of about 8 holes and was able to chisel out a very good circle for 2.5" conduit in about 30 min.

 

[RivennHewn]

Skip the screws, and get some Hilti epoxy.

Drill the brick.

 

[dfiler2]

I really like toggler alligator for mortar applications, or brick for that matter

http://www.toggler.com/products/alligator/overview.php

I really like the looks of that.

 

[ae82gtm]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone.
I do realize that drilling into the brick is the best solution, but I want to avoid that as much as possible.
So, I'm going to give the mortar one more try and use the Toggler Alligator fasteners. I haven't come across those before, and I like what's explained on their website.
Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. I'm willing to give the mortar one more try before resulting to drilling into brick.

 

[SilverSS1969]

I used these when I was doing some work hanging bracket in my basement. They have held up great so far.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Red-Head-1...ive-Concrete-Anchors-50-Pack-35305/100158509/

 

[MattVette89]

Another fan of tapcons. I used them for several heavy hanging flower baskets my wife wanted in front of the house.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Mark me up as a Tapcon fans also.


I hope the inventor made his millions and is sitting on a beach somewhere with a drink in his hand.

 

[ae82gtm]

A tip when using Tapcon screws: If you happen to over torque and strip the
hole, insert a piece of weed eater cord and drive in the screw. Good as new or better. Also, be sure the hole is deep enough.
Good Luck.
RichD

Thanks for the tip! I did end up using Tapcon screws. The flag pole has been up for 24 hours and seems sturdy. One of the holes did end up being too large, and the weed eater cord worked perfectly!

The trick was using a small drill bit size than the one Tapcon recommended. I guess my mortar is super soft.

Anyway, so far so good (but it's only been 24 hours). Thanks everyone for their input!

 

[p_mori7]

Weedeater cord is a good trick.

You can also use a couple of pieces of wood shavings.

Agree with prvious poster about drilling into the brick and using lead anchors.

I put up a basket ball hoop for the kids 10 years ago with that. Never moved.