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Trouble with Tapcons - Any Advice?

jhelrey

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Sep 15, 2010
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7,245
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MN
Sometimes I use exterior screws and copper wire instead of Tapcons. Just drill your hole half inch deeper than the screw. Cut some romex wire, fill hole about 3/4 full. Do not let wire hang out. Drive screw in. If loose yet, add more wire.
 
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NUTTSGT

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Sep 14, 2009
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Northern Central Ohio
Tapcons don't really work that well on brick or mortar.

Especially if it is older and softer brick, same for the mortar. Newer brick seems to be harder, as I'm not sure if there is a difference in the clay or the kiln drying. . . or just maybe the nature of brick.
 
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NewShockerGuy

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Oct 12, 2010
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Welp I just used the 1/4" tapcons and I must say it was cool. It took a little time to drill into the brick at almost 2 inches, but I made sure to blow the air into the hole and get all the debris out and dust. Then just started screwing in the tapcon screw. I did not use an impact or hammer drill as recommended... Figured this would surely strip the hole. I just used a long handle screw driver that I could get some torque with. They screwed in with some force, but wasn't difficult. I can see for sure how one would strip the head if not paying attention.

Screw went all the way in with no problems and I tried to tighten it by hand more and it wouldn't move, so it was in there, which is good. Seems very sturdy to be honest! I'm pleasantly surprized... anytime I have to drill into brick I try to avoid it as it always seems like it will go wrong compared to going into wood.

I will check here in a couple weeks to see if the flap pole bracket is loose from the wind blowing the flag around. The bracket and fastners seem SOLID though!

I will note that I drilled into the brick and it appeared VERY hard, wasn't soft at all, no cracking or chipping. Houes was built in 06' so maybe that also helped.


Thanks for the help, and glad I found this thread!

-Nigel
 
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