How to install anchor bolts in existing concrete?

It is challenging to securely attach items to concrete since concrete is rock-hard, prone to cracking, and difficult to drill into. But with just a small handful of the right tools and materials, it's possible to do so&#;efficiently and safely.

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With concrete anchors, you can attach even heavy materials like deck ledger boards and framing members to concrete in just a few minutes.

What Are Concrete Anchors?

A concrete anchor is a steel fastener that is embedded in concrete to fix another item in place, allowing the concrete to carry the load.

Concrete Anchors vs. Concrete Screws

Concrete anchors and concrete screws both can be used to fasten items to concrete. Concrete anchors, generally speaking, expand in a pre-drilled hole, while concrete screws tap or cut threads in a pre-drilled hole.

Concrete Anchors

Concrete anchors fit into a pre-drilled hole and expand within the hole either by hitting the anchor with a hammer or by turning it with a wrench. Use concrete anchors for heavy items like framing members, deck ledger boards, signs, security cameras, and porch railings.

Concrete Screws

Concrete screws insert into pre-drilled holes in the concrete and self-tap the surrounding material as they are turned clockwise. Use concrete screws for lighter-weight items like hose reels, drainpipes, electrical boxes, conduit clamps, furring strips, and window and door framing.

Concrete Anchors

• Compress into pre-drilled hole
  

• Heavy-duty

• 3/8- to 1/2-inch diameter

• Poor for use near edges because hole is expanded

• Some are removable, some are not

Concrete Screws

• Tap into pre-drilled hole
  

• Light- to medium-duty

• Up to 1/4-inch

• Good for use near edges because they do not deform hole

• Removable

Types of Concrete Anchors

Drop-in Concrete Anchors

Drop-in concrete anchors consist of two pieces: a male threaded bolt and a female threaded sleeve with a knurled end and slits. The slits allow the lower part of the anchor to expand. The sleeve is dropped in and then set solidly in place with a metal set tool. After the sleeve is in place, it cannot be removed from the concrete, though the male bolt can be removed from the sleeve.

Wedge Concrete Anchors

A wedge anchor is a male threaded bolt with a shielded wedge on the lower part that expands as a nut is turned against a washer on the bolt. The bolt and the shielded wedge are one piece, not two separate pieces as with the drop-in and sleeve anchors. Wedge concrete anchors are easy to insert, yet they hold very firmly in concrete. Once in place, wedge anchors cannot be removed, but the nut can be removed from the anchor.

Sleeve Concrete Anchors

A sleeve anchor consists of four pieces: a threaded bolt and a metal sleeve tube with large slots and narrow crosscuts, plus a nut and washer. The slots and crosscuts allow the sleeve to expand when it is tightened by the bolt. Furthermore, a smooth wedge at the bottom of the threaded bolt pulls upwards to force the bottom of the sleeve to expand.

Safety Considerations

Carefully study the concrete anchor's product specifications before installation. Be aware of the concrete anchor's weight limitations, both in terms of shear and pull-out strength. Do not over-torque concrete anchors. Use safety glasses when striking or turning concrete anchors.

How to Use Drop-in Concrete Anchors

1. Drill the Hole

   Drill the hole. Clear out the hole with the shop vacuum.

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2. Place the Sleeve in the Hole

   Drop the female threaded sleeve into the hole, slit-end first.

3. Place the Set Tool

   Place the narrow end of the set tool into the sleeve.

4. Strike the Anchor

   Hammer the top of the set tool several times with the hammer until the sleeve is fully set in place.

   Warning

   Do not pound on the bolt itself as this may strip the threads. Use only the set tool.

5. Add the Bolt

   Add the threaded bolt and washer to the sleeve. With a wrench, turn the bolt clockwise until it is firmly set in place.

How to Use Wedge Concrete Anchors

1. Drill the Hole

   Drill a hole with the hammer drill and clear debris with the shop vacuum.

2. Place the Wedge Anchor

   Fit the wedge end of the wedge anchor into the pre-drilled hole.

3. Strike the Wedge Anchor

   Pound the wedge anchor into the hole with a hammer until the bottom of the threads are flush with the top of the concrete.

4. Add the Washer and Nut

   Place a hole in the fixture to be attached over the anchor bolt and place the washer and nut on the threaded end of the wedge anchor.

5. Tighten the Nut

   With an open-end wrench, turn the nut clockwise until it tightens against the washer. This expands the wedge, holding the anchor in place in the hole.

   Tip

   Note that the wedge anchor will rise slightly (about 1/4-inch) as it is tightened into the hole.

How to Use Sleeve Anchors

1. Drill the Hole

   Drill a hole in the concrete with the hammer drill and clear the debris from the hole.

2. Add the Sleeve Anchor

   First, push the sleeve anchor through a hole on the item to be attached to the concrete. Then continue the anchor into the pre-drilled hole in the concrete.

3. Strike the Anchor

   Pound the top of the anchor with the hammer.
   

4. Turn the Nut

   Place the washer and nut on the end of the exposed bolt and turn the nut clockwise. Firmly turn until it can no longer rotate. Turning expands the bottom of the anchor.

If you are installing a pad-mount pedestal pole on existing concrete, then this kit is what you need to do it. These 7" by 1/2" anchor bolts are used to install studs into an existing cement pad/foundation. They are installed by drilling holes into the concrete, then tapping the studs into the holes. As the nut is tightened, the stud will move upwards slightly allowing the anchor to "grab" the wall of the hole. The expanding washer will fill the space and permanently anchor the stud into the concrete. Great to use with any pad mount pedestal. Below is a diagram of the recommended installation.

Specs:

• Finish: Unfinished
• Material: Carbon Steel
• Dimensions: 7" x 1/2"