The Only Concrete Anchor You Need And How To Properly Install

Tapcons were voted the favorite type of concrete anchor by my audience so I wanted to put together a straightforward video on how to install Tapcons and what do to if you hit a speed bump. Tapcons are a great product but there are several common mistakes that can derail your project which I will try to help you avoid.

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[csimet]

I always use a thick washer that is at least 25-33% bigger than the head of the Tapcon... it just helps spread the hold across the part being secured, especially sheet metal like you show. My solution for stripped holes... always keep a spool of galvanized wire handy. Just fold a few lengths equal to the thread length, put it in the hole and re-run the screw. The screw will bite into it and press against the sides of the hole. Works every time.

[MrJasonwoodrow]

Yep, I use Tapcons for a lot of jobs at work, or in some cases zinc anchors. I prefer the rotohammer for much faster work. One thing you may want to consider when mounting fan units are vibration dampeners. The low hum/rumble can be annoying to a lot of people and mounting on spring dampeners is a good approach to minimize the vibration.

[DavidGrapesVinyard]

I am 76 and been building things for many years, this is one of the best solutions I have run across.

[michaellacaria]

Had problems using the smaller size tapcons because of drill wobble etc., so in cases like that i learned to drill a smaller hole first and then go over with proper size bit.

[edjorgensen]

I really enjoy your channel. I've used my share of Tapcons during the hurricane plywood wars living in an east central Florida block home. Occasionally I'd spin one and lose the threads. My fix was to stick a few pieces of heavy duty grass trimmer line in the hole. Worked like a charm and held like iron.

[hardlyb]

I've used Tapcons and they are the easiest, but I don't use them unless I'm pretty sure I'm never going to need to remove them; I find they don't hold nearly as well on subsequent uses (and, yes, I use a new anchor). So I used them to anchor a gazebo I put in on a concrete deck, but I use wedge anchors to hold down my drill press, since I might need to move that temporarily. I also don't use them when attaching things to sandstone or soft brick, since I've seen Tapcons split that sort of material; something like a Rawl plug works better in softer stone, holds quite well, and you can remove the screw (at least once) and put it back without worrying. If you don't have an air compressor, a can of compressed air works to blow out the holes. As you say, it's essential to clean the hole, no matter what you're using as an anchor.

[andrewludwig]

Those units come with rubber anti-vibration pads, you should slide those underneath the next chance you get.

[shawnr]

I have been using Tapcons and other concrete anchors for years.

You stated good solid advice.

Overtightening is probably the biggest mistake.
It breaks the side walls.

One solution is after recleaning the hole there are some masonry certified epoxys.

On something like this AC.
Put some in the hole and reinstall.
When that expoxy sets the anchor will not go anywhere for this application.

For framing attachment.
Move over and drill another hole. Make sure to stay within recommended spacing.
When in doubt and possible install 2.

On commercial or industrial jobsites. This should be brought to the attention of the site engineer.

Regular workers do not understand the loads that the anchor will be expected to withstand over a lifetime.
Do not leave that to chance.

[jackfarrell]

30 years ago a carpenter from Indiana named Jim taught me a great tip and I have used it ever since. Drill a 3/16 hole with a masonry bit of course, insert a piece of tie wire ( 16 gauge annealed wire, home Depot or Lowe's) and then drive a 16d common nail. Easy, inexpensive and strong. Thank you Jim. Edit, the piece of wire should be 4 or 5 inches in length.

[G-Diddy]

I haven't had any issues with the larger tapcon screws but I have had the smaller ones snapping off half way down. Most issues have been in flagstone. Always use the recommended drill size for each.

[dogsense]

Worked on alcatraz island for 25 years, doing concrete work, Tapcons were my best friends!

[cgutowski]

This is perfect timing. I just came home from Lowes with 3/8 heavy duty tapcons to mount a new mini split on a concrete block wall. Also bought the 8” tapcon sds drill bit.

[bobpiec]

I hung a deck with Tapcons 25 years ago and they are still holding. Great product great tutorial.

[CoconutPalmPictures]

If the concrete becomes difficult to drill, try using some WD-40 inside the hole. That helps a lot.

After you drill the hole, use the thin red tube nozzle on a spray can of WD-40 (or generic equivalent) to simultaneously clean out the hole and lubricate it. Put the thin red nozzle all the way into the hole, then start spraying, slowly pulling out the nozzle while spraying. All the dust will come out, and the hole will be lubricated for the Tapcon.

However, blue Tapcons tend to rust over time, and will snap off if you try to remove them years later. I prefer stainless steel Tapcons for that reason.

Also, Tapcon, if you're reading this, please change your Phillips drive Tapcons over to Torx drive. Much better, less cam-out.

Lastly, if the hole gets stripped, try putting a length of nylon cable tie in the hole to snug it up.

[jimboalogo]

I built a 'catio' about 6 years ago and used Tapcon. I anchored the vertical beams to a brick wall and the horizontal 2x4s to the patio floor. They've held up very well.

[dchale]

I just removed a shed that was bolted to a concrete pad using tapcon bolts around 20 years ago. I went in expecting issues getting the bolts out. The typical stuff, snapping the heads off, etc. I had no issues and the bolts looked practically new, other than the concrete dust.

[artvandelay]

If you have trouble with breaking Tapcons or stripping out the holes, use your drill to drive them, not your impact. I think if you read the directions it actually says to drive them with a drill and not an impact. After I started using a drill to drive them I haven't snapped one or stripped one.

[kenday]

Tapcon is the only type anchor I use now - they are very easy to use and they work GREAT!!

[karlaiken]

The trouble with drilling concrete, is often the drill bit walks on you soon as you start drilling, This can be a real pain if you are lining up more than one hole like what you did here. So what I do is use a punch to start the hold and use a small drill bit that will set in the punch mark and drill a pilot hole. Even a new sharp drill bit will walk on you sometimes. I do like those anchors. Have used a lot of drop in anchors also, trouble with those is you need to drill a much larger hole to accommodate the anchor not the bolt.

[MrRightNow]

One tip I would recommend is not to tighten the bolts until you have all 4 bolts 90% or so in place. This will help preventing any possible alignment issues that could also cause your last bolts to not go in easy and even possibly strip