Concrete anchor problem

[JeremyH.]

Hi, I thought I was drilling 1/2in but it was 9/16th... I was going to use wedge anchors but no amount of pounding will make them expand enough. Would strike anchors work? They appear to be in annoying sizes, and I'll need a few sizes I think so I'm not about to order a few hundred. But maybe someone carries them locally I don't know about? Well, or do lag bolts work?

It's just to hold two steps down that are for the patio door of the house.

 

[tjbnwi]

Use Sika or Simpson structural epoxy to set the anchors. Both come in caulk gun tubes.

Tom

 

[JeremyH.]

That might work, as long as the work time is decent. The steps have to be in place when inserting the rods.

 

[leakyroof]

Can you get an anchor that's 5/8" OD and lightly drill out your 9/16" hole with a 5/8" bit to fit the even larger anchor system?

 

[JeremyH.]

I actually ordered some 5/8 screws to try. Either way I'll need to drill so I'll try the 9/16 hole first or hit it with 5/8. The thing that made be switch decisions is that these can be taken out to remove the steps some day in the future, where as I'd have to grind off the anchors and cut apart the steps to move them in the future if I went that route with structural epoxy.

And, like always, no one carries the 5/8 concrete screws locally. Where do you have to live to find products you need locally? How big of a city? It seems like I have to order everything...

 

[tjbnwi]

I actually ordered some 5/8 screws to try. Either way I'll need to drill so I'll try the 9/16 hole first or hit it with 5/8. The thing that made be switch decisions is that these can be taken out to remove the steps some day in the future, where as I'd have to grind off the anchors and cut apart the steps to move them in the future if I went that route with structural epoxy.

And, like always, no one carries the 5/8 concrete screws locally. Where do you have to live to find products you need locally? How big of a city? It seems like I have to order everything...

Epoxy the anchors in, bolt the stairs in place after the epoxy sets. Depending on the temperature I've had the epoxy set in 5 minutes.

Tom

 

[leakyroof]

I actually ordered some 5/8 screws to try. Either way I'll need to drill so I'll try the 9/16 hole first or hit it with 5/8. The thing that made be switch decisions is that these can be taken out to remove the steps some day in the future, where as I'd have to grind off the anchors and cut apart the steps to move them in the future if I went that route with structural epoxy.

And, like always, no one carries the 5/8 concrete screws locally. Where do you have to live to find products you need locally? How big of a city? It seems like I have to order everything...

  Here in Chicago we have lost many Brick and Mortar stores over the past 20 years that were our Commercial or Industrial Supply houses.  I can still order from Mc-Master Carr and delivery will be fast enough for my needs, but my biggest concern is the loss of Plumbing Supply houses.  When you need a part for your 100 yr old house, and there is no easy/affordable way to update the system as a whole to what ever is the new/common way of piping, you'd like to think someone still has those old style fittings/fixtures on a shelf somewhere to allow you a simpler repair.
So, I feel your pain... [sad]

 

[leakyroof]

I actually ordered some 5/8 screws to try. Either way I'll need to drill so I'll try the 9/16 hole first or hit it with 5/8. The thing that made be switch decisions is that these can be taken out to remove the steps some day in the future, where as I'd have to grind off the anchors and cut apart the steps to move them in the future if I went that route with structural epoxy.

And, like always, no one carries the 5/8 concrete screws locally. Where do you have to live to find products you need locally? How big of a city? It seems like I have to order everything...

Epoxy the anchors in, bolt the stairs in place after the epoxy sets. Depending on the temperature I've had the epoxy set in 5 minutes.

Tom

  sounds like a Plan Tom... [thumbs up]

 

[Bob D.]

I would use Hilti 1/2" drop-in anchors which would mean overdrilling your 9/16" holes for the OD of the drop-in anchors to 5/8" IIRC. Set the anchor deep enough that if/when you need to remove everything (which you seem to be worried about) you can just back out the stud or bolt and be left with the anchor below grade. Just fill in the hole with some grout or you could even use some hydraulic cement.