QA

Quick Answer: What Are Tapcon Screws Used For

The standard blue Climaseal® Tapcon® screw are a light duty masonry anchor primarily used in dry indoor applications for attaching items to concrete, brick or block. They can be used in applications ranging from attaching 2×4 lumber to concrete, a light fixture to brick, or furring strips to a block wall.

Do I need a hammer drill for Tapcon screws?

Before a Tapcon masonry screw can be installed, a hole must be drilled into the masonry. Use a hammer drill to ensure that the hole has the proper tolerance. The hammer motion breaks up the masonry material and the rotation removes the dust from the hole.

Are Tapcon screws better than anchors?

Wedge anchors are pretty reliable & easy to install, if you stay well above the manufacturers’ edge distances. Tapcons are also easy to install & reliable. If the hole size is right, I doubt that you will overdrive many because the shaft will fail before the threads will strip.

How strong are Tapcon screws?

Technical Specifications for Tapcon Concrete Screws Size Minimum Embedment Shear (lbs.) 3/16” 1” 400 1/4” 1” 620.

Why do Tapcons break?

The depth of the hole for a Tapcon® should be a minimum of 1/2″ deeper into the base material than the screw will penetrate. If the Tapcon® screw bottoms out in the hole before it is fully inserted and too much torque is applied, the Tapcon® may break or shear off.

Can you install Tapcons with a regular drill?

A Tapcon screw is installed with a regular twist drill or impact drill. The HOLE that the Tapcon goes into is usually drilled with a hammer drill. Although if the material is somewhat soft, like a cinder block, a regular twist drill and a good bit will work, too.

What is the strongest type of concrete anchor?

What are the strongest concrete anchors? Wedge anchors are typically the strongest anchors, but not every application requires a heavy-duty anchor. Some will do just fine with a plastic wall anchor or a nail-in version.

Are Tapcon screws any good?

They are also a very unique (and of course proprietary) product that allows for extremely fast and reliable anchoring of materials to masonry products. If you drill the hole correctly – deep enough and with the correct diameter bit – these fasteners will simply work every time.

What is sleeve anchor?

Sleeve anchors are versatile masonry expansion anchors. They can be used in a variety of base materials, and they are available in a wide variety of diameters, lengths, and head styles. They come preassembled, so they are ready for immediate installation.

How much weight will a Tapcon screw hold?

*A safety factor of 4:1 or 25% of ultimate pullout/shear value is generally accepted as a safe working load. 340 lbs.

Why are Tapcon screws blue?

Tapcon’s unmatched performance in concrete, block and brick applications make them an excellent alternative to expansion anchors, plugs and lag shields. Blue corrosion resistant coating enables them to withstand the harshest conditions.

How deep do you drill for Tapcons?

The depth of the hole that a Tapcon® concrete screw will be installed into is critical. The hole must be drilled 1/4” deeper than the screw will penetrate. This extra space at the bottom of the hole allows for an area for the dust created during the tapping process to fall without impacting installation.

Do Tapcons hold better in brick or mortar?

The Tapcon concrete screw is suitable for use in a variety of base material, including brick and the mortar joints between the brick.

Will Tapcon screws work in cinder block?

Insert the anchor into the pre-drilled pilot hole in the cinder block and expand as needed. Concrete screws and tapcon need a hole to be drilled in the masonry that is smaller than the designated diameter. All masonry screws’ packaging will show the best size of drilled hole to use.

Is it better to anchor in brick or mortar?

Brick often holds more weight and provides better support compared to mortar. It’s also tricky to match the color of your brick when filling holes. Mortar is easier to drill through because it’s a softer substance than brick and is also easier to patch or repair.

How do I stop my Tapcons from breaking?

The correct setting for driving a tapcon concrete screw without breaking or shearing off is determined by using the lightest setting and then moving up until the tapcon concrete screw is set tight against the fixture being fastened. It is very important that the tapcon is not over torqued.

Can you screw directly into concrete?

Can you screw directly into concrete? Concrete screws are a quick and convenient way to fasten to concrete. The best thing about these screws is that you can screw directly into concrete without any need for hammering or an anchor or shield to install. All you have to do is drill a hole and drive in the screw.

What is the best screw for concrete?

The 3/16-in. diameter screws are plenty strong for most home tasks like installing furring strips, screwing down walls to concrete floors, and attaching hardware to block or brick. And since they’re a little cheaper and the smaller hole is easier to drill, the 3/16-in. size is usually the better choice.

What size Tapcon do I need?

The Tapcon® screw requires the correct diameter of hole to be drilled for the diameter of the Tapcon® screw being installed. The 1/4” requires a 3/16” hole, and the 3/16” requires a 5/32” hole to be drilled into the base material.

How deep should concrete screws go?

The average depth to drill your concrete screws is typically ¼ inch deeper than the length of your screw. You should not drill your pilot hole any deeper than ¾ inch to avoid shearing off the head of your screw. However, to ensure a secure fixing the screw should be driven in at a minimum of at least one inch deep.