What kind of fastener would one use to mount a heavy shelving unit to a concrete basement wall?

Question

What kind of fastener would one use to mount a heavy shelving unit to a concrete basement wall? And how does one go about mounting such a unit without doing damage to the wall? Is concrete like would in that it will not crack or chip so long as one makes a pilot hole almost as wide as the particular bolt? What precautions are neccessary?

Answer 1

You will need a number of items. First off, do you have a hammer drill, if not, not to worry, any electrical drill should work. This may not be a job for one of those battery powered units.

Go to Home Depot and get the right size anchors. Ask the guy at the store to direct you to the correct ones to use for your application. Note that there are some really good and simple to use anchors.

Check to make sure that you have the correct "concrete" drill bit. Do not attempt to drill the hole with a drill bit for wood or metal...it will not work. Drill the hole to the depth of the anchor and put the anchor into the wall. Most anchors require that you "set" them properly before putting the bolt in.

There are two ways to typically set an anchor. One type is where you place the anchor into the hole, put a centre punch tool down the hole of the anchor, and with a hammer bang the bottom. There is a small bullet like capsule on the bottom that expands the anchor in the hole. Now you are ready to insert your bolt or threaded rod.

The other type of anchor requires that you drill a hole as before, usually these anchors have the bolt as part of the anchor assembly, put the anchor in the hole and place a washer on the bolt, flush with the wall. Hand tighten the nut down as far as you can and with an open-ended wrench start turning the nut clockwise. You will feel it tightening up. Remove the nut and washer, place your bracket on the wall and voila.

If you do not want to use anchors, you can use wooden dowels. You will still be required to drill the concrete to the size just below the size of the wooden dowel that you purchased. Once the hole is drilled, hammer in the wooden dowel into the hole. This should be very snug and tight, even to the point where you cannot comfortably pull the wooden dowel out.. Cut the dowel flush to the wall and use large woodscrews. The larger and longer the better. Remember, if you use a 3 inch screw, the hole has to be a minimum of three inches deep and the dowel of course would be the same length.

This last method is not as strong as using properly set anchors. I would use, at a minimum, double the amount of wood dowels as I would use anchors.

If you make a mistake with the anchors and the hole turns out too big, get bigger anchors or in those instances, use the wood dowel.

How heavy of a shelf are you putting up anyway? Make sure you mention that to the Home Depot guy.


I hope this helps.

Answer 2

They make an anchor called a " Red Head" and you drill a hole, put the base inside of it, then as you tighten the bolt into it, it expands and holds onto the concrete. If you have cinderblocks, toggle bolts work the best.

Go to Lowes or Home Depot and they can hook you up with the right parts to do the job

Answer 3

ask a sales person at your local hardware store. there are many different fasteners and systems and each has it advantages, disadvantages, and load limits. Most will require drilling a hole to accept the anchor and the hole size should be matched to the anchor's requirement.

Answer 4

I would use a 'Dribble Fastener'. You can buy them at Ace Hardware pretty cheap.


They are meant for concrete wall shelving.

Answer 5

Use a masonry bit to drill the hole and use a specialized screw and sleeve for concrete.

Answer 6

Use a Masonry Tap Con..work the best for me

Answer 7

tap cons would be your best bet. you can get them at the hardware store a drill and screwdriver ar required

Answer 8

ramset