20
votes
Accepted
When pouring concrete, is it safe to add large rocks to increase volume?
Concrete is a mix of large aggregate, small aggregate, and cement (a 4:2:1 ratio is a good approximation - though designed mixes will be more calculated than that).
The size of the large aggregate ...
- 2,360
18
votes
Accepted
Securing a large screw hook in drywall without an anchor
Cut a 1"x 4" board just long enough to fit between the wall on the right and garage door on the left.
Attach each end with 2 1/2" screws into the studs of said wall and door frame.
Screw hook, ( ...
- 13.2k
15
votes
What type of screws/anchors to fasten a closer to a steel door
Any type of threaded screw will eventually pull out. I'd think about using some bolt and cap nuts. You'd have to drill right through the door and can probably use the same holes on one side. I'd think ...
- 53.6k
14
votes
Accepted
How to avoid wires when drilling into the wall?
This is something that you have minimal control over. Most electrical runs going horizontally are about 2 feet off the floor or very close to the ceiling. There are lots of reasons for this but one ...
- 46.2k
14
votes
Help identifying pieces in ambiguous wall anchor kit
OK, the yellow anchors do not go into the studs. They can be used in drywall, brick, masonry, etc when the proper size hole is drilled. Those big threaded anchors are for drywall. They have a sharp ...
- 53.6k
14
votes
Accepted
What type of screws/anchors to fasten a closer to a steel door
This appears to be well suited to a rivnut installation. The threaded insert is placed in a hole sized appropriately to the insert, the tool is used to compress the portion inside the door and the ...
- 9,293
11
votes
When pouring concrete, is it safe to add large rocks to increase volume?
With regard to using wood posts in concrete:
Image Source
Note that any water that drains down the side of the wood post will drain through to the subsoil. The post should be in a collar, not a cup......
- 990
10
votes
Accepted
Framing a wall over a carpeted floor
No, I would not recommend nailing through carpet. Whether or not you prefer to, cutting the carpet and pad and removing them (under the wall) is the only right way to do this job.
Baseboards on top ...
- 133k
10
votes
Accepted
Why can't I drive this Tapcon into concrete?
Aside from not using hammer mode, as suggested in the comments, I will report that I have had HIGHLY variable results with Tapcon's in old poured concrete - I don't recall what they claim to work in, ...
- 133k
10
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Why can't I drive this Tapcon into concrete?
All the Tapcons, Conserts, or other brand of concrete screws I have driven over the years, I have never, while following the directions driven a concrete screw no deeper into any concrete that has ...
- 31.2k
9
votes
How to avoid wires when drilling into the wall?
I agree with the answer about using a stud finder with a voltage sensor. Also, bear in mind that while the horizontal wire runs are typically close to the floor or the ceiling, there are also cables ...
- 5,686
8
votes
Help identifying pieces in ambiguous wall anchor kit
You appear to have 5 anchors and 3 screws. I hope this isn't much of a rack, or that you're willing to go buy some screws. Lag Bolts.
The things you are referring to as drywall screws appear to be ...
- 133k
7
votes
Why can't I drive this Tapcon into concrete?
Use 1/4" diameter Tapcons (the 3/16" screws are worthless). Drill the hole with a 3/16" masonry drill bit with a hammer drill, one inch farther than the fastener is long, pulling the bit out of the ...
- 12.7k
7
votes
Accepted
How can I remove this concrete wall anchor?
These don't come out easily, sometimes they can be pushed back into the wall and dissappear, this is often the case if the person installing it was thinking ahead and drilled the hole deeper than ...
- 13.2k
7
votes
What type of screws/anchors to fasten a closer to a steel door
Since security could be a concern, I'd suggest a plate on the outside with square holes punched, or round holes drilled to accept carriage bolts that go all the way through the door and nuts on the ...
- 29.4k
6
votes
When pouring concrete, is it safe to add large rocks to increase volume?
It is not good practice to bury wood in concrete as you depict. Best to use
metal anchored in the concrete and attach the wood to the metal. Your result
will be inevitable rot and failure, probably ...
- 69
6
votes
How to support 20 feet of 4 inch pvc drain pipe horizontally along a concrete wall?
Any of the pipe hangers available at your local big-box home improvement store are designed to support a full pipe. They would be just decorations if they didn't...
Pick a type that seems simplest to ...
- 29.4k
6
votes
Removing painted over screw wall plugs (UK) and badly applied filler
It appears to me that the touch-up paint color doesn't match the original color very well. Either new, better matching paint will be necessary to cover the touch-up spots again, or repaint the entire ...
- 29.4k
5
votes
How much weight can I hang from a drywall ceiling?
I do a lot of work in remodel aplications. As for the strength of 1/2" and 5/8 sheetrock it is quite strong. I have been in multiple situations where I had 2 options walk or crawl on belly directly on ...
- 51
5
votes
When pouring concrete, is it safe to add large rocks to increase volume?
Reducing the amount of Portland Cement in the concrete will reduce its strength. That is, adding rocks to an already-blended mixture of concrete will reduce its strength over the same mix without the ...
- 862
5
votes
How to avoid wires when drilling into the wall?
Unfortunately you can't be 100% certain but you can dramatically reduce your risk.
Checking local rules and practices for installing cables should be your first line of defense. For example in the UK ...
- 4,189
5
votes
How deep to place a deadman anchor for a slackline?
It’s based on the 1) angle of repose, and 2) weight of soil, and 3) length of deadman.
7-8kn equals about 1500 - 1,800 lbs.
If the angle of repose is about 45 degrees and your soil weighs about 80 ...
- 22.5k
5
votes
Unsure how to use these dry wall anchors?
Throw them away. These are terrible anchors. There are better ones for every type of wall. I never use the hardware that comes with anything to attach to walls. Learn how the walls of your home ...
- 17.1k
4
votes
How much weight can I hang from a drywall ceiling?
You could also try to get a board to go between the joists if you can't hit them directly. The holding strength of drywall isn't much in this direction. Really if you look at drywall it's about 2 ...
- 471
4
votes
What should I use to hang a coat hook on a brick wall?
You'll need a masonry bit and hammer drill to get a hole in brick.
However it may be easier to screw the hooks to a piece of wood and mount the wood to the wall. With a nice routed edge on the wood ...
- 8,118
4
votes
Accepted
Will a drywall anchor work fine after it's already open or engaged?
It depends on the type of anchor and the length of the screw, but I think you may have another problem.
Most drywall anchors rely on the screw to expand the anchor and secure it into the drywall. In ...
- 201
4
votes
What's the strongest anchor for something heavy in double drywall?
I think this question warrants an answer with a healthy dose of caution:
Shelves for supporting a lot of weight should not be supported via drywall! Structural shelves need to be supported by proper ...
- 23.8k
4
votes
I drilled holes in my brick too big for my anchors. How can I fix this?
Use larger anchors/screws. IMO this is the best option.
There are dozens of different types of anchors, so it is possible to find one that will be larger but fit the smaller screw. Myself, I'd drill ...
- 16k
4
votes
Accepted
How to anchor zipline to house
The bottom line is that the framing in the corners of your house really isn't meant for a dynamic (e.g. bouncing and jerking) lateral load like what you're talking about. It isn't even meant for a ...
- 5,686
4
votes
Is it okay for one curtain hanging bracket to be screwed into drywall with no anchors?
Sounds like trouble to me. Superglue won't do you any good, as it's only as strong as what it's gluing to (and I suspect here it would be far less strong).
Some alternatives:
Cut away a square of ...
- 6,168
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