I have been debating about what kind of anchors to use to attach my ledger board to the cement block foundation of my house. I have been comparing epoxy anchors versus wedge anchors.
The epoxy anchors seem to be much more expensive when figuring in the cost of the epoxy. I was concerned about whether the wedge anchors would be strong enough. Some stuff I have read suggested the wedge anchors aren’t very strong. But reading elsewhere it sadi that once the wedge anchors are properly installed they are nearly impossible to remove.
I found a box of 25 count 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ wedge anchors made by Red Head at Home Depot. The box was about $16, or a box of 10 for about $12. I went with the box of 25. They only had one box. So I am going to have to hit another Home Depot and see if they have any more in stock.
Now I need to wait for my hammer drill to come. I will pull off some more deck planks, and then get started drilling holes.
Now that I have my deck raised back up and levelled, I need to reattach the ledger board to the cement block foundation. I have been researching different types of anchors, but they all require that I drill into the cement blocks. So I am going to need a hammer drill.
I checked Harbor Freight. They had a cordless hammer drill for as cheap as $20. But it was only 3/8″. I am going to need a 1/2″ drill. They had a couple corded 1/2″ hammer drills, one for $50, and another for $63.
Then I checked Lowes. Lowes had a nice DeWalt hammer drill for around $250. Ouch! A lot more than I wanted to spend. But they had cheaper models too. There was a corded DeWalt for around $100. But they had a Black & Decker for about $60.
Out of curiousity I checked eBay. There were a bunch of used hammer drills. I was a bit leery about spending much money on a used power tool. There were a bunch of DeWalt hammer drills that were being sold without batteries. Then I would have to buy a battery. I found one seller selling some corded DeWalt DW511 hammer drill with a $50 buy it now price (and $13 shipping). It’s a pretty basic corded 1/2″ hammer drill. Apparently it is factory refurbished, but I figure a factory refurbished DeWalt hammer drill is going to be better than a Chicago Electric Harbor Freight special. So I bought one.
I went to Home Depot and was looking around. I checked out the deck book again, and saw that they recommended inserting the thread studs into the concrete blocks 3 inches. Other than that, there was no new info.
I tried to find someone to ask, but could find no help. I found some Red Heard expansion anchors that seemed to be designed to fasten stuff to concrete. Doing a search, I found one thing that said I could use either expansion anchors or epoxy anchors. Another thing I read on the net suggested that expansion anchors are not strong enough, and are likely to pull out.
I want to do the job right. I am still leaning to the epoxy anchors. I am not sure if I am supposed to just buy threaded rod and cut it, or if I am supposed to buy some sort of premade galvanized studs, or what.
I did find some recommended exoxys though. Either Epcon Acrylic 7 made by ITW Ramset/Red Head or HY-20 by Hilti.
I need to get to Lowes and see what they have. Maybe I will be able to find someone to talk to, and ask questions. I will try to get there after work.
Now that I have my deck raised back up, and sitting on temporary supports, I need to figure out the best way to attach the ledger board to the cement block foundation.
I found a book at Home Depot on decks, and it showed how to drill a hole through the ledger board, and into the mortar between the blocks using a hammer drill. Then you squirt some epoxy into the holes, and insert some threaded rods. The epoxy is left to harden for 24 hours. Then the board is tightened to the foundation using a washer and a nut. But the book didn’t seem to give details about the size of threaded rod to use, etc.
Another method I found has me drilling through the hollow part of the blocks. All the way through. Then a bolt is inserted through the board, and a washer and nut are placed on the back side of the wall (inside the house). I an not sure what is on the backside of the wall in our house. I think part of it is behind a finished wall in the basement. I will have to look.
I have been wanting to get to Home Depot or Lowes, and ask them the best way to attach the ledger board. I did go to Home Depot one day, but couldn’t find anyone to help me. Maybe I will stop at Lowes after work.
My deck collapsed a month or two ago. Just a foot or so in the middle next to the house. I pulled some of the planks closest to the house to diagnose the problem. Apparently the ledger board had not been adequately attached, and became detached from the foundation.
I don’t want to rip apart the entire deck. So I have been trying to figure out the best way to raise the deck up so I can reattach it to the foundation.
I bought a couple small bottle jacks, but then realized there wasn’t enough room under the deck to fit them.
Then I came up with the idea of lifting the deck. I looped a rope around one of the beams, and using a couple 2×4s as a lever and fulcrum, I could lift the deck up a little at time, and shove spacers under the ledger board to hold it up. I used small pieces of 3/4 inch pine, and 2×4s as spacers.
But then I came up with a better idea! I bought a 2 ton hand winch (come along). I took a piece of 2×4 and mounted a big eye-bolt at one end. I attached the winch to the eye bolt. Then I would set the other end of the 2×4 on the ground next to one of the deck beams. I looped a piece of rope under the beam. It had a loop at both ends which I attached to the hook on the winch. I would then use the winch to lift the deck. This worked great! I have lifted the deck most of the way back up. I need to get a level, and lift it up a little more in different spots. I will probably need to make some shims to get it nice and level.
I will probably need to pull of some more planks so that I have room to use a hammer drill. And I have to get a hammer drill. I know a guy who has one. I might be able to borrow his, or I might go buy one at Harbor Frieght, or maybe go rent one.