There are a variety of ways to secure framed walls to concrete. If you have an air compressor, the easiest way is with a nail gun (Ramset) that will shoot the concrete anchors into the concrete. You can buy one, or rent one. This is the most expensive option.
If (like me) you're not that lucky, you still have a few options.
1. Buy concrete spikes and nail them in with a small sledge hammer.
2. Buy the spikes that come with a charge. When you hit the spike, the gunpowder charge fires, driving the fastener into place.
3. Use Tapcon screws - Although this requires a pilot hole, it's the option I used. Therefore, it's what I'll demonstrate here.
Using Tapcon screws
What you'll need:
- Tapcon screws - Be sure to get
the ones with hex heads. Don't try to use a flat-head screwdriver to drive them! I used 3/16" x 2-3/4" screws
- A hammer drill
- Several concrete drill bits
- A hex head fitting (for the drill) the size of the Tapcon head
How to attach walls using Tapcon screws
1. Drill the pilot hole
- Drill a hole through the center of the 2x4, every 16" to 20" inches.
- Hold the board in place by standing on it if possible.
- Use firm pressure, but don't push too hard. Let the drill do the work!
- If using 2 3/4" screws, put a piece of tap on the bit 3" from the tip. (Drill 1/4" deeper than the depth of the anchor plus the 1 1/2" for the 2x4.)
2. Attach the screw
- For best results use a hex-head attachment on your power drill to secure the screw. (Even the correct size flat-head screwdriver attachment will slip off frequently.)
- Start off slowly until you're through the 2x4.
- Speed up the drill and drive the achor deep enough into the concrete so the screw head is flush with the 2x4.
Make sure you have enough drill bits on hand. You'll go through several as the tips eventually wear out or break off. Repeat this process with each wall section. Once you get the hang of it it goes pretty quickly!
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