How to Bolt to Concrete

Concrete anchor bolts are used in new construction and remodeling. In new construction, you need to secure your walls to the concrete slab or foundation. The same is true when fastening steel columns or anchoring machinery to concrete. You can bolt to existing concrete by drilling holes and setting protruding anchor bolts inside the hole with concrete. While J-bolts are used in new construction, straight bolts are usually used when anchoring to existing concrete.

High-speed drill
Masonry bits
Concrete (one bag)
Small trowel
Cleaning brush
Water
Bucket or wheelbarrow
Shovel
Anchor bolts (with nuts and washers)
Wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a one- to two-inch wide hole in existing concrete using a high speed electric drill with a masonry bit. Clean out the inside of the hole and around the hole with a fiber brush.
- 2
  
  Mix small amounts of concrete with water so the mix is wet but not runny.
  
  Mix the concrete with water and fill the hole to within two inches of the top.
- 3
  Center an anchor bolt in the hole to a minimum of a four-inch depth. Let the anchor bolt extend at least one inch above the top of the hole if you are anchoring a flat plate, more if you are anchoring an object of any depth.
- 4
  Fill in the remainder of the hole with concrete and smooth it out with a small metal trowel, leveling it around the anchor bolt. Smooth and level the new concrete to the existing concrete. Let the concrete set for 24 hours.
- 5
  
  J-bolts are set in wet concrete to attach the framing plate to the foundation.
  
  Drill a hole a little wider than the anchor bolt in the material you are fastening, using a metal or wood bit (depending on the material you are anchoring). Slip the anchor bolt through the object so that the anchor bolt protrudes. Attach the washer and nut to the top of the anchor by hand, then tighten it with a wrench or other appropriate hand or power tool.

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