What Tool to Use for Removing a Concrete Anchor?

Hacksaw

• A hacksaw can be used when removing a variety of anchors, including wedge and strike anchors. The hacksaw is a small, inexpensive hand saw and is needed to cut off the head of the anchor where it meets the concrete. Depending on the placement of the anchor, it may be difficult to get the hacksaw directly up against where the head of the anchor meets the concrete. Also, because you're cutting by hand, using a hacksaw can be somewhat time consuming.

Cutoff Wheel

• A cutoff wheel is an electric-powered saw that has a rotating cutting wheel at the end of it. It can be used in place of a hacksaw for cutting off the heads of wedge, hammer drive, strike and split drive anchors. The cutoff wheel will allow you easier access into tight areas, unlike the hacksaw, and also will quickly cut off the heads of the anchors.

Phillips Head Screwdriver

• Tapcon concrete screws are one of the easiest concrete anchors to remove and you'll only need a Phillips head screwdriver to do it. Turn the screw counterclockwise to reverse it out of the hole.

Adjustable Wrench

• Drop in anchors and machine screw anchors have a bolt at the end that hold them in place. You can remove the bolts by turning them counterclockwise with the adjustable wrench. The anchor part of the fastener sits below the surface and cannot be removed without damaging the concrete. However, it will not be visible once the bolts are removed. The hole can either be left as it is or may be patched over.