DIY information: Fastening to concrete

Fixing an object concrete is never as easy as drilling a hole and screwing it in. Generally speaking, if you're going to do some light fastening, such as fixing a light fitting into a concrete wall, then all you have to do is put a nylon ram plug into the mix. But when it comes to heavy duty concrete anchors, you'll need to do a bit more than that.

There are many reasons you might be considering fixing something to a concrete wall or floor at home. It could be that you want to increase security by locking your safe in place, or you may wish to stop a garage bench from moving about when you're working on it. Either way, you need something solid and sturdy.

Sleeve anchors are a great choice for this kind of work. They work in a similar way to the plastic anchor sleeves mentioned above. The similarity is that the sleeve goes into a pre-drilled hole and the bolt then uses this to stay in place. The difference is the locking mechanism. Nylon plugs generally have small fins angled towards the user that prevent them from being pulled backwards.

A metal-sleeved anchor works by expanding in the pre-drilled hole as the bolt is torqued. This makes for a much stronger and more durable fastening. You can also get countersunk heads. These are useful because you don't have to pull them out or cut them down when you're doing concrete cleaning.

Another option is chemical bonding. In this situation you still use a bolt in an oversized, pre-drilled hole, but you fill it with a chemical bonding agent which solidifies. This process requires confidence and a bit of know-how, so make sure to talk to the friendly staff at your local Kennards Hire centre to see if its the right product for you. Whether you choose chemical or mechanical anchoring for your job, you'll need a good hammer-action drill or breaker to get through that concrete.

Of course there are other options, including concrete bolts, which tap into the concrete itself, or mushroom head spikes, which require a bit of brute force to drive home. There are any number of options when it comes to durable fastenings and concrete. Kennards Hire has all the tools you need to use them, as well as the advice you need to figure out the right fastener for the job.