Frequently Asked Questions About Tapcon® Concrete Screws
General Tapcon® FAQs
Also see: Stainless Steel Tapcon® FAQs
Q: What size bit do I use with each Tapcon® concrete screw?
A: The 1/4" screw uses a 3/16" bit and the 3/16" screw uses a 5/32" bit.
Q: Can concrete screws be taken out and then put back into the same hole?
A: A number of factors come into play when putting a concrete screw back in the same hole. These include: the type of base material, the quality of the initial hole and the quality of the tapped threads in the concrete before and after removal of the concrete screw. The answer is Yes- but the holding values will be lower and each fastener will be unique with respect to the quality of holding values. In some cases, a Tapcon® screw may not have any holding values at all.
Q: Are Tapcons acceptable for use in ACQ treated lumber?
A: The blue Climaseal® and the 410 stainless steel Tapcon® are acceptable for use in ACQ treated lumber.
Q: How do I determine the length of concrete screw to use?
A: Add the thickness of the material being attached plus the embedment depth (minimum of 1", maximum of 1-3/4")
Q: How deep does the hole need to be?
A: Minimum embedment for concrete screws is 1", maximum embedment is 1-3/4" and the hole should be drilled a minimum of 1/4" deeper than the penetration of the screw in the base material.
Q: What is the coating on a Tapcon® brand concrete screw?
A: Tapcons are coated with a blue Climaseal® coating. This coating provides exceptional corrosion resistance.
Q: What base material are concrete screws suited for?
A: The standand & stainless steel concrete screw can be used in concrete, brick or block. Large Diameter Tapcons can be used in Concrete and Block only.
Q: What fastening into a block wall, should the fastener be put into block or the mortar joint?
A: This will depend on the quality of the mortar and block. A concrete screw can be used in both parts of a block wall.
Q: Do I have to use a hammer drill when I am drilling a hole for a Tapcon® concrete screw?
A: Yes, a hammer drill is critical when drilling a hole for Tapcons.
Q: How long does concrete have to cure before a Tapcon® can be installed?
A: The concrete should cure for at least 28 days before a concrete screw can be installed into the concrete.
Q: How many hours did the Tapcons stay in the salt spray test?
A: The concrete screw was tested in a salt spray booth of 1,600 hours without any visible red rust on the Tapcon®.
Q: Are all Tapcons that you sell made in America?
A: Yes, we only sell the original Tapcons which are made in Itasca, IL.
Q: Are Tapcon® screws removable?
A: Yes, Tapcons can be removed by simply backing it out of the hole. Please note that after removing the Tapcon® screw, the same hole can not be used again with the same holding values.
Q: Why do the threads on a Tapcon® screw go up and down?
A: The threads on a Tapcon® screw use Advanced Threadform Technology which makes the screw easier to install since the screw requires less torque.
Q: Why are Tapcons more expensive than other brands of concrete screws?
A: The original Tapcon® concrete screw is more expensive than other brands of concrete screws because it is a much higher quality screw. Tapcons are made in America, have a life long coating and offer fast and easy installation. The cheaper, knock off screws may cost less but will offer a much lower success rate when trying to drive them into concrete.
Q: Are Tapcons Miami Dade approved?
A: Yes, Tapcons are Miami Dade approved. It is important to remember that if the concrete screw used is not an original Tapcon®, that it may not be Miami Dade approved.
Q: Why are Tapcons blue?
A: The blue color of the Tapcon® screw is a Climaseal® coating that is applied in multiple stages using a dip-spin technology and provides extra rust resistance. Very often, the knock off or generic concrete screws are also blue in color but in most cases is only paint to fool consumers into thinking that it is coated like the Tapcon® screw.
Q: Why is the diameter of the drill bit for the Tapcon® screw smaller than the diameter of the screw it is used with?
A: The bit used is smaller than the screw because it is drilling a pilot hole. The concrete screw is driven into the hole and cuts its own threads into the outer wall of the hole.
Q: What is the difference between the Blue screw and the Tapcon®?
A: The blue screw is an industry name for Original Tapcon® screws.
Q: Can I drill the hole for the screw through the fixture being fastened or do I need to spot the hole and then hope the holes line up?
A: Tapcons are one piece fasteners that require no sleeve of any kind. Therefore, the hole can be drilled through the fixture into the base material.
Q: How far into the cement do I need to get the Tapcon® screw?
A: The minimum embedment of the screw is 1" into the base material.
Q: Can I put Tapcons into the ground using my drill or do I need to buy an installation tool?
A: A Tapcon® installation tool is used mostly by people using a large amount of Tapcons to eliminate the use of two drills or to save time changing the bit in the drill.
Q: Why is there only 1-3/4" of thread on Tapcons?
A: There is only 1-3/4" of thread to keep the installer from trying to drive the screw past maximum embedment.
Q: How many steps are involved when using the Tapcon® Condrive Installation Tool?
A: There are three steps when using this installation tool: Drill the hole with a Tapcon® bit, clean the hole and drive the screw into the hole.
Q: How long of a Tapcon® do I need to use when I am fastening a 3/4" sheet of ACQ treated plywood to concrete?
A: Most people use a 1/4" x 2-1/4" flat head concrete screw for fastening a 3/4" plywood to concrete. This will ensure that the screw is placed into the base material past the minimum embedment required for the 1/4" Tapcon® screw.
Q: How many holes can I drill into concrete with a Tapcon® drill bit?
A: The life of the bit depends on the hardness of the concrete being drilled as well as the quality of the hammer drill and experience of the installer.
Q: How deep do I drill the hole with the drill bit?
A: The hole drilled with the bit should be 1/4" deeper than the Tapcon® depth at which the screw will be installed into the base material.
Q: Do I use the same size Philips tip to install the 1/4" and 3/16" flat head countersunk Tapcon® screw?
A: No, the 1/4" flat head countersunk screw uses a #3 tip and the 3/16 flat countersunk Tapcon® uses a #2 tip.
Q: Do 1/4" stainless steel Tapcons use a different size drill bit than the original blue Tapcon® screw?
A: No, stainless steel Tapcons and original Tapcon® concrete screws use the same drill bit according to the diameter of the screw being used. The 1/4" screw uses a 3/16" bit and the 3/16" screw uses a 5/32" bit.
Q: Why is the shear strength of the Tapcon® screw less in lightweight hollow block than it is in concrete?
A: Designated holding power of Tapcons depends on the quality of the masonry material, depth of embedment and proper hole size.
Q: Is the hex head Tapcon® screw available with a Philips head?
A: No, the hex washer head is only made with a slot in the hex head of the screw.
Q: How do I clean the hole before I drive the Tapcon® screw?
A: The predrilled hole for the screw can be cleaned out with a shop vaccuum or compressed air, or a wire brush.
Q: Are Tapcons available in 8" lengths?
A: No, Tapcons are available in 1/4" x 6". This is the longest Tapcon® screw available.
Q: What size nut setter do I need to use to drive a 1/4" hex head Tapcon®?
A: When using a 1/4" screw with a hex head, the driver size used to drive the screw is 5/16:.
Q: Can I use a 1/4" x 6" Tapcon® screw to fasten a 2x4 to concrete to gain extra holding values since the screw will go into the concrete 4-1/2"?
A: No, the deepest a Tapcon® screw can be driven into concrete is 1-3/4". If the installer tries to drive the screw any deeper than this, the screw will bind up and the head will shear off.
Stainless Steel Tapcon® FAQs