How to replace damaged Anka screw?

Hi there,

I am in need of some advice please.

I've just installed shelving in my garage......and I've come across 1 small problem.

I installed heavy duty shelf brackets with 8mm x 60mm Anka screws.

Each bracket has three screws........and unfortunately 1 screw in 1 bracket stripped out. I am assuming the crumbly / brittle brickwork broke, and the thread didn't take in the brick.

The screw that didn't take is the top one on a bracket.....so therefore the attachment that is taking most of the load I assume.

Anyways.......I need to replace the Anka screw with something, but not sure what.

I used heavy duty brackets, rated to 300kg.

19mm structural ply.

And the 8mm X 60mm Anka screws.

I am not sure of the weight I'll be loading on the shelves, but wanted to make it completely sturdy so it can take a good amount of weight.

Pictures attached here.

Appreciate advice from those that know what I should do to fix.

Thanks,

Grant.

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wooshka

Hi @gmw72 , those screws are designed i think to only go into a solid substance, so it there is a cavity in the brick when you drill there is nothing to compact when they tighten, you will probably need to replace them with some DynaBolts or Loxin achors

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @gmw72. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about installing Ankascrews.

I just wanted to confirm that Ankascrews are suitable for hollow bricks; I did need to double-check, though. As @wooshka mentioned, you must be very careful when tightening them, especially in hollow brick. You need to tighten them until the fixture is held firm, but do not over-tighten them. One turn past firm, and you'll start stripping the brick out.

I'd suggest your best option here is to move the bracket over to a new area and re-install it. I wouldn't recommend you install a Dynabolt into the same crumbling hole, as I can't imagine it would grip the crumbling material any better, even though it expands.

If you think you might have stripped out a few of the other bricks, you can back your Ankascrews out and squeeze in some Ramset 300ml Chemset UltraFix Plus before re-inserting your screws. This will glue the screws into the hollow brick and fill any voids. Although this product sounds like a solution to your current predicament, I wouldn't necessarily advise you to use it as a quick fix for a brick with no internal integrity. It's more so for glueing a fixing into a non-compromised brick.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

gmw72

Thanks for your reply Mitchell, much appreciated.

I was thinking about using the UltraFix Plus......but rather than using with the Anka Screw, I was thinking to install a stud with the glue, and then install the nut once the glue has cured.

I am not sure if I install the glue with the Anka Screw that I'll be able to torque down the screw, as it'll still likely be stripped (when glue is still curing).

I installed 17 others (Anka screws) yesterday, and all are good.......just this dodgy one.

Argh!

Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

Regards,

Grant.

MitchellMc

Moving the bracket sounds like the best option then, Grant (@gmw72).

Mitchell

thibbert

or remove the anka screw and replace with Ramset Universal Anchor

EricL

Hello @thibbert

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the discussion.

Let me tag @gmw72 to make them aware of your suggestion. The Ramset Universal Anchor could possibly work under the right conditions. If the hole in the brick is not very big and the sleeve still fits reasonably snug, it should anchor itself onto the brick. However, if the structure of the brick has been compromised it's better to relocate the screw.

Eric

gmw72

Hi Eric and @thibbert

Thank you for your inputs above.

I can see that the Ramset universal anchor would work.......I am just concerned about the strength of this as a fixing on my shelf set-up. I am not sure this would be strong enough? (of course it would be better than a stripped Anka Screw 🙂

Especially since the fixing which has failed is the highest hole in bracket, which will take most load I am assuming.

As indicated in original post, the brackets are rated at 300kg, and I've used 19mm structural ply......and 3 Anka Screws per bracket.

Attached here is a picture of the finished shelf now, and partially loaded with items.

Can you advise whether I am correct in thinking the universal anchor won't likely be strong enough......and if I should go with a chemical solution?

I am really not wanting to re-drill / move the bracket if I don't have to.

Many thanks.

Grant.

Jewelleryrescue

HI @gmw72

A tried and proven fix I used a 1000 times over is to pull out the loose screw fully.

I have a packet of bamboo skewers and stick 1 or 2 of them in the hole to take up space. Fill hole 50% to 75% but not super compact then snap them off at wall and then re install old loose screw this should go in nice and tight and i never had one of these fail to-date. Swing your whole weight on it and test it. Repeat if other holes a little loose too. Old carpenters trick they used to use matches on smaller screws back in the day.

If this dosnt work first go repack holes with more sticks. As a plan B

No need to super over tighten screw just until it is flush then a 1/4 turn as main weight bearing is straight down typically.

Use long sticks as short sticks dost 'work un less they are at least same size as screw.

If you dont have skewers pack the hole with any timber i have even used dried hard twigs from outside tree just use long skinny one.

This also works with all the fasteners into brick and hollow brick.

Good luck hope this helps

MitchellMc

Hi Grant @gmw72,

I have concerns about using a Ramset Universal Anchor in a compromised hole. I'd be more comfortable with you glueing the Ankascrew in place. However, there is no better solution than moving the bracket slightly to the left or right to fresh material. If you couldn't possibly move the bracket, then I think it would be worth entertaining the idea of changing/glueing fixings or packing out the hole. That doesn't seem to be the case here, so I'd recommend shifting the bracket over 5cm. You'll then have a shelf that you can load up to full capacity without ever having to wonder whether your fix worked.

As someone that suffers from lifelong injuries because of a shelf failing due to incorrectly installed fixings, I'd hate to see you or your loved ones injured when a permanent fix involves just a slight relocation of a bracket.

Mitchell

gmw72

Hi Jewelleryrescue,

Thanks for your input as written above.

I've done this a number of times with screws into wood (and glued in place first).......but hadn't thought about this with Anka Screw and brick. Have you used this method personally with Anka screws and brick?

The bracket has two of the three Anka screws which are super tight, as should be......and then there's 8 other brackets with 3 Anka screws per bracket, so I am thinking that I for sure want to make it better than it is, but at the same time I have 26 other Anka screws holding the shelves up. 🙂

Thank you for your input, it's much appreciated.

Thanks,

Grant.

gmw72

Many thanks Mitchell.

Regards,

Grant.

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @gmw72

Great you have done this before you know it works skews work well inside brick and masonary too if you want use epoxy or even liqud nails in the hole. as a back up those other glues sound expensive for one hole.

I have used skewers with anka screws as I drilled into grout between the bricks and the one hole was a little oversized. Last job was 50mm square fence post into the house wall 4 bolts I pre drilled holes in post marked them on wall but post must of moved while marking a bit so had to elongate a hole to line up with post through hole. The extra skewers worked and gate never moved a 1mm its being 2 years now and that is buffeted by wind too.

But it is all the same principal the wood takes up space inside the hole and allows the screw thread to bite both into to wood and the wood forces screw thread to bite into the brick wall as it was intended.

The best part is put the skewers into the hole do the screw up and try it with your weight on the bracket close into the wall at first then outwards you will instantly know it has the mechanical strength required soon enough.

I just thought of new solution for your problem amongst many good choices others suggested Buy the next size up Anka screw if the steel bracket to small diameter hole drill it out.

If your keen add more holes to into the bracket and more ankas to wall? but what you have looks great.

I have similar garage shelf like yours and I attached timber to the roof to ensure no sagging brackets. see pic Instead of using brackets I bolted a timber rail across wall and sat the shelf on top of it. I then added tool peg board to the timber underneath as a bonus. Thats held for 22 years todate. But I have the roof supports in the way so thats a design glitch if i had to put some thing long up there. But it sounds like you potentially want to really pile some weight on your shelvesTimber rail under peg board

gmw72

Hi Jewelleryrescue,

Thanks for your further info, much appreciated.

It's good to learn from others who have done this before. 🙂

I like your comment about using a glue also for the wood......as this is what I've done into timber previously.

This is the plan I will go with. 🙂

I started and finished the other side of garage today (and no Anka Screw issues!).

All up I drilled, and installed, 51 Anka screws......and it was just the 1 that I had the issue with. haha! Always one!

Very happy with 9.6m of extra storage space now (shelves are 520mm deep).

Our small little single garage will offer so much more now!

Many thanks for your input, it's greatly appreciated.

Pic attached here of finished job.

🙂

Thanks,

Grant.

Jewelleryrescue

Nice pics of your project @gmw72

I here you about 1 silly small thing going wrong or some time more things dont go as planned thats why its good to use simple fixes along the way as they are an onsite life saver.

If you strive for maximum strength get the next size up anka and screw it in but you might need to drill bracket hole larger too.

You really increased your storage space for any sized object with 520mm wide space those larger boxes for exampe.

Did you test you weight on the repair the the bracket mount?

We have got to keep our advice as real as possible and my ideas might not be explained clearly as it thought re your feed back so I can sleep at nights. But everything tells me it would work 100%

Nice work on your job. Whats next on your list 🙂

EricL

Hello @gmw72

Thank you very much for posting photos of your shelves. I'm glad you've sorted out your AnkaScrew mounting. It looks very sturdy, I'm sure the shelves will come in handy for storage.

We look forward to seeing your next project.

Eric

gmw72

Hi Jewelleryrescue,

Yes.....just the one small issue 😃 ......but have the plan to deal with this. 🙂

I'll do the repair on the weekend.

Haven't loaded that part of shelf up as yet.......but to be honest, it's got the other two screws in it, and it's already solid.

I am going to use Heavy Duty Liquid Nails on the wood in hole......just to ensure there's something solid to screw into. I am confident in this for the repair.

Thanks again for your advice.

As for the next job.....haha!.......we're refreshing our house, as we were living overseas for over 10 years and had our house rented out during that time. So there's plenty to do!

We're in the midst of refreshing the bathrooms at moment.......but I am getting help as required from tiler / plumber / shower screen fitter etc. Still though, I am doing as much of the work as possible myself.

Feel great to have the extra storage space in the garage now......another job ticked off, and onto the next one now!

All the best!

Regards,

Grant.

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @gmw72

Yeah I noticed the spacing was close on the top two holes but the extra glue stops screws from trying to pull out side ways. vertically you have screws going in 60mm that could hold a baby elephant. 🙂

I used to repair rental properties for a realestate agent and one place was trashed doors walls everything soul destroying for owner. But after two monthes got it back to live in I hope your work is just general painting etc

That horrible list every one has lol the worst part is I am holding the pen for my place I am doing the adding.

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