I am getting a house built, and it looks like one of my anchor bolt wasn't placed correctly (not inside the wood). I compared with a they dont all appear to be like mine. Should I be worried about this? I attached a picture of the bolt in question.
Anchor In Foundation Doesn’t Seem Right
constructionfoundation
Related Topic
- How to reinforce bowing foundation
- Drywall – workaround for ground anchor settling in clay
- Cracks on both side of the bay window
- Walls – Should I be worried that the anchor bolts are not centered on the sill plate
- Wiring – How to bring low voltage wire through foundation
- Concrete Foundation – Problem with Sprinkler Line Through Concrete Shed Footing?
- How is the house’s foundation constructed
Best Answer
There are two things in the photo: 1) anchor bolt, and 2) holddown. You must live in a “high wind” area or a “seismically active” area.
1) The anchor bolt is used to secure the plate to the foundation. The plywood sheathing is then nailed into the plate to create a “shear panel” (shear wall). It’s a bit unusual to me because it has a head. Usually the bolt’s threaded end extends out of the concrete a few inches. Then when the plate is installed a nut and washer is installed AND TIGHTENED DOWN. This installation does not allow it to be tightened. (Maybe they drive the anchor bolt deep enough that the plate sits tight to the concrete.). The 3” square washer is to keep the plate from pulling off the foundation wall. (I’d check to make sure the anchor bolts have a hook (about 1” hook) so it doesn’t pull out. It should also be about 10” long...in order to develop “full resistance “.
2) The holddown is used to keep the shear wall from rotating away from the concrete. If it starts to rotate away, it will unzip the full length of the wall. It seems properly anchored into a post (post must be a minimum of 3” thickness), but I’d make sure all the holes in the metal connector have a screw into the post. What seems odd is the rod is placed off center of the concrete wall. In order for it to develop full strength, the rod needs to be 1) deformed, 2) set in a 8” wide concrete wall, and 3) encased in concrete about a minimum of 18” (depending on the load it’s resisting. Sometimes they are 48” long...but I’d expect it to have a larger diameter.)
I’d ask the builder why this doesn’t match up to the others and I’d call it to the attention of the Building Inspector. You did get a Building Permit, right?