Builders often recommend concrete, but some experts also agree that asphalt is a smart choice to use as a foundation. It provides distinct and incomparable factors that are excellent for structure. But is it easy or challenging to anchor a fixture to asphalt? Is it too complicated or manageable to do for beginners?
Asphalt as foundation
Thrifty owners like asphalt because it’s cost-effective. It is relatively affordable, not to mention repairable or replaceable if its quality deteriorates. Asphalt is also recyclable, so it is eco-friendly material too.
As a foundation for an outbuilding, asphalt is the best bet if the structure stands in a sea and colder area. It absorbs heat more than cold temperatures. In effect, it melts snow and soaks up water including salt water. So, asphalt can help to maintain the sturdiness of structures like carport, pergola, or shed.
On the other side, anchoring a fixture to asphalt is challenging for owner-builders. It is because when you pound anchors into asphalt; it expands and creates crevices. The expansion makes anchoring to it is of no use or produces substandard value.
Anchor to asphalt
To anchor to asphalt, builders must shrewdly use the correct process and materials suited for this.
What’s in an Asphalt Anchor kit? In an asphalt anchor kit, typically you see a bag or two of the grout. Grout is important to properly and firmly cement anchors to asphalt. Also, it is the answer for crevices that emerge in asphalt. In the bags of grout, you may notice an EPX2 or EPX3 label. This has something to do with ground temperature and asphalt anchor type where it matches to use.
As for the asphalt anchors, it comes with different variants, such as dacromets, stainless steel, galvanized, and zinc plated. The anchors are the material to put in the holes, and they also have SP10, SP12, SP16, or SP18 types, which relate to the load capacity of the fixture. The washers prevent asphalt anchors from dropping but make the holes with grout closed. Thus, the washer should be large enough to hold the asphalt anchor. The thread bolts fasten washers and anchors.
Steps to anchor a fixture to asphalt?
- Mark holes in the base and asphalt.
- Drill holes in the asphalt. Make sure holes are according to the spec of asphalt anchors. Use a hammer drill and masonry drill bit.
- Clean holes with a wire brush or blower.
- Mix grout and with the right amount of water. Too much or too little water affects the grout quality and drying time.
- Fill up each hole with grout mixture and carefully push an anchor with a washer and bolt immediately. Don’t forget that the mixture dries in 10-15 minutes and you also need to remove excess grout around the holes. Allow 1-2 hours for the mixture to dry.
- Separate the bolt and washer from an anchor.
- Place the fixture with a pre-drilled hole above the anchor, then put a washer and bolt in it.
- Torque the bolt using a wrench. Be careful that you do it according to its torque value limit.
For your outbuilding needs, contact us at Lion Carports today!
