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Make Sure the Hole Is Deep Enough
Click image to enlarge.
Adjust the depth stop to drill a hole 1/4 in. deeper than the screw will penetrate.
Holes for concrete screws should be at least 1/4 in. deeper than the screw will penetrate to allow a little extra space for dust accumulation from the drilling process. See the illustration above. But it’s not always easy to judge how deep you’re drilling. Too shallow and the screw won’t go in. And drilling deeper than necessary is a waste of time and effort. That’s why most hammer drills come equipped with an adjustable depth stop.
Troubleshooting
If you’re having trouble driving the screw all the way, first make sure the hole is deep enough. If it is and you’re
still having trouble, there’s probably too much grit in the hole. Remove the screw and clean out the hole by running the bit in and out a few times. Try driving the screw again. If it’s still stubborn, back it out and redrive it a few times.
If all else fails, install another screw a few inches away. Finally, consider a little shorter screw for the rest of the holes.
Sometimes you’ll have the opposite problem. The screw will spin without gripping. If this happens, the material you’re fastening to is probably too soft or crumbly. Try a longer screw, or if you’re using a 3/16-in. screw, try a 1/4-in. diameter. You may have to use a concrete anchor that expands as you tighten the fastener.
Choose 3/16-in. Screws for Most Light-to Medium-useDuty Tasks
Home centers and hardware stores stock concrete screws in two diameters, 3/16 in. and 1/4 in. The 3/16-in. diameter screws are plenty strong for most home tasks like installing furring strips, screwing down walls to concrete floors, and attaching hardware to block or brick. And since they’re a little cheaper and the smaller hole is easier to drill, the 3/16-in. size is usually the better choice. If you’re having trouble with the 3/16-in. screws snapping off because the concrete is too hard, switch to stronger 1/4-in. diameter screws instead. You could also keep some 1/4-in. screws handy in case you strip out the hole for a 3/16-in. screw. Switch to 1/4-in. screws for heavy-duty work like securing a wall cabinet to a concrete or block wall, or supporting shelving that will hold a lot of weight.
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