Resources and FAQ

An anchor bolt ties the timber frame of a building to its concrete foundation. It passes through the sill plate — the horizontal timber sitting on the foundation — and anchors into the concrete below, so that wind uplift and seismic movement are transferred into the foundation instead of shifting the structure off it.

The International Residential Code sets the common baseline: anchor bolts no more than 6 feet apart, with one within 12 inches of each end of every plate section, and at least two bolts per plate. Local jurisdictions can set their own requirements, and on a repair the engineer of record determines the spacing that applies to your project.

Yes. That is the purpose of a retrofit anchor bolt. The failed J-bolt or strap is cut out and the replacement is installed into the existing concrete, so the foundation stays in place and the structure does not need to be lifted or re-poured.

The usual signs are rust staining or streaking on the stem wall, cracking or spalling of the concrete around a bolt, a nut that turns freely or has no resistance, a washer sitting loose against the plate, or visible movement between the sill plate and the foundation. Corrosion does its damage inside the concrete, so visible rust normally means the problem is already advanced.

A J-bolt is cast into wet concrete when the foundation is poured, so it can only be installed during construction. A retrofit anchor bolt is designed to be installed into concrete that has already cured, which is what makes it suitable for repair and replacement work on an existing building.

It depends on the jurisdiction. Some cities require no permit for this work and others do. Local building officials may also ask for a letter from the engineer of record before the work proceeds, so it is worth confirming with your building department before scheduling.

Grade B7 rod — a heat-treated chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel with a minimum tensile strength of 125 ksi (860 MPa), yield of 105 ksi (720 MPa) and maximum hardness of 35 HRC. They are manufactured in the USA.

It depends on what failed and what the connection has to carry. Standard Knife Anchor Bolts replace corroded J-bolts and tension tie straps in wood-framed structures, Center Plate anchors suit sill plate and mudsill connections, and Dead Shoring Bolts provide temporary support while the repair is carried out. Comparing the load values and material specifications for your specific application is the responsibility of the engineer of record.

Yes. Exceeds ACI standards nationwide, and some cities don’t require a permit at all.

Our clients report pricing bolts at 2 times or more of cost.

Average shipping times for delivery are between 5 and 8 business days.

Yes. Grade B7 rod is a heat-treated chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel with minimum tensile strength requirement of 125 ksi (860 Mpa), yield 105 ksi (720 Mpa), and maximum hardness of 35HRC.

The J-bolts and Straps corrosion expanding up to 5 times their size in diameter breaking out the concrete foundation walls.