How to Anchor Patio Covers to Cement Patios
Knowing how to securely anchor your patio cover support posts to your cement patio allows you to build the cover yourself. That gives you control over the budget, the design and the time frame of the construction. Use the proper tools to secure the support posts to the patio and you'll have a cover that lasts for years, providing you and your family with a comfortable and shady place to enjoy your yard. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Wooden mounts
- Drill
- Masonry bit
- Masonry anchor
- Crescent wrench
- Galvanized screws
- 4-by-4-inch posts
- Level
- 2-by-4-inch lumber
- Lag bolts
- Joist hangers
- 2-by-4-inch joists
Instructions
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Determine how large your patio cover will be and mark the spots for your corner support posts. Check your local building codes to find out whether you need additional supports in between the corner supports. This will be determined by the width and material of your patio cover. Typically for cloth or tarp covers, corner posts are enough; wooden covers require additional support posts.
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Set wood mounts into the positions you marked for your corner posts and mark the holes for the anchors. Set your pencil inside the pre-existing anchor holes and draw a mark on the patio. Move the mounts out of the way. Drill the holes for the masonry anchors that will hold the mounts, using a masonry bit that is the appropriate size for the pre-existing anchor holes. Insert the masonry anchors through the wood mounts. Tighten the anchors with a crescent wrench.
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Set your posts into the mounts and level. Hold a level to the side of the posts and move them until the bubble in the level is centered. Screw galvanized screws through the pre-existing holes in the wood mounts and into the 4-by-4-inch wooden support posts.
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Install 2-by-4-inch framing around the top of your support posts, screwing through the 2-by-4s and into the 4-by-4 posts. Use lag bolts to secure the frame to the posts. Screw joist hangers to the frame and hang 2-by-4-inch joists to support your patio cover. Screw through the pre-existing holes in your joist hangers and into your joists to secure them in place. The tops of your joist hangers should be flush with the top of your 2-by-4 framing. The spacing of your joist hangers is determined by the type of cover you're installing and your local building codes.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact your local government to determine your building code requirements, permits and inspections you need. Make sure your support posts and the distance between your joists are within building code specifications.
References
- Photo Credit Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images
