Best way to fasten 1x2 furring strips to concrete block walls

miamicuse

Wondering what is the best way to fasten 1x2 PT furring strips to concrete block walls?

I think my preferred choice would be a Ramset gun shooting nails but I don't have one.

The existing furring strips done back in the 70s they used hard cut mason nails. How were those applied? Hand hammered in? That's too much work.

I am now using Tapcons, but I found that to be hit and miss. On the solid concrete tie beam, I drilled with the Tapcon bit and most times when the screws bottom out it spins and do not lock tight. After a few tries I figured out what happened. If I blow air in using those keyboard dusting canisters to clear the concrete dust inside the holes, the Tapcon bites well.

However on hollow blocks I am still struggling. Half the screw won't bit well when bottom out. Since these are furring strips I need the screw head flushed with the wood, so I am using the flat head philips Tapcon and not the hex head ones. I tried screwing to the web or ends of the blocks but still hits and misses.

Any tricks anyone care to share?

Ravenworks

Construction adhesive plus the ramset you should be fine,try to shoot into the mortar joint and NOT into the block because it weakens them and you run the chance of other problems.

Tom Struble

these are my favorite wood- masonry anchors
http://www.sierraanchors.com/Nail-ins.html

miamicuse

For this all you need to do is to pre-drill the hole and hammer it in?

Will it be flushed with the wood or will the nail head protrude out a little?

Tom Struble

yes,the nail head does not protrude from the fastener

miamicuse

What type of construction adhesive? You mean something like LiquidNail or Gorilla glue?

sublime2

Keep in mind the wood needs to be PT if it will be in direct contact with the block.

hammadzfr

we often have seen block masonry or brick masonry but I havenm't seen walls being prepared by copncrete and block masonry as well .

is there a way to do so if yes please let me know

Ravenworks

A general construction adhesive will do,liquid nails will work

mae-ling

PL Premium concrete

Gary in WA

Any species wood will do with a vapor barrier at block/wood on the wall only, #7: http://publicecodes.citation.com/ico...9_3_sec017.htm

Or, without the v.b.:
NATURALLY DURABLE WOOD. The heartwood of the following species with the exception that an occasional piece with corner sapwood is permitted if 90 percent or more of the width of each side on which it occurs is heartwood. Decay resistant. Redwood, cedar, black locust and black walnut.Termite resistant. Alaska yellow cedar, redwood, Eastern red cedar and Western red cedar including all sapwood of Western red cedar.

P.t. still lets water through to your drywall unless you add a poly plastic or shield like Grace (or sill-sealer); http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...-building-code

Gary

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