Mechanical Repair Anchor for Masonry Veneer

Grip-Tie Mechanical Repair Anchor Dual-Expansion Façade Re-Anchoring for Masonry Veneers

The Grip-Tie Mechanical Repair Anchor (Part No. 62200-550) is a dual-expansion mechanical anchor engineered for stabilizing and re-anchoring existing masonry, stone, or precast veneer facades. Designed for contractors and restoration professionals, it establishes a mechanical connection by gripping both the back-up structure and the veneer, then bridging them with a stainless steel threaded shaft. The system addresses conditions such as insufficient or corroded original ties, wind-load deficiencies, composite wall failures, and soft brick or mortar deterioration without requiring tear-down or full facade replacement.

Unlike adhesive or grouted systems, the Grip-Tie anchor does not draw the wythes of material together, eliminating the additional tension stresses between wythes that can occur with other remedial anchor approaches. The torque-activated gripping action also provides a built-in quality-control mechanism — each anchor can be verified during and after installation by torque measurement or tension testing, giving installers and inspectors objective confirmation of anchor engagement without exposed hardware.

Technical Specifications

Key Features & Benefits

Dual-Expansion Mechanical Grip

The anchor uses 360-degree brass shield expanders at both the veneer and back-up ends, creating a secure mechanical connection in both substrates simultaneously. This dual-grip design distributes load across both wythes rather than relying on a single point of attachment, resulting in robust façade stabilization.

No Wall-Drawing Action

The Grip-Tie anchor is specifically engineered so it does not pull the veneer and back-up together during installation. This prevents the introduction of additional lateral or tensile stresses between wythes — a critical consideration when working with aging or already-stressed masonry assemblies.

Post-Install Quality Control via Torque or Tension Testing

Because engagement is mechanically activated by torque, each installed anchor can be verified to specification using a torque wrench or tension test — no guesswork about bond cure times or adhesive consistency. This gives project engineers, inspectors, and contractors a reliable, documentable means of quality assurance on every installed anchor.

Corrosion-Resistant Materials Throughout

Every component — brass expanders, 304 stainless steel shaft, and 300-series stainless hardware — is corrosion resistant. This extends the façade's design life and reduces the likelihood of anchor degradation being the cause of a future re-anchoring requirement.

No Exposed Hardware, No Hammering Activity

The anchor is installed through a drilled hole in the mortar joint and the hole is patched after installation, leaving no exposed hardware on the façade face. The rotary-only drilling method eliminates disturbing hammering activity, which is important when working on occupied buildings or fragile historic masonry.

Flexible Stainless Steel Shaft

The engineered stainless steel connector shaft is designed to accommodate movement during thermal cycles while maintaining the strength required to resist live wind loads. This flexibility prevents the anchor from becoming a rigid stress concentrator in the wall assembly over time.

Common Applications

Brick Veneer Cavity Walls with Insufficient or Corroded Original Ties

When existing wall ties have corroded or were installed at insufficient density, Grip-Tie anchors can be post-installed to restore the required connection between the veneer and back-up without demolition.

Wind-Load Fortification of Existing Facades

Masonry facades that no longer meet current wind-load criteria can be strengthened by the addition of Grip-Tie mechanical anchors, allowing the building to meet updated code requirements in lieu of facade replacement.

Re-Anchoring to Metal or Wood Stud Back-Up

The 5300R Series anchors address stud-framed back-up conditions, making Grip-Tie applicable to the wide range of commercial and residential buildings with light-frame or metal-stud backup structures.

Hollow CMU or Concrete Block Back-Up

The 5100 Series is specifically designed for hollow backup conditions, using an expanding anchor that engages the shell of a hollow block without requiring a fully grouted core.

Structural Steel Back-Up

The 5200 Series addresses structural steel backup scenarios, including tile-backed assemblies, broadening the system's applicability to curtain wall and steel-frame building types.

Composite Walls with Failed Header Brick

In composite masonry walls where header bricks have failed due to soft brick or mortar deterioration, Grip-Tie anchors provide a means to restore structural continuity between wythes without disturbing the remaining masonry.

Compatible Materials

• Veneers: Brick, stone, precast concrete
• Back-Up – Solid: Concrete, grouted CMU, brick
• Back-Up – Hollow: Hollow CMU
• Back-Up – Framed: Metal stud, wood stud
• Back-Up – Steel: Structural steel

Product Documents

• Technical Brochure
• Installation Guide

Application Instructions

General Preparation (All Series)

1. Select the proper anchor length based on the face-of-veneer to face-of-backup dimension (dimension A) using the series-specific selection guide.
2. Consult local building codes and design professionals to establish spacing requirements and wind-load criteria before layout.
3. Mark anchor locations at mortar joint intersections (tee joints) at the required spacing: one per four square feet for masonry/concrete back-up, or 16" horizontal by 24" vertical for metal or wood stud back-up.

5000 Series — Solid Back-Up Installation

1. Drill the appropriate hole at the tee joint location to the required depth (dimension B) using a rotary-hammer or hammer drill.
2. Blow out all drill fines from the hole.
3. Assemble the threaded portion of the complete anchor assembly to the Grip-Tie 501 Setting Tool. The hex bolt on the tool must be fully seated. Thread the shaft into the tool until it stops.
4. Insert the entire assembly into the drilled hole until it bottoms, then tighten to 50–100 in-lbs. Remove the setting tool by loosening the bolt head while holding the tool firmly and spinning the tool off the anchor.
5. Slide the socket and adaptor onto the square drive of the 501 Tool and onto the 5/16" hex nut of the installed anchor; tighten to 50–100 in-lbs.
6. Remove the socket and plug the hole.

5000R Series — Solid Back-Up (Mortar Joint Drill) Installation

1. Select the proper anchor length based on face-of-veneer to face-of-backup dimension (A).
2. Drill the appropriate hole through the mortar joint to depth C.
3. Blow out all drill fines.
4. Fit the threaded shaft, with expander assembly at the opposite end, to the 501R setting tool (hex bolt must be seated); thread shaft into tool until it stops. Insert assembly into hole until it bottoms; tighten to 50–100 in-lbs.
5. Remove the tool by holding it firmly, loosening the hex bolt, then spinning the tool off the anchor shaft by hand.
6. Place the outer brass shield over the main body with slots facing outward and slide over the shaft until it stops against the nut. Place the slot of the tapered cone onto the 501R tangs, position the tapered cone onto the shaft, and tighten to 50–100 in-lbs.
7. Remove the tool and patch the hole.

5100 Series — Hollow Back-Up Installation

1. Select the proper anchor length based on face-of-veneer to face-of-backup dimension (A).
2. Drill a 1/2" hole through the tee joint (no impact mode) and a 3/8" hole in the backup at least 2" deep, using a 3-jaw chuck hammer drill on rotary-hammer mode or an SDS+ drill on rotary-only mode.
3. Blow out all drill fines.
4. Assemble the threaded portion of the anchor to the Grip-Tie 501 Setting Tool (hex bolt must be seated); thread shaft into tool until it stops. Insert assembly into hole until it bottoms; tighten to 50–100 in-lbs.
5. Remove the tool by holding it firmly, loosening the hex bolt, then spinning the tool off the anchor shaft by hand.
6. Slide the socket drive and adaptor onto the square drive of the 501 tool and onto the 5/16" nut of the installed anchor; tighten to 50–100 in-lbs.
7. Remove the socket and patch the hole.

5200 Series — Structural Steel Back-Up Installation

1. Select the proper anchor length based on face-of-veneer to face-of-backup dimension (A).
2. Drill a 1/2" hole through the mortar joint (no impact) and either a 3/8" hole for tile backup or a 7/16" hole in the steel backup.
3. Blow out all drill fines.
4. Assemble the threaded portion of the anchor to the Grip-Tie 501 Setting Tool (hex bolt must be seated); thread shaft into tool until it stops. Insert assembly into hole until it bottoms; tighten to 50–100 in-lbs.
5. Remove the tool by holding it firmly, loosening the hex bolt, then spinning the tool off the anchor shaft by hand.
6. Complete anchor expansion per the series-specific procedure; tighten to 50–100 in-lbs.
7. Patch the hole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Grip-Tie anchor pull the veneer and back-up walls together during installation?
A: No. The Grip-Tie anchor is specifically designed so it does not draw the wythes of material together, which eliminates the additional tension stresses between wythes that could result from other repair anchor approaches.

Q: How can I verify that each anchor is properly installed?
A: Because engagement is mechanically activated by torque, each anchor can be inspected and confirmed during or after installation using torque measurement or tension testing — providing an objective, documentable means of quality control.

Q: What anchor series should I select for my specific back-up condition?
A: For veneers greater than 3" thick: use the 5000 or 5000R Series for solid backup (concrete, grouted CMU, brick); the 5100 Series for hollow backup; the 5200 Series for structural steel backup; and the 5300R Series for wood or metal stud backup.

Q: Are other anchor lengths available beyond the standard catalog sizes?
A: Yes. Per the product documentation, other lengths are available upon request beyond the standard catalog sizes listed for each series.

Q: Should I rely solely on the standard spacing guidelines for my project?
A: No. Standard spacing values (one tie per four square feet for masonry/concrete back-up; 16" horizontal by 24" vertical for stud back-up) are provided as typical guidelines. You must consult local building codes and design professionals to establish project-specific spacing requirements and wind-load criteria.

Q: Is field testing recommended for repair projects?
A: Yes. Because the as-built material quality and current building conditions in a repair situation are often unknown, it is not uncommon for installation criteria and performance qualification to be obtained via field tests in order to confirm design assumptions. Site testing is encouraged for verification of load capacity.