Mechanical Repair Masonry Anchor

Grip-Tie Mechanical Repair Masonry Anchor — Dual-Expansion Re-Anchoring for Existing Facades

The Grip-Tie Mechanical Repair Anchor is a dual-expansion post-installed anchor system engineered to stabilize and re-anchor existing masonry, stone, or precast facades to a wide range of backup structures. Designed for contractors and restoration professionals, it creates a mechanical connection by gripping both the backup and veneer independently, then bridging them with a stainless steel threaded shaft. This system is suitable for brick, stone, or precast veneers backed by concrete, CMU (hollow or grouted), metal stud, wood stud, structural steel, or brick. Part Number: 62200-550.

Unlike adhesive or non-mechanical tie systems, the Grip-Tie uses torque-activated brass expansion anchors that can be verified during and after installation via torque measurement or tension testing, giving contractors an objective means of quality control on the jobsite. The anchor does not draw wythes together, which eliminates the introduction of additional lateral tension stresses into already compromised wall assemblies.

Technical Specifications

Key Features & Benefits

Torque-Activated Dual-Expansion Gripping Action

Each anchor uses 360-degree brass expanders at both the veneer and backup ends, activated by torquing to 50–100 in-lbs. This creates a formidable mechanical grip in the base material without relying on adhesives or grout, making performance predictable and repeatable across varying substrate conditions.

No Wall-Drawing Forces

The Grip-Tie anchor is specifically engineered so that installation does not pull the veneer wythe toward the backup structure. This eliminates the risk of introducing additional tension stresses between wythes — a critical consideration when working with deteriorated or compromised existing facades.

Post-Install Quality Control Verification

Because the connection is mechanical, installed anchors can be verified by torque measurement or tension testing after installation. This gives engineers, inspectors, and contractors a documented, objective means of confirming anchor performance — particularly valuable when as-built material conditions are unknown.

Corrosion-Resistant Construction

All components — the 304 stainless steel shaft, 360 brass expanders, and 300 series stainless hardware — are manufactured from corrosion-resistant materials. This contributes to long-term facade durability and extended design life, reducing the likelihood of anchor degradation over the service life of the repair.

No Exposed Hardware

The anchor assembly is fully concealed within the drilled hole once installed and patched, leaving no exposed hardware on the facade face. This preserves the aesthetic appearance of the building exterior without requiring additional finishing work.

Broad Substrate Compatibility with Series Selection

The Grip-Tie product line offers distinct series tailored to solid backup (5000/5000R), hollow backup (5100), structural steel backup (5200), and wood or metal stud backup (5300R). Contractors can select the appropriate series based on actual field conditions, allowing one anchor family to address a wide range of facade repair scenarios.

Easy Installation with Standard Tools

Anchors can be installed with either hand tools or power tools using the Grip-Tie 501 Setting Tool, without requiring specialized or proprietary equipment. The lack of hammering activity during installation minimizes disturbance to adjacent facade elements that may already be fragile.

Common Applications

Brick Veneer Cavity Walls with Insufficient or Corroded Ties

Where original wall ties have corroded or were installed at inadequate spacing, Grip-Tie anchors can be post-installed to restore the required tie density and structural connection between the veneer and backup.

Wind-Load Fortification of Existing Facades

Existing masonry facades that do not meet current wind-load requirements can be fortified by adding Grip-Tie anchors at engineered spacing, avoiding the cost and disruption of full facade replacement.

Re-Anchoring Brick to Metal or Wood Stud Backup

Brick facades on metal or wood stud backup structures — a common construction type in commercial and institutional buildings — can be re-anchored using the 5300R Series at standard 16" × 24" spacing or as required by local code.

Composite Walls with Failed Header Brick

In composite wall systems where header bricks have deteriorated due to soft brick or mortar failure, Grip-Tie anchors provide a mechanical replacement for the structural connection that the headers previously provided.

Re-Anchoring to Hollow CMU or Concrete Block Backup

The 5100 Series is specifically designed for hollow backup conditions, making it appropriate for facades backed by hollow CMU where toggle-style or through-anchor solutions are required to achieve adequate grip.

Structural Steel Backup Re-Anchoring

The 5200 Series addresses structural steel backup conditions, allowing masonry or stone veneers attached to steel-framed structures to be re-anchored where the original connection has degraded.

Compatible Materials

• Veneers: Brick, stone, precast concrete
• Backup Structures: Concrete (solid), CMU — hollow or grouted, metal stud, wood stud, structural steel, brick

Product Documents

• Technical Brochure
• Installation Guide

Application Instructions

5000 Series — Solid Backup Installation

1. Select the proper anchor length based on the face-of-veneer to face-of-backup dimension (A).
2. Drill the appropriate hole at the mortar "tee" joint location to depth B.
3. Blow out all drill fines from the hole.
4. Assemble the threaded portion of the complete anchor assembly to the Grip-Tie 501 Setting Tool (hex bolt on tool must be fully seated); thread shaft into tool until it stops.
5. Insert the entire assembly into the drilled hole until it bottoms; tighten to 50–100 in-lbs; remove setting tool by loosening the bolt head while holding the tool firmly, then spin the tool off the anchor.
6. Slide 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.
7. Remove socket and plug hole.

5000R Series — Solid Backup Installation (Mortar Joint Entry)

1. Select 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 from the hole.
4. Fit the threaded shaft, with expander assembly opposite, to the 501R setting tool (hex bolt must be seated); thread shaft into tool until it stops; insert assembly into drilled hole until it bottoms; tighten to 50–100 in-lbs.
5. Remove tool by holding firmly, loosening the hex bolt, then spinning the tool off the anchor shaft by hand.
6. Place outer brass shield over main body (slots facing outward) and slide over shaft until it stops against nut; place slot of tapered cone onto the 501R tangs; position tapered cone onto shaft and tighten to 50–100 in-lbs.
7. Remove tool and patch hole.

5100 Series — Hollow Backup Installation

1. Select proper anchor length based on face-of-veneer to face-of-backup dimension (A).
2. Drill a 1/2" hole through the mortar "tee" joint (no impact) 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 from the hole.
4. Assemble the threaded portion of the complete anchor assembly to the Grip-Tie 501 Setting Tool (hex bolt must be seated); thread shaft into tool until it stops; insert assembly into drilled hole until it bottoms; tighten to 50–100 in-lbs.
5. Remove tool by holding firmly, loosening the hex bolt, then spinning the tool off the anchor shaft by hand.
6. Slide 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 socket and patch hole.

5200 Series — Structural Steel Backup Installation

1. Select 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 a 3/8" hole for tile backup or a 7/16" hole in the steel backup.
3. Blow out all drill fines from the hole.
4. Assemble the threaded portion of the complete anchor assembly to the Grip-Tie 501 Setting Tool (hex bolt must be seated); thread shaft into setting tool until it stops; insert assembly into drilled hole until it bottoms; tighten to 50–100 in-lbs.
5. Remove tool by holding firmly, loosening the hex bolt, then spinning the tool off the anchor shaft by hand.
6. Complete installation per setting tool instructions; patch hole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I select the correct Grip-Tie series for my project?
A: Series selection is based on backup condition and veneer thickness greater than 3". Use the 5000 or 5000R Series for solid backup, the 5100 Series for hollow backup, the 5200 Series for structural steel backup, and the 5300R Series for wood or metal stud backup.

Q: Does the Grip-Tie anchor draw the veneer and backup walls together during installation?
A: No. The Grip-Tie is specifically designed so that the anchor does not draw wythes together, thereby eliminating the introduction of additional tension stresses between the veneer and backup — a key consideration in repair applications where the existing wall assembly may already be stressed.

Q: Can installed anchors be verified after installation?
A: Yes. Because the Grip-Tie uses a mechanical torque-activated connection, anchors can be verified during and after installation by torque measurement or tension testing, providing a documented quality control record.

Q: What is the recommended anchor spacing?
A: For masonry or concrete backup, the standard spacing is one tie per four square feet of veneer. For metal or wood stud backup, common spacing is 16 inches horizontal by 24 inches vertical. Always consult local design and code professionals to confirm spacing requirements and wind-load criteria for your specific project.

Q: What tools are required for installation?
A: Anchors can be installed with hand tools or power tools using the Grip-Tie 501 Setting Tool. Depending on the series, a 3-jaw chuck hammer drill on rotary-hammer mode or an SDS+ drill on rotary-only mode may be used for drilling. No specialized or proprietary equipment beyond the setting tool is required.

Q: Are field tests recommended before installation?
A: Yes. Because as-built material quality and current building conditions in repair situations are often unknown, it is not uncommon to obtain installation criteria and performance qualification via field tests to confirm design assumptions before full installation proceeds.