How to Secure a 2-by-4 Cleat to a Concrete Block Wall

Whether you're installing a rim board for a lowered ceiling or a ledger to support a new floor, the structural support requires you attach a cleat securely to a concrete block wall. The two most effective means work equally well for specific conditions. Concrete nails can be appropriate for a small or temporary cleat that carries less load, while metal wall anchors are much more permanent and offer engineered load ratings.

Concrete Nails

• 1

  Measure and mark each end of the cleat location on the concrete block wall with a tape measure and pencil, then connect the marks with a chalkline.

• 2

  Position the wood cleat against the concrete block wall, aligned with the layout mark.

• 3

  Secure the wood cleat to the concrete block all with concrete nails, using a small sledgehammer and spacing the concrete nails approximately 12 to 16 inches apart and 6 inches from each end. Apply construction adhesive to the back of the wood cleat before installing it to increase attachment to the wall surface.

Wall Anchors

• 1

  Lay out the anchor bolt hole spacing on the 2-by-4 wood cleat. Typically, 16- to 24-inch spacing is used with 3/8-inch wall anchors, but verify the manufacturer's recommended spacing for the anchors being used.

• 2

  Drill 7/16-inch holes through the wood cleat at each anchor center point marked in Step 1.

• 3

  Measure and mark each end of the wood cleat location on the concrete block wall, then connect the marks with a chalkline.

• 4

  Align the wood cleat with the layout line chalked in Step 3, and mark the concrete block wall surface at each bolt hole in the wood cleat with a pencil.

• 5

  Drill a wall anchor hole in the concrete block wall at each center line marked in Step 4. Each hole's depth must allow the wall anchor to fill fully into the hole with the anchor flush to the wall surface.

• 6

  Add a dab of construction adhesive to the ribbed sides of the wall anchor, then insert one anchor into each hole drilled for the wood cleat.

• 7

  Position the wood cleat against the wall surface with the bolt holes aligned with the wall anchors, then secure the wood cleat to the wall with a hex bolt and flat washer at each hole. Use an adjustable wrench to tighten the bolts firmly against the cleat surface.