Tapcon 3/16 in Blue Climaseal Concrete Screw Anchor Review (2026)
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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- Concrete
- Brick
- Light to medium loads
Tapcon's 3/16 in Climaseal concrete screw threads directly into a drilled hole in concrete, brick or block with no expansion plug, and it's removable and repositionable unlike wedge or sleeve anchors. It's the easiest way to fasten light-to-medium items to masonry, but the hole must be drilled exactly or it strips and pull-out is far below a wedge.
Pros
- No separate plug or expansion sleeve, the screw threads directly into the drilled hole
- Removable and repositionable, unlike wedge or sleeve anchors
- Free correctly-sized carbide bit is included in the box, and Climaseal coating resists corrosion
Cons
- Hole depth and diameter must be exact or the screw strips and loses grip
- Much lower pull-out than a wedge anchor, not for structural or vibrating loads
- Needs a hammer drill for anything but the softest block, and dust must be cleared from the hole
Specifications
| Base material | Concrete, brick, block |
|---|---|
| Load rating | ~650 lb ultimate tension in 4,000 psi concrete (per anchor, derate heavily) |
| Anchor type | Screw-in masonry anchor (no expansion plug) |
| Drill bit | 5/32 in for 3/16 in screw (bit included) |
| Screw | Integral, flat or hex head |
| Best use | Furring strips, brackets, ledger boards, conduit on masonry |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a special bit for Tapcon screws?
- Yes, and the correctly-sized carbide bit is included in the box — 5/32 in for the 3/16 in screw. Using a bit that is even slightly off is the fastest way to a stripped hole.
- Why do Tapcons strip and spin?
- Almost always hole geometry. Depth and diameter must be exact, and the dust has to be cleared from the hole before driving. Both are easy to skip and both cause the same loose result.
- Are Tapcons strong enough for structural anchoring?
- No. About 650 lb ultimate tension in 4,000 psi concrete sounds like a lot but must be derated heavily, and they are not for structural or vibrating loads. Their advantage is being removable and repositionable, which expansion anchors are not.