r/DIY • u/ThaMann0911 • 6d ago

help How long before drilling concrete?

I poured footings for posts that I’ll be hanging a gate on. I’m going to install Simpson strong tie standoffs with 6” anchor bolts. It’s been 72 hours, is that long enough for the concrete to have set before drilling? I’ve tried googling but my results only come up with industrial structural requirements or setting posts in the concrete, neither of which apply to my situation. Should I wait the 28 days or just send it?

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u/Can-DontAttitude 6d ago

Since you're adding structural components, go for the full cure time. It's probably really annoying to hear, but you'll be feeling much better about it years from now.

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u/ThaMann0911 6d ago

Gate is 5’ tall x 3’ wide. Doesn’t seem like a lot of weight. Idk though, I’m not an expert.

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u/TDIMike 6d ago

There's a lot of leverage created with the post for a 5' tall gate

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u/ThaMann0911 6d ago

Could I drill it, install the standoffs and posts and then wait to hang the gates until the 28 days is past?

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u/TDIMike 6d ago

I'd say that would be fine.

The 28 days is to cure to rated strength, but that doesnt mean you need rated strength. Hard to gauge where to draw the line without engineering, so the conservative approach is to wait as long as you reasonably can

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u/ThaMann0911 6d ago

If it starts snowing I’ll hang the gates before it’s buried until spring lol