How To Anchor a Carport to Any Foundation Type

The last thing you want to see is your carport tumbling around whenever the wind blows. Securing your carport can help make sure the structure stays put even during strong storms. The methods for anchoring a carport take a little effort.

In other words, you can’t tie a supporting leg to a nearby structure and hope your carport doesn’t disappear in a storm. You need to anchor your carport to the foundation, whether it’s gravel, dirt, asphalt, or concrete.

Steps for Anchoring Carports

Before you can secure your carport, you need the right type of anchor, which depends on the type of foundation.

• Rebar bolts are best suited for asphalt
• Mobile home anchors work best on gravel and dirt foundations
• A concrete bolt is ideal for securing carports to poured concrete foundations

Once you have the right anchors, it’s time to anchor your carport. The steps that you take here can vary a little depending on the foundation type.

Anchoring a Carport to Asphalt

You’re going to need a few materials other than the rebar anchors, including:

• A ratchet
• Wrench
• Sledgehammer
• Safety is also important so grab some work gloves and protective eyewear.
• Slide your rebar anchors through the base rail. You’ll notice some holes on the rail, this is where you insert the anchors with the hooked end pointing downwards. The hooked end goes into the asphalt so you don’t want it pointing up.
• Grab your sledgehammer and pound the rebar anchors into the foundation

Make sure the hooked tip of the anchor is firmly in the ground before moving on to the next one. If you’re trying to anchor a larger carport, it may be best to call the professionals. Larger carports require more than one anchor at each corner and driving rebar into asphalt can be challenging.

Anchoring a Carport to Gravel or Dirt

Mobile home anchors are typically your best option when you’re securing a carport to a loose foundation like gravel or dirt.

Grab your safety glass, you don’t want dirt or dust getting in your eyes, or pieces of gravel. Work gloves are also recommended. You’re going to be using a pry bar and it can leave painful blisters on your hands.

Look for the anchor holes on the base rails, which is where you insert the anchors with the hooked end pointing towards the ground. Grab your pry bar and slip the top of the anchor point into the notch. From there, use the pry bar to drill the anchors into the ground.

You do this by giving the anchor a half twist with the pry bar. In a sense, you’re using the pry bar as a wrench. Keep turning the anchor with the pry bar until it’s securely in the ground.

Anchoring a Carport to Concrete

Concrete foundations and carports go get together. The carport provides protection and the concrete provides a sturdy and level foundation. The only potential downside is when you’re getting ready to drive carport anchors into the concrete. The material is known for its strength and durability.

Don’t worry, you’re not going to need a jackhammer or even a sledgehammer. Anchoring a carport to a concrete foundation is easier than you may think. Along with your safety tools like gloves and eyewear, you’re going to need a hammer, drill, and either a wrench or ratchet.

• Before you can start securing the carport, you need to locate the anchor points in the base rails. Just look for the pre-drilled holes.
• Slide the concrete anchors through the holes on the base rails with the pointy end facing down.
• Mark the concrete where the anchor point touches. This is where you’re going to drill your holes. Grab your drill and start drilling holes in the marked locations on the concrete. How deep you drill depends on the concrete anchor’s size. The anchor’s size should meet the recommended specifications for your carport.
• Clear away any dust and debris from the anchor holes, as this helps ensure the anchors fit snugly inside the holes.
• Slide the anchor into the hole and use a hammer to pound it into place. To ensure the anchor is tight, give it a couple of twists with a wrench or ratchet.

After completing this step for all of the anchors, your carport should be securely attached to the foundation.

Let the Professionals Anchor Your Carport

Anchoring a carport can be a tedious and labor-intensive task for you to undertake. While the steps are straightforward, drilling into any type of foundation requires time and effort.

In some cases, it’s best to leave the anchoring to the professionals—this way, you can be confident that your carport will remain secure, even during gusty windstorms.