How to Anchor Wheel Stops in Concrete the Right Way
Anchoring wheel stops to concrete uses one of two methods: 5/8-inch galvanized steel pins driven into 24-inch-deep holes drilled with a rotary hammer, or threaded anchors set in two-part epoxy. The right choice depends on the concrete's age, PSI rating, and whether the install is permanent or expected to be relocated. ASTM E488 covers anchor pull-out testing standards. Both methods, done correctly, deliver pull-out resistance over 4,000 pounds per anchor, well above ADA 502.7's effective load demand.
This guide is the field procedure Cojo's striping crew uses on every concrete wheel-stop install. For asphalt installs, see our companion how to anchor wheel stops asphalt guide. For the hardware spec breakdown, see our wheel stop anchor hardware guide.
What Tools Do You Need?
| Tool | Spec | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rotary hammer | SDS-Plus or SDS-Max, 1-1/8 inch capacity | Hilti TE-30 or DeWalt D25733K class |
| Masonry bit | 5/8-inch carbide, 12-inch usable depth | New bits cut faster and last 30 to 40 holes |
| Steel pins | 5/8 x 18-inch galvanized | Pre-cut, with chamfered ends |
| Sledge hammer | 4 lb cross-pein | For driving pins |
| Two-part epoxy | Hilti HIT-RE 500 V3 or Simpson SET-XP | If using epoxy anchors |
| Compressed air or wire brush | Per ICRI 310.2R | Hole cleaning is the most-skipped step |
| Chalk line + tape measure | Standard | Setback layout |
| Hearing + eye + dust PPE | OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1053 | Concrete drilling is a silica-exposure hazard |
How Long Does It Take?
A 2-person crew with a rotary hammer drills, pins, and verifies a 6-foot wheel stop in 8 to 12 minutes on virgin concrete and 15 to 20 minutes on aged or steel-reinforced concrete where rebar deflection requires hole relocation. For our wheel stop guide breakdown of unit costs, the install labor runs $35 to $90 per stop in the Pacific Northwest.
Step 1: Verify Concrete Strength and Age
Concrete must be at least 28 days old and rated 2,500 PSI or greater per ACI 318 before anchor pins are installed. A rebound hammer test (ASTM C805) takes 60 seconds and confirms PSI on suspect slabs. Newer concrete will spall around the pin and the wheel stop will rock free within 6 to 12 months.
Step 2: Lay Out the Setback
Snap a chalk line parallel to the curb face at the spec'd setback (30 inches for passenger stalls, 34 inches for SUV stalls, 38 inches for pickup stalls). Mark each stall centerline on the chalk line. The wheel stop's front face will sit on the chalk line and centered on the stall mark.
Step 3: Position the Wheel Stop
Set the wheel stop on the chalk line. Verify it does not encroach on any ADA access aisle (ADA 502.7 prohibits obstructions in the 60-inch access aisle). Confirm the stop is square to the stall lines using a framing square.
Step 4: Mark and Drill the Holes
Wheel stops have 2 or 3 pre-cast holes. Mark each hole location through the wheel stop onto the concrete with a paint pen. Lift the stop. Drill each hole 18 inches deep using the 5/8-inch carbide bit.
Watch for rebar. Concrete slabs poured on grade often have #4 rebar at 12 to 18 inches on center. If the bit hits steel and you cannot drill through, relocate the hole 2 inches in either direction along the wheel-stop axis.
Step 5: Clean the Holes
This is the step that gets skipped on rushed jobs and the reason failed installs come loose. Per ICRI 310.2R, holes for either pinned or epoxied anchors must be cleaned of all dust, debris, and water before pin or epoxy is set. The procedure:
- Blow the hole with compressed air for 5 seconds.
- Pass a stiff wire brush through the hole 3 times.
- Blow again for 3 seconds.
Skipping this step reduces pull-out resistance by 30 to 60 percent depending on dust load.
Step 6: Install the Anchors
Method A: Driven Pins (Most Common)
Reposition the wheel stop. Insert a 5/8 x 18-inch galvanized pin through the wheel-stop hole into the concrete hole. Drive the pin with the 4-pound sledge until the pin head is flush with the wheel-stop top surface. The pin should bottom out with 8 to 10 hammer strikes if the hole was drilled to depth.
Method B: Epoxy Anchors
Inject two-part epoxy into the cleaned hole using the manufacturer's mixing nozzle, filling the hole to 2/3 depth. Insert a 5/8-inch threaded rod with twisting motion to ensure full epoxy contact. Tighten a heavy-hex nut and washer over the wheel stop. Cure 24 hours per manufacturer spec before opening to traffic.
Step 7: Verify and Mark
Push the wheel stop laterally with a 4-foot pry bar. There should be zero movement. Stripe the stop in OSHA safety yellow if it falls in a fire lane or pedestrian path. Cojo includes painted reflective bands on every wheel stop in our standard spec.
Industry Baseline Range
| Component | Industry Baseline Range |
|---|---|
| Pinned install (per stop) | $45 to $90 |
| Epoxy install (per stop) | $65 to $130 |
| 5/8 x 18-inch galvanized pin | $4 to $9 each |
| Two-part epoxy cartridge (10 oz) | $14 to $30 |
| Rotary-hammer rental (day) | $60 to $120 |
Current Market Reality
Galvanized pin prices rose 12 to 18 percent in 2025 with steel-coil cost increases. Two-part epoxy from Hilti and Simpson moved with petroleum-based binder costs, up 8 to 14 percent on Oregon distribution. Add 5 to 10 percent for prevailing-wage Oregon projects.
What Are the Most Common Anchor Failures?
The Cojo crew has been called to repair these failures on properties across the Portland metro and Willamette Valley:
- Holes drilled too shallow. A 12-inch hole leaves only 6 inches of pin engagement after wheel-stop thickness. Wheel stop walks within months.
- Skipped hole cleaning. Loose dust acts as a lubricant; pull-out resistance drops to 40 to 60 percent of spec.
- Wrong pin diameter. 1/2-inch pins in 5/8-inch holes leave 1/8-inch annular gap; pin rocks under load and elongates the hole.
- Drilling too close to slab edge. ACI 318 requires minimum 4 inches edge distance. Closer than that risks blowout cones.
Get a Compliant Concrete Wheel-Stop Install
Anchoring wheel stops in concrete is straightforward when each step is done correctly: verify the slab, drill to depth, clean the holes, drive the pins. Cojo's striping crew installs wheel stops to ADA 502.7 and ACI 318 across Oregon. Contact Cojo for a wheel-stop install quote, or learn about our broader concrete services.