how to...

how to...
Table 1: Choosing the right xing Wall type Any Fixing type Picture hooks Ideal for Fixing light to medium weight pictures to most wall surfaces. Solid wall

x items securely to a wall

x items to a wall
A brief guide. Skill rating: basic
This guide shows you how to x an item securely to a wall. There are two different types of walls, hollow and solid. This leaet shows you how to x an item to both types of wall. This is a fairly straight forward DIY job. The length of time it will take will depend on the scale of the project you are undertaking.

Solid

Wallplugs

Most types of solid wall, including concrete, brick, stone and lightweight block. Brick, concrete, plasterboard and lightweight block.

V (g. 1) Mark the length of the plug on the drill bit with tape. Drill hole to depth marked on drill bit.

V (g. 2) Drill so plug is ush to the wall.

Solid

Universal wallplugs

Hollow wall

Solid brick

Hammer xings

Fixing battens and conduits to concrete, brick and stone. Use a hammer to drive the fixing into a drilled hole. Most wall types. Lightly tap to insert into a drilled hole and tighten with a screwdriver. Fixing items to cavity walls. Please note the toggle is lost when the screw is removed. Heavier fixings to hollow walls. We recommend using these in conjunction with a hollow fixing setting tool. Heavier fixings. Concrete, brick and stone. Fixing ideal for bolting items that stand proud of a wall. Plasterboard. These plugs come in light or heavy duty according to your needs. Fixing items in plasterboard. Available in metal or plastic for lightweight fixings.
V (g. 3) Line up the holes in your item with the wall plugs, insert the screws and tighten. Take care not to overtighten. V (g. 4) Drill hole into wall, ideally into studwork behind wall.

be aware
Before you drill into a wall check there arent any pipes or cables inside it, to do this use a pipe or cable checker. Mark the position of any you find to make sure you remember where they are.

Solid

Nylon xings

Cavity

Spring toggle xings

1: Identifying what type of xing you need

The materials required to fix an item securely to a wall vary according to the type of wall. For instance, the type of wall plugs and fixings required for a hollow plasterboard wall are different to that of a concrete or brick wall. Table 1 shows you a wide range of different fixings to help you determine the fixing that is right for you.

Hollow (heavier xings) Solid (heavier xings)

Anchor xings

Projecting xings

V (g. 5) Line item up with holes and use appropriate xing type.

V (g. 6) Attach a piece of timber to the outside of the wall, ideally screwing directly into the timber studwork.

Hollow Plasterboard plug plasterboard

Plasterboard Self drilling plug

DIY

V (g. 7) For a cleaner nish, embed the timber V (g. 8) Securely attach timber to studwork inside the wall. Draw around the timber, drill and plaster for a cleaner nish. holes at each corner and cut out plasterboard.

how to...

x items securely to a wall

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Tools for the job...

2: Tips for xing an item to a solid wall

V Plastic wall plugs

V Electric drill

V Drill bits

V Hammer

V Screws

V Padsaw

A solid wall is generally made of brick, block or concrete. Choose the fixings carefully according to the type of wall and weight of your item. As a rule of thumb, to work out the length of screw, youll need to add the thickness of your plaster to the depth of the item you are fixing to the wall, then add a further 30mm. Mark the length of the plug on the drill using some tape. Make a mark on the wall where you need to drill. Hold the drill bit against the mark and begin drilling slowly, if you drill too fast it may slip (g 1). You need to drill deep enough so that your plug fits flush against the wall (g 2). You may need to give it a gentle tap with a hammer to push it in further. Hold the item you are attaching to the wall against the hole. Put the screw through the hole in the item you are fixing to the wall and into the plug (g 3). Take care not to over tighten it.

Drill a hole into the wall and then hold the item you are attaching to the wall over the hole (if there is a pre-drilled hole in the item, line the two holes up, if there isnt you will need to drill one of the same size) (g 5). You may need someone to hold the item steady for you. Tighten the screw or bolt until the item is held firmly against the wall. Take care not to over tighten it.

helpful hint...
Use a nail punch to tap a small dent into the wall before starting to drill. This will give you a groove to place your drill bit in, giving you more control.

4: Extra support for heavy xtures on a hollow wall

If it is not possible to line up the timber studwork with your fixings you can use an extra piece of timber. This process is quite common when attaching wide screen TVs to the wall. You will need to ensure that the timber is strong enough to support the weight of the item you are fixing to the wall. Cut the wood to the size you need and attach to the surface of the wall with screws. You need to make sure that the piece of wood is attached to the studwork at each end (g 6). If you want a cleaner finish you can embed the wood into the wall, either flush to the wall, or you may want to sit the timber further back so you have room to plaster over it. If you decide to insert the timber into the wall, place the timber on the wall and mark around it (g 7). Drill a hole at each corner point, then use a padsaw to cut out the shape you have made. Hold the timber over the studwork you are bridging. Drill holes into the timber to the correct size of your screws. Fix the timber to the studwork (g 8). You can now fix your item to the timber confident it can support the extra weight.

V Chisel

V Timber

helpful hint...
If you tap the wall, youll be able to tell if its hollow or solid.

V Wire, pipe and stud detector

V Goggles

3: Tips for xing an item to a hollow wall

V Spring toggles V Screwdriver

V Tape

A hollow wall is generally made of timber studwork or a dry partition wall covered with plasterboard. Ideally you want to screw directly into the timber studwork (g 4). To find the studwork use a stud detector. If you cant screw directly into studwork, you can use any number of hollow wall fixings, according to the nature and weight of your item. e.g. a spring toggle, plasterboard plug, anchor fixings or a self drilling plasterboard plug. Read the manufacturers guidelines for the size of hole you need to drill and the maximum load it can take.

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HBHOWDO39 October 2010