When hanging an item in your home, you should ensure that it is hung properly. If you fail to do this, you might lose it as it could fall to the ground in a short while. While losing your item after it falls to the ground is bad. That is not all that can go wrong. When a heavy item falls to the ground, it could injure members of your family or damage the floor in your home.
All things being equal, when hanging a heavy object, you should use a stud to keep it in place. Although studs are effective, locating them might not be so easy. Furthermore, there are certain wall types that make it impossible to make use of studs when hanging heavy objects. Going by this, to keep heavy items in place after hanging them, there are things you should know.
This article contains tips on mounting heavy items on walls so they do not fall.
What is Your Wall Type and What Technique is Ideal?
If you must hang heavy items on your wall the right way, the first thing you should do is find out what your wall type is. When hanging light items, you can get away with picking just any nail and pushing it into the wall with a hammer. However, this method will not work when you are trying to hang an item with some weight.
Walls are made of different materials. The type of material your wall is made of is usually dependent on your home’s locality, as well as its age. Some of the most commonly used wall materials are masonry, plaster, and drywall.
By knowing the weight of the object, you are about to hang and the type of wall in your home, mounting heavy items on your walls in a way that they don’t fall will become a lot easier.
Hanging Heavy Objects on Dry Wall
Drywalls are perhaps the most common types of wall you will find around. Due to this, if you must successfully hang heavy materials on your wall every time, you must learn how to do so on drywalls. Drywalls have durable surfaces. Nonetheless, they do not provide a lot of stability as they are not really thick. Due to this lack of stability, they might not hold objects properly.
When hanging an object that weighs between 10 to 25 pounds on your drywall, you will need to make use of a threaded drywall anchor. You do not need any power tool to make this happen as everything can be done by simply using a screwdriver. In addition to using a screwdriver, you could decide to use a hammer to keep things in place.
Hanging objects that weigh between 25 and 50 pounds on drywall is a little different. This should be done with the use of molly bolts as reported by Top Wall Mounted. When using a non-pointed molly bolt, you should make use of a drilled installation hole. Furthermore, pointed versions can be kept in place by using a hammer.
Hanging Objects on Plaster
Plasters are hollow. Due to this, when hanging a heavy object on a plaster, you will need heavy-duty fasteners. Furthermore, the likelihood of plaster getting damaged is higher than that of drywall getting damaged. This is one reason you should always make use of any available supporting studs.
To make use of a supporting stud when hanging heavy objects on drywalls, you can locate a stud by using a magnetic stud finder.
When hanging objects that weigh between 10 and 25 pounds on a plaster, you will need to make use of plastic toggle bolts. To get started with this, you should drill a hole they can accommodate a plastic toggle bolt. Once you are done with this, the item to be hung on the wall is positioned on the bolt. This is followed by inserting the toggle.
You will be able to hang objects that weigh over 20 pounds on a plaster wall by using a non-pointed molly bolt. In the absence of studs on a plaster, you will need drilled installation holes to get the best out of making use of non-pointed molly holes in hanging heavy items on your plaster wall.
Hanging Objects on Hollow-Core
The many methods of hanging heavy objects might not work so well for hollow-core. To get things done perfectly, you will need to make use of miniature molly bolts.
When hanging items that are less than 10 pounds, feel free to make use of tap-in plastic. You, however, will need to make use of non-pointed miniature molly bolts and drills when hanging objects that weigh between 25 to 50 pounds.
Hanging Objects on Masonry
When hanging heavy items on masonry, you will need a bit of experience and will also have to make use of the right technique. You can hang items that weigh about 10 pounds with the use of a plastic wall plug. To get this done, you need a strong drill, as well as masonry drill bits. When you are done drilling, fix the plastic wall plug. This should be followed by the metal screw. As the screw gets tight, there will be an expansion of the plug.
You will need to make use of a lead wall plug when installing objects that weigh more than 25 pounds on your masonry. Lead wall plugs are quite like plastic wall plugs. They, however, are stronger.
How to Install in Masonry Anchors
When installing masonry anchors on the wall, you have to ensure that it’s strong enough to carry the weight of objects you want to hang. Here’s how to install objects in masonry anchors:
- Choose masonry anchors that can hang objects more than 25 pounds or 11 kilograms in weight. Masonry anchors are generally made of plastic and come with screws that can be inserted into them. You’ll need to prepare a drill and masonry of the same size as your anchors. Buy masonry kits with screws, anchors, and the right size masonry bit.
- For the best outcomes, use a hammer drill. A standard electric drill also works with a masonry bit, and there’s a chance you’ll create a hole larger than you desire. Renting or borrowing a hammer drill is a good idea, but buying a hammer drill and the best drill press will make your DIY home remodeling a lot easier.
- Drill a hole for accommodating the anchor. Measure and mark the anchor spot and place the bit on your desired spot. The drill shaft, the bit, and your arm should be parallel to the floor; your grasp should be firm. Maintain your position while drilling and pressing firmly into the wall. When you need to drill into cement walls, use a slower speed for the best results.
Next, tap the anchor until it’s flush into the wall. Make sure that the fit is snug but not too tight so you won’t need to hammer too hard. Re-drill the small hole by using a larger bit. - Place the screw into your anchor. Using a screwdriver or a screw bit on the drill, tighten the screw down. Before the screw is flushed, stop for a moment to have a space to accommodate the hanging hardware or wire. Hang the object and adjust it until it’s straight.
Don’t Hesitate to Get Help from a Professional If Need Be
Hanging heavy items on various types of walls is not difficult. It is something that the average person can do if they set their mind to do it. Although it is okay to attempt hanging objects around your house, you might need to pay for the services of a professional if you come across objects that you consider too heavy. Doing this will help you avoid making unnecessary mistakes. This way, you can avoid getting the item to be hung damaged, as well as avoid getting yourself injured.
If you have never needed the service of a professional when hanging heavy objects on the wall, all you need to do is talk to people around and you will be able to contact one.
