Questions tagged [anchor]
The anchor tag has no usage guidance.
220
questions
40
votes
10
answers
285k
views
How to avoid wires when drilling into the wall?
I have to anchor a bookcase to a wall to prevent it from tipping over.
When drilling into the wall, how do I make sure I can avoid drilling into the wires behind the wall?
I have bought a Stud ...
- 503
32
votes
8
answers
54k
views
When pouring concrete, is it safe to add large rocks to increase volume?
Backround
I'm going to pour some concrete to anchor a swing set. The base of the swing set that is being anchored is two 4x4s with a 2x4 footer crossed perpendicularly to the 4x4s.
I have a bunch of ...
- 673
23
votes
6
answers
20k
views
Is it OK that the frame of my house doesn't line up with the slab?
My new house is being framed. I saw that the frame extends 1-2" from the foundation:
Click photograph for full size
The builder told me it happens often and the city inspector will catch it if this ...
- 231
23
votes
4
answers
27k
views
What are the different types of drywall anchors, and what are the advantages of each?
I recently put up wire shelving in my pantry, and spent forever figuring out what type of drywall anchor I should use. I even found several types that I didn't even know existed. It might be good to ...
22
votes
5
answers
221k
views
How much weight can I hang from a drywall ceiling?
I have a potted plant (approx 5kg/10lbs) that I wish to hang from a drywall ceiling of a window aisle.
Unfortunately, I have no idea about what specific kind of drywall plate it is or how it was ...
- 612
19
votes
4
answers
21k
views
Does XPS+OSB subfloor need to be anchored?
Mike Holmes is a big fan of OSB/plywood over 1" XPS for basement floors, though his book leaves something to be desired in terms of details. His book says:
...on top of the foam, you want to have 5/...
- 2,505
12
votes
9
answers
10k
views
What type of screws/anchors to fasten a closer to a steel door
What are some proper screws or anchors to use for affixing something to a steel walk-in door?
The example for this question will be attaching an automatic closer to an exterior steel door. The door is ...
- 460
10
votes
11
answers
54k
views
Why can't I drive this Tapcon into concrete?
I'm trying to drive a 2 1/2" long 3/16" diameter Tapcon into a 50 year-old concrete slab/subfloor to attach a new toilet flange.
The instructions on the case of Tapcons said to drill a hole ...
- 12.6k
9
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Securing a large screw hook in drywall without an anchor
I have a large-ish screw hook in some drywall that is only supporting a dustpan and hand brush. The hook is not in a stud. As-is, the weight is not too much and the solution works. However, I am ...
- 209
9
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Drilling holes in concrete
I'm not what you'd call a handy guy, and now wife wants me to put up curtains. This task is reduced primarily to getting a bit of metal stuck to the ceiling.
I bought screws and anchors. The anchors ...
- 193
6
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Help identifying pieces in ambiguous wall anchor kit
I’m a newbie at installing things into the studs / drywall, and I need some help identifying how to use what is included in this wall rack mount kit.
Three yellow pieces (anchors?)
Three long screws
...
- 371
6
votes
5
answers
38k
views
What's the best way to remove a wall plug?
I use wall plugs a lot for putting screws into brick walls.
It's easy to get the screw out when you want to remove them and usually you can loosen the screw a bit and pull and then both the wall plug ...
- 397
6
votes
3
answers
31k
views
I drilled holes in my brick too big for my anchors. How can I fix this?
I am mounting some bike racks to a brick wall (basically, a special hook that you hang your bike on). The holes in the metal bike racks are big enough for #8 screws. I purchased some lead plugs ...
- 61
6
votes
1
answer
20k
views
What size drill bit do I need for a 3/16" plastic anchor in tile?
And yes, the obvious answer is 3/16" ... that doesn't work.
I'm installing a towel rod and hook in a bathroom that is fully tiled. The instructions with the rod & hook both said to drill a 3/16" ...
- 163
6
votes
1
answer
15k
views
Will wall anchors work when screwed into a stud?
I'm installing some Lack floating shelves from IKEA. I have two holes into the drywall with anchors (the metal kind with large threads), and one hole into the stud.
The problem is, I got confused and ...
- 163
5
votes
6
answers
44k
views
Framing a wall over a carpeted floor
I have a carpeted basement. There is both pad and carpet over concrete. There is a section I want to wall off and turn into a bedroom, it will not be load bearing.
I would prefer not to have to ...
- 1,056
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can I drill through chemical anchor resin?
In order to hang a TV wall mount* onto a hollow clay bricks wall, I decided to use chemical anchors to ensure the mount will endure with the TV weight.
(* originally came with 3 50mm Fischer wall ...
- 153
5
votes
2
answers
70k
views
Are mounting anchors necessary for plaster walls?
I have a bathroom utility organizer I need to hang on a plaster wall. The organizer is lightweight aluminum, weighs about 5 pounds, and will be holding fairly light items such as toothbrush holders ...
- 245
5
votes
2
answers
8k
views
When would I use epoxy anchors?
Epoxy anchor is essentially a metal alloy rod set onto epoxy. A hole is drilled and cleaned, then epoxy is put into the hole and the rod is inserted into the hole and left until epoxy sets.
Using ...
- 9,677
5
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Is there an adhesive I can use with anchors to keep them from pulling out?
I am mounting shelves using plastic anchors in masonry. I once saw a contractor use an adhesive on the anchors to prevent them from pulling out. I realize that by design this should not be necessary. ...
- 51
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Should anchors be used with screws going into framing?
I have just installed a bathroom vanity that came with screws and anchors. However, I just screwed the screws directly into the drywall, which has 2x4 framing positioned exactly where the screws go. ...
- 7,544
5
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How can I attach pony wall to surface of platform and will it be strong enough against lateral forces?
I have a loft area to which I want to add a pony wall for safety. My plan is to drywall its inside and outside faces, all the way down across the beam. Can I built it on the surface of the platform ...
- 551
4
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How should I install a hoist given that the walls and ceiling are made of concrete?
I have this hoist, of the engine-lifting variety, which is designed to be installed below a pipe or beam. I do not have any load bearing pipes or beams. What I have are a poured concrete ceiling (9" ...
- 732
4
votes
6
answers
3k
views
How do I remove this wall anchor stuck in concrete wall?
Bought a TV recently. Tried to mount it onto our concrete block wall.
Drilled. Hammered the M8 wall anchor bolt (with the nut on) too hard and it morphed the bolt.
Struggled to unscrew the nut, ended ...
- 41
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Concrete floor "too thin" for bolt and sleeve anchor
In our 100-year-old co-op building in NYC, I'm replacing a failed door stop with a heavier one to prevent our (very) hefty entrance door from smashing the doorway's marble.
The door stop is intended ...
- 141
4
votes
2
answers
7k
views
How can I secure a wall-mount server rack?
I would like to install a 2-Post 12U wall-mounted server rack in my utility closet. The rack will hold up to 200lbs. However, my equipment will be just under 180lbs. Most of the weight will be at the ...
- 227
4
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Is it OK to install a TV mount when it can't be attached to a stud at all mount points?
I have a TV wall panel that can only reach two studs. I was wondering if it's fine to screw the left side and the center on studs, and have the right side anchored in the drywall.
My TV is 30lbs with ...
- 141
4
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Replacing the railing on an old rock retaining wall
This house was built in the mid 1950s. I assume the rock wall was built at the same time. It has an old railing that is not attached anymore and needs to be replaced. My current plan is to cut off the ...
- 91
3
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Securing Cabinet to wall: better to use two anchors to drywall or one screw into stud?
I am aiming to babyproof this unit to the wall. It is three separate, vertical pieces. For the rightmost and leftmost piece, for where they are, there is one stud behind each of them.
I can secure ...
- 91
3
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How to replace a wooden anchor in a decades-old concrete lintel
This is just below the flooring surface in a kitchen and inches from the back door out onto the garden. Camera is looking down - it's an inch and a half long. The 1971 concrete lintel has five of ...
- 305
3
votes
4
answers
40k
views
Is it possible to anchor a cabinet to a wall without damaging it?
I have purchased an approx 2m high by 35cm deep dispay cabinet seated on a carpet floor. This is not fully stable (the cabinet rocks a bit when you exert force on the doors to open them), and it was ...
- 131
3
votes
5
answers
14k
views
What's the strongest anchor for something heavy in double drywall?
I have a party-wall in my apartment-née-condo that seems to have two sheets of drywall installed against eachother. All attempts to find some sort of stud or resilient channel / furring strip have ...
- 195
3
votes
2
answers
933
views
Easiest way to remove 3/16" drive rivets from a lower screen door hinge?
What's the easiest way to remove the rivets from my lower hinge without damaging the screen door jamb.
A video of the lower hinge with rivets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqJT5Y5BNms&t=206s
- 1,209
3
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Can I hang a key hanger without attaching it to a stud?
I am trying to mount a key hanger on a wall, I drilled two holes in the dry wall, they went right through with little or no resistance, I'm guessing because there was no stud behind the wall. I stuck ...
- 33
3
votes
1
answer
903
views
What type of a wall mount is needed for an old TV?
I have an old Onida TV that doesn't have the standard 4-hole VESA mount.
It only has these two hinges slots of some sort.
What kind of wall mount would hold it in place on a concrete wall? (It would ...
- 155
3
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Is it okay for one curtain hanging bracket to be screwed into drywall with no anchors?
I'm trying to hang curtains from near the ceiling. I have 5 brackets. 4 of them have successfully been screwed into wood, at least with the top screw (the bottom screw was as a wall anchor into ...
- 131
3
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How deep to place a deadman anchor for a slackline?
I want to place a permanent anchor for a slackline in my parents' backyard. I looked around at the different options, but I don't have access to some of them (e.g. no duckbill anchors), so I think I ...
- 505
3
votes
5
answers
36k
views
Re-anchoring in existing (failed) anchor holes in brick
I've had a shelf come free from the wall on which it was anchored. The shelf is fairly deep (~2') and solid wood, so it's heavy, and it's meant to take some weight (think like a breakfast bar).
The ...
- 227
3
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Preventing swing set legs from sinking
I'm putting together a swing set in my backyard mostly following this Youtube video. I'd like to make sure that the legs of the A-frames don't sink into the ground over time when it rains, etc. What ...
3
votes
1
answer
7k
views
How to anchor zipline to house
I want to add a zipline to my backyard. I'd like to anchor one end to the house itself. The other end will probably anchor to a tree in the back end of the yard. There is a lot of information for how ...
- 133
3
votes
2
answers
11k
views
How should I anchor a hand railing to sandstone steps?
I've got three exterior steps made of natural sandstone. They are 6 ft wide, and 10" thick. I need to anchor a metal handrailing to them. The railing has two feet: 1/4" metal plates with 3/8" holes ...
- 33
3
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How to remove a brass concrete anchor?
I have brass anchors like below in the concrete deck around my pool.
Today, when I was raising the inner screw to install the cover, the screw was being very difficult. Trying to raise it, the inner ...
- 421
3
votes
1
answer
11k
views
What type of screws and anchors are used for concrete?
I have cinder block walls along one side of the garage and hang a lot of 'tool storage' hangers and such. Often what I buy comes with screws and anchors so I use that but I have some hangers I just ...
- 399
3
votes
1
answer
837
views
Anchoring toilet flange into hollow space in floor?
I'm replacing a toilet and am using a Hydroseat rather than replacing the damaged flange. The problem that I've run into is one of the spots to anchor the Hydroseat down seems to be hollow below the ...
- 291
3
votes
2
answers
7k
views
How to fix over-tightened metal drywall anchor?
I was installing a metal drywall anchor for the first time, and accidentally over tightened it. Now it isn't tight on the wall, and is unusable. I can not remove the screw from the wall, and am ...
- 133
3
votes
1
answer
8k
views
How can I extend a deck post on an existing deck?
I have an existing deck (built in 1991) that I am making repairs to. As part of the work I want to extend the deck cover that's already there.
Existing deck
Desired outcome
So I know I need to ...
- 131
3
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Attachment sites for sun sail on house
I am looking to install an 18’ by 18’ shade sail. 2 corners I am planning on putting in 6 x 6 posts cemented into the ground. I’m having trouble with the other 2 corners that need to be safely ...
3
votes
1
answer
20k
views
How wide does a 6x6 concrete post footing needs to be?
Need to attach 6x6x8 posts for a free-standing pergola - I'll use Strong-Tie anchors attached to the concrete footing.
The hole for the footing will reach well below the freezing line, but how wide ...
- 143
2
votes
3
answers
5k
views
How can I remove this concrete wall anchor?
The anchor pictured was holding a hose reel, which has been removed. When I twist the part sticking out it just spins infinitely in either direction. I think it is something like a toggle or a molly ...
- 277
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to keep plastic concrete screw anchors from spinning?
I keep on getting these concrete anchoring kits in floor safes that consist of a 1/2" plastic insert and lag screw. (see photo)
The instructions say to drill a 1/2" hole in the concrete, tap ...
- 2,657