26 votes
Accepted

How should I support this large drywall patch?

It's a matter of preference, but I would float scrap lumber backing at four locations: Down both sides Across the bottom between the two studs Across the between the two studs just below the plumbing ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 126k
21 votes

Why are all towel bars 24 inch? With studs being 16 inches apart - how do people mount them?

Drywall Anchors I have had 100% success with drywall anchors but I am very careful about all aspects of the mounting hardware. You have to design and execute your plan carefully to have success, ...
alx9r's user avatar
  • 1,326
20 votes
Accepted

Securing a large screw hook in drywall without an anchor

Cut a 1"x 4" board just long enough to fit between the wall on the right and garage door on the left. Attach each end with 2 1/2" screws into the studs of said wall and door frame. Screw hook, ( ...
Alaska Man's user avatar
  • 13.4k
20 votes

One out of four holes in this bracket miss the stud - what would you do?

Two screws (of adequate length) are plenty here. You won't pull them out with a dozen cast iron pans. Use the largest screws that comfortably fit the holes and penetrate framing lumber about 1-1/4&...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 126k
19 votes
Accepted

Drywall anchor won't hold

What you are using are the most basic drywall anchors available. They're inexpensive and included in many products because of that, but they aren't good for much, and wouldn't be up to the task of ...
JPhi1618's user avatar
  • 27.6k
18 votes

Drywall anchor won't hold

Most things that get regularly manipulated should not be hung with hollow-wall anchors. Eventually they pull out or the wallboard disintegrates. I'd install either some 1x4 wooden rails spanning ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 126k
11 votes

Hanging over both screws into drywall vs one into stud and another into drywall

Given this situation, one screw into a stud and one into a good anchor. If the mirror is wider than 16 inches, consider putting a piece of wood across two studs and two screws into the wood.
manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact's user avatar
11 votes

One out of four holes in this bracket miss the stud - what would you do?

Centre the top and bottom holes to the stud and use drywall anchors for the other two if needed. A stud is only an inch and a half wide, A screw right at the edge of a stud not much use. Could try to ...
crip659's user avatar
  • 21.9k
11 votes
Accepted

What type of anchor is this and how do I remove/replace/tighten it?

It's one o' these... image source To remove it... Grab the flange with a needle-nose pliers and bend it outward. Flex it in and out a few times and it'll pop off. Do the same for the other half if it ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 126k
10 votes

Checking curtain rod stability?

If you have pulled on them and demonstrated that they are sufficiently solid, it sounds like you have a relationship issue involving physics vs. "alternative facts". Personally, for anchoring in ...
fallacybuffet's user avatar
10 votes
Accepted

Can a chin-up bar be supported by just two of the four intended mounting points?

#1 relies on the unknown integrity of this device when supported by only the two lower screws. It may not be designed to do that. #2 doesn't offer anything at all. While hollow-wall anchors can carry ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 126k
9 votes
Accepted

Why are all towel bars 24 inch? With studs being 16 inches apart - how do people mount them?

You will find many many installations of towel bars that are simply the crappy drywall anchors on each end. These will work as long as the towel bar is treated with kid gloves. Anything more and ...
Michael Karas's user avatar
  • 64k
9 votes

Mounting a Gardena retractable garden hose(115ft) to inside garage

The recommended space is outside of the house because of possible leaks. To mount inside on a stud wall with drywall, would screw a piece of plywood or some type type of wood to two studs. Can mount ...
crip659's user avatar
  • 21.9k
8 votes
Accepted

Paulin 8-12x1-1/4-inch Yellow Plastic Anchors

(#8-12) Indicates that size 8 through size 12 screws can be used in the plugs. (1 1/4) is indeed the length of the plug. The packaging also recommends a 1/4" hole be used for the plug to be ...
RMDman's user avatar
  • 21.7k
8 votes

Why can't I get self drilling anchors into the wall

Assuming you do have plasterboard/drywall, I've found a couple of tricks to make these plastic anchors go in more easily. The first is to start with a metal one, then swap it to the plastic sort. ...
Chris H's user avatar
  • 5,423
7 votes

Screw is turning within wall plug and not tightening

You may have to pull out the anchor, fill the hole, redrill it and install a new anchor if the first one has become too misfigured. Be careful not to overtighten. You could also get some other kind ...
BrianK's user avatar
  • 5,375
7 votes

Anybody have experience in hanging a huge clock?

For large heavy objects that you want to span multiple studs, I like a french cleat. You can buy them out of metal from the store, or make your own by ripping a board at 45 degrees along it's length. ...
BMitch's user avatar
  • 42.6k
7 votes

How should I support this large drywall patch?

I don't ever attach drywall unless it has attached backing on each side. To float the backing and have it come out solid and flush and not cause drilling issues is both a thing that needs to be ...
DMoore's user avatar
  • 47.7k
7 votes
Accepted

Is it a bad idea to install a book shelf system on drywall?

When attaching anything other than lightweight items to the wall, you want to ensure that you have attached it to the underlying wall studs. In the case of shelves, except for perhaps very light ...
jwh20's user avatar
  • 23k
7 votes

Can a drywall ceiling toggle bolt hold up a 18.5lb chandelier?

The toggle bolt will probably hold up just fine with a 20 lb. weight, but I can't say the same for the drywall itself. Even if the drywall seems to hold for a while, do not trust it by hanging a 20 ...
spuck's user avatar
  • 1,253
6 votes

Why are all towel bars 24 inch? With studs being 16 inches apart - how do people mount them?

The simplest high-strength solution, if there isn't blocking behind the plaster to support it, is to mount the towel rack on an attractive piece of well-varnished wood (or a piece painted to match ...
keshlam's user avatar
  • 25.4k
6 votes
Accepted

How can I put a new screw where an EZ dry wall anchor holding up wide curtain rod was pulled out?

The easiest answer to this is a new, bigger drywall anchor - but these usually require new, bigger screws (thicker shaft, and likely a larger head). At some point, this approach becomes a bad idea, ...
Fredric Shope's user avatar
6 votes

Type of wall anchors needed for TV mount

Forget anchors. Use screws into studs. Same type of screws as for cabinets. Much stronger than anchors, toggle bolts, etc. If direct mount to studs is not an option, consider mounting plywood to studs ...
manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact's user avatar
6 votes
Accepted

Attach bath grab bar into tiles with cement board backer (without those special behind the wall anchors)

Nope. Not even with those special anchors. Any such bar should be able to support 200 lbs. While it might, for a while, it'll weaken over time and let go at a very inopportune moment. Such hardware ...
isherwood's user avatar
  • 126k
6 votes

Mounting table to the wall--HELP!

There is ONLY one way to safely do this: Screws into studs. I would not trust any kind of "anchors". The problem is that while the basic weight of the furniture itself might be just 44 lbs., ...
manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact's user avatar
5 votes

How Much Weight Can My 1/2" Drywall Ceiling Take?

You will NOT want to support your 78 1/2 inch rod from the drywall alone. Drywall fastened up to the ceiling is a pretty good challenge just holding up it's own weight then yet you trying to add 70 ...
Michael Karas's user avatar
  • 64k
5 votes

Drywall anchor won't hold

EZ anchors are good but toggle bolts are better.
Ben Welborn's user avatar
  • 6,212
5 votes
Accepted

Does drywall "wear out"?

No, drywall does not wear out. But holding excessive loads on anchors in drywall is a guarantee of failure. Drywall anchors do tolerably well in shear (loads downward, like hanging a picture) and ...
Ecnerwal's user avatar
  • 190k
5 votes

Drilled hole through wall stud

With no more specifics than that I would say you should have no concern that one 3/8 inch hole drilled through one stud could present any structural problem. There is so much redundancy in standard ...
Jim Stewart's user avatar
  • 20.8k
5 votes

Unsure how to use these dry wall anchors?

Throw them away. These are terrible anchors. There are better ones for every type of wall. I never use the hardware that comes with anything to attach to walls. Learn how the walls of your home ...
jay613's user avatar
  • 31.7k

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