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 ...
- 129k
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, ( ...
- 13.5k
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&...
- 129k
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 ...
- 27.7k
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 ...
- 129k
18
votes
Accepted
Can I screw only the bottom screw into a stud?
No.
First off, the top screws take up most of the load. The weight of the shelf + stuff will try to pull the top screws out of the wall, the bottom screws comparatively hold very little actual load.
...
- 2,289
13
votes
Can I screw only the bottom screw into a stud?
It sounds like you've found some horizontal blocking (nogging) typically designed to slow down the spread of fire.
At minimum attach the top of the bracket to the blocking since those will experience ...
- 16.5k
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.
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 ...
- 22.8k
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 ...
- 129k
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 ...
- 168
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 ...
- 129k
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 ...
- 22.8k
9
votes
Can I screw only the bottom screw into a stud?
The bottom screws are there more to keep things aligned. The top screws carry the load, where the weight on the shelf gets amplified because of the short distance from the top screw down to the very ...
- 5,284
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 ...
- 25.1k
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. ...
- 6,013
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 ...
- 5,395
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.
...
- 42.7k
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 ...
- 47.8k
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 ...
- 23.1k
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 ...
- 1,261
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, ...
- 4,389
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 ...
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 ...
- 129k
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., ...
5
votes
5
votes
Hanging Shelf With 79lb Drywall Anchor
No those anchors will NOT be sufficient to hold up THAT shelf. Those shelf brackets are too short and there will be a LARGE pulling force on the upper screw.
Assuming from the image that's a 10 inch ...
- 1,352
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 ...
- 202k
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 ...
- 20.9k
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 ...
- 34.3k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible