55
votes
Accepted
How do I reattach a shelf to the wall when it ripped out of the wall?
It was installed incorrectly.
It appears what you have in the picture is a knotting anchor. Near the tip of the plastic sleeve is a threaded section. Properly installed, tightening the screw should ...
- 1,187
50
votes
Why was a screw hot after removal from a wall?
It's friction. If you hit a power wire, you'll know immediately as a circuit breaker will pop and there will be a very loud sound. Removing or installing a long screw in wood with a screwgun can ...
- 7,583
32
votes
Can I mount a TV stand on drywall on only one stud?
Technically might work. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Mount a piece of plywood on the wall, screwed into 2 studs. Mount stand to plywood. Done.
If you paint the plywood to match the wall (doesn't need to be ...
30
votes
Accepted
Mounted tv too high, OK to use same studs to remount?
Absolutely no problem.
The screws (actually called "lag bolts") bite into the wood immediately around them, and the wood fibers around that hold the bolt in place.
Yes the holes you made already ...
- 25.8k
30
votes
How do I mount this towel rack that was ripped off the wall?
The traditional solution for a pulled out towel rack is to remove the towel rack, patch the holes (usu two on each end) and place the rack slightly higher or lower. An experienced or inventive person ...
- 20.8k
27
votes
How safe is it to mount a TV tight to the wall with steel studs?
If the TV will be on a pivot arm the answer is absolutely not. If it will be tight to the wall, as you say, and generally nobody will be physically handling the TV (tilting or moving, e.g. to plug in ...
- 32.1k
24
votes
Used circle cutter in wrong place in drywall, best repair method?
Cut some short strips of plywood or even paneling (long enough to overlap both sides of the hole by a couple of inches). Don't cut your fingers off.
Put the plywood strip(s) in the hole and position ...
- 5,866
22
votes
How do I reattach a shelf to the wall when it ripped out of the wall?
TL;DR If you mount the shelf supports directly to studs, do that. Just make sure to use long screws - at least 1" into the studs.
There are two typical ways to attach a shelf (or heavy mirror or ...
22
votes
Accepted
Why not use a plastic receptacle box for an outdoor outlet?
The problems are not specific to an outdoor location. They are for any use.
Top 10 reasons metal boxes are better than plastic boxes:
Metal completes a circuit. So if a hot wire comes loose, it will ...
21
votes
Accepted
Considerations for hardwiring electronics project in wall
Not only will you need to get your local inspector's approval, in writing (and the inspector will defer to Underwriter's Laboratories or other NRTL, so we're talking about getting a UL listing for ...
21
votes
Accepted
Safe to screw on a paper towel holder way above socket?
If you are concerned about the presence of wiring near where you are installing this, grab yourself a stud finder with "live wire" detection from your local hardware store. Entry level ...
- 456
20
votes
How safe is it to mount a TV tight to the wall with steel studs?
There's a few things in here so let's cover them one at a time
Can I support a TV mount with only drywall?
If we're talking a modern TV (i.e. a 2015+ 4k TV) then yes. I recently had my living room TV ...
- 23.5k
19
votes
Can studs be 2-4 inches apart?
Yes. They can be however far apart the builder wants them. I have used 3-4 studs within 16" when doing bathrooms, high traffic corner, in bathrooms for showers... and have installed an extra ...
- 47.7k
19
votes
Accepted
Securely mounting to drywall corner with no stud
Turned comment into this answer:
With typical 1/2" drywall, you would have to go back at least 3/4" of an inch to find the 2x4 that the drywall should be fastened to. If you need to securely ...
- 6,426
18
votes
Accepted
Pulley setup to raise a laundry drying bar levelly
As both bib and Johnny have said, the simplest way to do this is to use two separate ropes. You can either manually pull on both ropes at the same time, or the ropes can be tied together prior to each ...
- 333
18
votes
Is 3/4" plywood sufficiently strong to mount an 85" television?
There are "three stud" TV mounts where the backing plate is wide enough that you can connect with at least two studs and then mount the TV exactly where you want, even if it isn't centered ...
- 32.1k
17
votes
Can a toilet paper holder be mounted to the side of an MDF bath vanity?
It shouldn't be a problem. MDF doesn't have the best screw-holding strength, but TP holders are very light so it shouldn't be an issue. If you are concerned, you could put longer (1") bolts - not ...
- 8,774
16
votes
Coat hook rack above a wall with fuse boxes
In the US code prohibits the panel from being in the vicinity of easily ignitible material with clothes closets specifically listed NEC 240.24.D. So based on that I would say it's not a good idea.
- 102k
16
votes
How safe is it to mount a TV tight to the wall with steel studs?
Metal studs?
Welcome to the world of the "self-drilling sheet metal screw"
Image from "Albanycountyfasteners.com" never heard of them, not associated in any way.
You don't need ...
- 193k
14
votes
Accepted
Using a board when studs don't line up
You could also simply redrill new holes to match the framing. 2 or 3 new holes near the ones that are there will not weaken the bar. The holes look oversized for a range of fasteners, you could use ...
- 33.8k
13
votes
How do I mount this towel rack that was ripped off the wall?
Get to the Studs
Regular anchors are fine for an ordinary towel bar. But not for a grab bar. For regular anchors to work here, you would need to (a) patch the drywall, (b) install the towel bar with ...
13
votes
How do I mount this towel rack that was ripped off the wall?
This happens when bathroom fixtures are only fastened to drywall -- such fixtures are easily ripped out. If you have young children, they will be mysteriously compelled to swing like monkeys from ...
- 237
13
votes
Accepted
Mounting TV on a weird wall that has some material between the drywall and stud
Trying to mount an articulating arm that is designed to mount to a single stud will not stand up mounted to that type of wall construction. Even with long lag bolts there is just too much chance that ...
- 64k
13
votes
Can I mount a TV stand on drywall on only one stud?
I am going to guess that cabinet is 60" wide. Assuming your studs are 16" oc then you should have 3 studs in the wall behind the tv stand. Forget the pre-drilled holes your tv stand gave ...
- 12.9k
12
votes
How to hang a ceiling fan in a metal gazebo
I would drill suitable sized holes and fit 4 or even 6 rivnuts in M6 or M8 size.
Rivnuts are easily found and once the hole is drilled, you nut them up and they collapse on the far side like a rivet. ...
- 26.1k
11
votes
Pulley setup to raise a laundry drying bar levelly
In theory, a perfectly balanced load and frictionless pulleys would result in a level rise.
But lack of balance and friction are always with us.
The simplest way to ensure a level rise is to use two ...
- 33.6k
11
votes
Safe to screw on a paper towel holder way above socket?
I wouldn't worry too much. Modern electrical standards have wire stapled an inch and a bit back from the interior of the drywall. If your screws are less than 1.5" long, you shouldn't hit anything. If ...
- 19.2k
11
votes
Electrical box too small/incompatible with mounting plate
The inner set of slots should line up with your box screws, no need to drill the mounting. They are slots so the mounting can be rotated, and you can turn it 180 degrees if the end of the slots don't ...
- 193k
10
votes
How do I secure a TV wall mount?
Now that I see your photo I'd do this differently. I'd install a vertical cleat just behind the faceframe on each side of the cabinet, maybe 1" back (the thickness of the plate plus 1/4"). I'd then ...
- 126k
10
votes
How do we add structurally sound faux stud for a single stud TV mount?
A bunch of ways to do this. What I would probably do myself, which is not what you are currently planning, is:
Cut a piece of plywood, probably 3/4" thick, 24" tall by ~ 20" (studs 16" apart) or ~ 28"...
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