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Everything You Wanted to Know About Wall Fastener Installation
We all have treasures
in our house or apartment that we hang on the walls.
In order to insure that those treasures are displayed
for their best viewing, we need to install a wall fastener.
That wall fastener should be installed correctly and
able to adequately support the treasure we want displayed.
In order to install wall fasteners successfully,
you need to know how to select the best wall fastener
for the job. What information do you need to make the
best selection?
First, what kind of wall does the fastener
have to be installed on? The type of wall will go a
long way in determining the fastener to use. The wall
type could be drywall or plaster. You also need to know
the weight of the treasure you want to have the wall
fastener display. Other types of walls could be glass,
brick, concrete, cinder block, marble, stone, tile or
wood. Each wall type will require a specific type of
fastener.
There are specific wall fasteners for
specialized jobs, such as hanging a mirror. Other fasteners
can work for a variety of items. Make sure you select
the fastener that will be strong enough to support the
item you wish to display. If the fastener is not strong
enough, the result may be more work to repair the spot
on the wall that is damaged from being pulled out of
the wall by an object too heavy for the item.
When hanging heavy objects, you will
want to find a stud to anchor the fastener. A stud locator
will make finding a stud in the wall much easier. Lighter
loads can be hung between the studs with the correct
fastener. These could include plastic expansion anchor
plugs, toggle bolts, screw expansion anchors and toggle
anchors.
You will need certain tools and materials
in order to successfully install a wall fastener. These
tools include a screwdriver, hammer, stud locator, and
a drill and bits. Materials you will need include the
correct wall fasteners, nails and screws.
Normally, walls are constructed of drywall
that is screwed or nailed to framing studs that are
located either 16" or 24" apart. The stud
locator will come in handy to find those studs. Once
one stud is found, you can measure 16" or 24"
away and approximate the next stud. Use the stud finder
again to confirm the location. Another type of wall
in older homes is a plaster wall. Drilling a pilot hole
smaller than the screw used to attach the wall fastener
will prevent cracking the plaster wall. Pilot holes
also make it much easier to drive the screw into the
correct location with minimal damage to the wall.
If you choose an expansion anchor plug,
you will want to drill a hole in the wall the size of
the plug. This will allow the plug to fit snuggly into
the hole. The expansion plug will be pressed into the
hole so that it is snug with the wall. Inserting the
screw through the fastener and driving the screw into
the expansion plug will expand the plug. It will then
fit tightly against the sides of the hole.
A toggle bolt will require a hole a
little larger than the diameter of the collapsed wings
of the toggle bolt. When the toggle bolt is pressed
through the hole, it will expand and be pressed against
the other side of the wall as the screw is tightened.
You will want to insert the collapsed toggle assembly
that includes the toggle, bolt and fixture into the
hole until the toggle wings open on the other side of
the wall. Pull the bolt back slightly. This will set
it against the other side of the wall and provide more
surface contact than a regular bolt. Tighten the bolt
until the fixture is tight against the wall.
A screw expansion anchor is similar
to an expansion anchor plug. A hole is drilled that
is a little larger than the diameter of the anchor.
Insert the anchor into the hole until the prongs grip
the wall securely. Screw the bolt into the hole. This
will force the anchor to fold its wings against the
other side of the wall. Remove the screw and insert
the bolt through the fixture and back into the anchor.
This will secure the fixture onto the wall.
Installing a plastic toggle anchor in
a hollow wall requires a pilot hole be drilled approximately
the size of the toggle anchor. Push the wing tip toward
the head to double the flexible arms and form a sort
of pin. Pinch the arms together and press into the pilot
hole and flush with the wall. Drive the screw into the
opening, which will draw the wings against the other
side of the wall.
A visit to your local hardware store
will present you with numerous fasteners. Choosing the
correct one for the job is crucial to a successful installation
of the wall fastener. Your local hardware technician
will also be a great help in the selection and giving
installation tips.
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