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So , you desire to hang something profound than an average exposure shape from your drywall : Whether you ’re putting in a screw to support a rack ladened with dampish bath towels , a paper towel holder that gets steady use , or even a big mirror , you ’ll certainly need it to stay there andnotsuddenly tear through the wallboard under the weight of whatever it supports .
Tools & Materials
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Project Overview
Working Time : 5 to 10 minutesTotal Time : 5 to 10 minutesSkill Level : BeginnerEstimated Cost : $ 10 to $ 15
Before You Begin
Before set about to set up a drywall anchor , first settle if you even need to use one . Drywall anchorsare design to add strong suit to hollow dry wall . If you ’re lucky enough to find a bulwark scantling where you ’re planning to drive in a shag for that framed house painting or bathroom shelf , an anchor is n’t necessary . A exclusive holdfast ram into a stud can accommodate 100 Egyptian pound or more , depend on the size of the screw or slowdown deadbolt you ’re using . habituate a stud finder or some othermethod to regain the wall studsbehind the drywall before you begin .
Step 1: Select the right type of drywall anchor for your project.
There are different type of dry wall anchors , so check that that your drywall anchor is rated for the amount of weight you ’ll be putting on this fixedness , and appropriate for wherever it ’s installed ( some are meant for walls , for example , and others for the ceiling ) .
In these instructions for how to apply dry wall mainstay , we ’re working with a thread or self - drilling dry wall anchor that check up to 50 pound and can be installed without a recitation . These drywall anchors for heavy items go into wall without any pre - drilling and hail in strengths roll from 25 to 75 pound , which is enough for most sluttish - responsibility to moderate - duty projects .
Other than threaded anchor , the most common type of drywall linchpin is the expansion linchpin . Like string anchors , these can be used for hanging artwork , floating shelves , or bathroom hooks . Since this mainstay is shaped like a plastic , hollow plug , it requires you to drill a pilot hole that matches the diameter of the anchor before you insert the anchor . The anchorman should fit snugly inside the cakehole . When the screw is drive into the anchor , the backbone ’s tip dilate , locking it into home inside the drywall . Since a fireplug drywall ground tackle is n’t as inviolable as a threaded drywall anchor , it ’s best for light - duty job of up to 25 pounds .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Step 2: Use moderate pressure to twist a self-drilling wall anchor into drywall.
You only need to apply moderate pressure sensation with ascrewdriverto install thread dry wall anchors , as their points will ego - drill into the paries . When the spacious threads begin to snaffle on , ensure you keep applying air pressure so the anchor does n’t simply spin out in the muddle and dig out thedrywall . If you ’re having a hard time get the anchor started , exercise a pilot kettle of fish using a drill bit that ’s narrow in diameter than the anchor .
you may also use a cordless practice session with a screwdriver bit to drive in the anchor , but you ’ll need to do so carefully to avert stripping out the dry wall with the anchor ’s threads . Drive the anchorman in using a slow , incessant speed and be indisputable not to overtighten it .
Step 3: Turn the drywall anchor in until the lip is flush with the wall.
Whether using a manual screwdriver or cordless driver , be thrifty not to fasten the anchor so much that it actually becomes inset into the wall .
For plug anchor , push the anchorperson into the pilot burner cakehole until the rim is up against the wallboard . You may need to bug the anchorman with a hammer to motor it completely into the hole . The anchorman should meet snugly inside the archetype hole . Resist the itch to force the plug into a kettle of fish that ’s too small , which could damage the anchor or wallboard . If the golf hole is too modest , polish off the plug and use a slimly large drill bit to widen the hole ’s diameter .
Step 4: Attach your rack or shelf to the wall by screwing into the drywall anchor.
Once again , make trusted you first put the piece of ass through the hole of the matter you ’re attaching to the rampart . ( In this example , we ’re attaching a wall bracket to the wall to stand a small ledge . Note how the screw passes through the trap in the bracket before wind into the drywall anchor . )
Here ’s what it look like behind your bulwark . The all-inclusive thread of a threaded dry wall anchorperson and the serrations on the plug - style anchor help it to grab onto the surrounding drywall . When the screw fail in , it pops the barbs out for add powerfulness . Redecorating or moving out ? When you have no purpose for them any longer , learnhow to remove wallboard anchors .
Final Thoughts
By using the methods above , you could dramatically increase the load - bearing exercising weight of dry wall from a lbf. or two up to 75 pounds . Since drywall lynchpin depart in size and load evaluation , it ’s crucial to take careful government note of weight when working with these dick . While turgid threaded anchors may be able to take up to 75 Ezra Pound , diminished plug - expressive style anchors may only support up to 10 pounds . By paying careful attention to an mainstay ’s load limitations and the total weight of the particular ( along with the weighting of any items it will guard ) will see to it the anchor remains securely attached to the drywall .
extra reporting fromPete Fazio .
FAQs
Whether you need to predrill a gob for a dry wall keystone calculate on the case of anchor . thread drywall anchor do not involve a pilot hole to install . If the anchor does not have a thread lead , you ’ll necessitate to drill a pilot hole . apply a recitation fleck that ’s the same diam as the physical structure of the linchpin .
Your dry wall anchor is spinning for one of two reasons . If the anchor required you to drill a pilot golf hole , you drill too big of a jam . If you ’re using a threaded drywall anchor , you have overtightened the anchor , causing it to strip out the fence in dry wall . You ’ll need to drill a new hole in a different location on the paries or use a expectant keystone and screw .
That depend on the type of drywall anchorperson . If you ’re using a threaded anchorman , you must practice a screwdriver or cordless driver to set up the anchor into wallboard . attempt to hammer it in will damage the anchor and likely the wall . you could expend a hammer to tap an unthreaded drywall ground tackle into a airplane pilot golf hole as long as the airplane pilot hole is n’t too small . The lynchpin should go into the yap with short rap and fit snugly .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
A drywall ground tackle ’s weight capacity look on the type of anchor . moldable threaded drywall anchors can endure up to 75 pounds .
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Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
