We were in the process of installing an Elvarli shelving system from IKEA. The shelving system is one with poles that go from the floor and are mounted to the ceiling (see image). We planned to install three poles in total, and the first two went smoothly. However, when we tried to install the third pole, we ran into a problem—we could only drill about a centimeter into the ceiling before hitting some kind of metal (you can see it’s metal when shining a flashlight into the drill hole). The poles have two attachment points, and the metal covers both drill holes. We suspect it’s some kind of metal plate rather than rebar because all the holes are in a straight line and we didn’t encounter it in any of the other drill holes.
The problem now is that we can’t move the drill holes anywhere else—the pole must stand at this exact distance from the other one. We’re, of course, very keen on getting this pole installed and wanted to see if anyone handy and clever has suggestions for a good solution? We don’t know exactly how large this metal plate, or whatever it is, is, but one idea we had was to buy some sort of perforated plate (like this one: https://www.biltema.se/bygg/byggbes...GkTtPObYW94ORx0Njp1ZGS3NLMA2WA-AaAhw1EALw_wcB) that can attach the pole to and then attach that to the ceiling. Could that work, or does anyone have a better solution? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I should add that we're not willing to attempt drilling through the metal since we don’t know what it is (we live in an apartment building).
We were in the process of installing an Elvarli shelving system from IKEA. The shelving system has poles that go from the floor and attach to the ceiling (see picture). We were planning to put up three poles in total, and the first two went fine. When we tried to attach the third one, we ran into problems - we could only drill about a centimeter into the ceiling before hitting some kind of metal (you can see that it's metal when shining a flashlight into the drill hole). The poles have two attachment points, and the metal covers both drill holes. We guess it's some kind of metal plate and not rebar because all the drill holes are in a straight line and we didn't encounter it in any of the other drill holes.
The problem now is that we have no way to place the drill holes elsewhere - the pole needs to stand at exactly this distance from the other. We are, of course, very eager to get this pole up and would therefore like to hear if any handy and clever person has suggestions for a good solution? We don't know exactly how big this metal plate or whatever it is, but one idea we had was to buy some type of perforated plate (similar to this: [link]) that can attach the pole and then secure that to the ceiling. Could that work, or does anyone have a better solution? Help is gratefully received!
I can add that we don't dare to try drilling through the metal when we don't know what it is (we live in an apartment building).
[image] [image]
It is almost certainly rebar. Just take a 4-cut concrete drill bit and go for it
Hello! I agree with GoGetLost that it must be a rebar. Is it an old house? Then it could be a cast iron well, but it shouldn't be there since apartments usually look the same on all floors, plus you probably would have drilled through it quite immediately. Just because you didn't hit rebar in the first two holes doesn't mean you haven't in the third. Rebar mats are a grid, so you might have hit one that is across the wall and not one that runs parallel to the wall.
But if you don't dare drill through, the nail plate might work just fine.
It's almost guaranteed to be rebar. Just get a 4-flute concrete drill bit and go for it
Thanks for the response! We thought it wasn't rebar since it would have to go across the wall, but it covers both holes (are they usually that thick?). Anyway, we're probably too scared to try drilling through it, that "almost guaranteed" part... But can you really just drill through rebar like that?
Hi! I agree with GoGetLost that it must be rebar. Is it an old house? Then it could be an iron casting well, but it shouldn't be there since apartments usually look the same on all floors and you probably would have drilled through it quite quickly. Just because you didn't hit rebar in the first two holes doesn't mean you haven't in the 3rd. Reinforcement mats are grids, so you may have hit one that runs across the wall and not one that runs parallel to the wall.
But if you're not daring enough to drill through, that bracket will probably work.
Thanks for the response! Well, it's from the 60s, so it's not very old, but the apartment above has the same layout, so it shouldn't be a well. We mostly thought it wasn't rebar because it covers both holes, and such a rebar should not be that thick, right? Or maybe we've been unlucky and encountered two in these drill holes, but none in the others.
Yes, maybe we'll go with that after all! It's unfortunately not very pretty, but I don't think we're adventurous enough to attempt to drill through...
The neighbor has their living room above, so we really hope not, but of course, we can't help but worry that it's some super important load-bearing component and that we're causing ridiculously expensive damage by drilling through it... Luckily, it stopped when we hit it.
To avoid reinforcement in the slab if encountered, the hole should be moved diagonally about 3 cm, then a plate can shift the hole(s), requiring 2 holes up and smaller screws to hold. PS how deep is the hole you have made.
Okay, then it's probably not cast iron anyway. No, they are probably not that thick, but it could be a piece of rebar that someone just threw into the mold, or it's iron that lies parallel to the wall but is slightly slanted, and you were lucky to miss it in the first two places but hit it in the third.
If you don't feel comfortable drilling through, then you certainly shouldn't do it. But you managed to get a few centimeters deep hole anyway? What you could do is buy a threaded rod of an appropriate size, then cut it to a length from the bottom of the hole so you can attach the bracket for the shelf and also get a nut on. Then vacuum the holes clean, and use injection mortar/anchor mortar and press it into the holes, and put the pieces of the threaded rod in and let it cure. Then attach the bracket and then put on the nuts. It will be more expensive than a nail plate but nicer anyway.
Looks like you're adjusting the posts' height? If so, you can place a piece of wood in between, attach it to the ceiling, and then attach the post to it.
Okay, then it's probably not cast iron. No, they are probably not that thick but it could be a piece of reinforcement that someone just threw into the mold or it is iron that lies parallel to the wall but is a bit angled and you were lucky to miss on the first two spots but hit on the third one.
If you don't feel comfortable drilling through, then you absolutely should not do it. But you did manage to get a few centimeters deep at least? What you could do is buy a threaded rod in the appropriate size, then cut it to a length from the bottom of the hole so that you can attach the bracket to the shelf and also put on a nut. Then vacuum clean the holes and then use injection/anchor adhesive and squeeze it into the holes, then insert the pieces of threaded rod and let it harden. Then you place the bracket and then put on the nuts. It's more expensive than a nail plate but looks nicer anyway.
Hi and thanks for the response! I thought I was supposed to get an email about new replies but I must have missed this one. That sounds like a much nicer solution than what we had in mind! We will measure how far we actually got, because I assume you'd want the hole to be at least a centimeter for it to work? If it seems deep enough, we're quite keen to go with exactly this.
Looks like you're adjusting the post height? In that case, you can put a piece of wood between them that you attach to the ceiling and then attach the post to it.
Hello! Thanks for your reply! Yes, maybe that's a neater and more practical solution than the plate we initially thought of. We're hoping first and foremost that the hole is deep enough to do as Snickarkirre suggested, but if that doesn't work, this sounds like a good proposal.
To avoid reinforcement in the slab if encountered, the hole should be moved diagonally about 3 cm, a plate can then offset the hole(s), it needs 2 holes up and a smaller screw to hold. PS how deep is the hole you made.
Thanks for the response! I estimated the hole to be just over a centimeter, but we need to measure because it might be relevant for which solution could work. I'll get back to you!
How deep had you managed to drill? Honestly, I don't know if one cm is enough or not. Ideally, you want it as deep as possible. But it's definitely worth a try. There won't be any super heavy loads on the threaded rods, so I think it should work as long as the injection compound is allowed to cure properly before you load the shelf. Feel free to let me know how it went; I'm curious if it works or not.
How deep did you manage to drill? Honestly, I don't know if one cm is enough or not. Ideally, you want it as deep as possible. But it's definitely worth a try. There won't be super heavy loads on the threaded rods, so I think it should work if the injection adhesive is allowed to cure properly before you load the shelf. Let me know how it goes as I'm curious if it works or not.
We measured it to 1.5 cm now, so it's borderline... We still want to try if you don't think it's completely doomed. If so, we'll get back to you on whether it held or not. But we'll make sure to let the injection adhesive cure properly, thanks!
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