Hello,
A bit of a newbie here in the forum (I've found loads of useful information before, but this is the first time I actually need to ask something). I've searched and rummaged around a lot without really finding answers to my concerns.
I've just moved into an apartment from the early last century (possibly even older) and now I'm planning to put up shelves, guitar hangers, and a few other things that need to handle a certain load, and I need some help with the choice of anchors/screws and perhaps some general advice on what to consider when doing such work.
The walls are plaster on (what I guess is) reed mat(?) and some walls are plaster directly on brick. When I, quite recently, was mounting hooks in the hallway, I noticed that it was really difficult to get them to hold properly. I think, but I'm not entirely sure, that wall is plaster on matting, so I've figured out I didn't drill deep enough (the screws that came with it were about 20 mm long) and that's why they ended up holding so poorly. I got a tip to fill the holes with plastic padding and then press in the anchors. That worked okay, but it doesn't feel like a good solution when putting up shelves for storing books, etc. You want them to be rock solid.
When I've been drilling so far, I've felt that I get through the plaster, but the drill never really reaches the next layer to get a grip on something sturdier.
So my questions are the following:
- What type of screws/anchors should I use to ensure it holds properly, with no risk of falling?
- Am I right in thinking that I should drill past the plaster and into the next "layer"?
- Is there anything else I need to consider or take into account?
Immensely grateful for all help!
Axel
A bit of a newbie here in the forum (I've found loads of useful information before, but this is the first time I actually need to ask something). I've searched and rummaged around a lot without really finding answers to my concerns.
I've just moved into an apartment from the early last century (possibly even older) and now I'm planning to put up shelves, guitar hangers, and a few other things that need to handle a certain load, and I need some help with the choice of anchors/screws and perhaps some general advice on what to consider when doing such work.
The walls are plaster on (what I guess is) reed mat(?) and some walls are plaster directly on brick. When I, quite recently, was mounting hooks in the hallway, I noticed that it was really difficult to get them to hold properly. I think, but I'm not entirely sure, that wall is plaster on matting, so I've figured out I didn't drill deep enough (the screws that came with it were about 20 mm long) and that's why they ended up holding so poorly. I got a tip to fill the holes with plastic padding and then press in the anchors. That worked okay, but it doesn't feel like a good solution when putting up shelves for storing books, etc. You want them to be rock solid.
When I've been drilling so far, I've felt that I get through the plaster, but the drill never really reaches the next layer to get a grip on something sturdier.
So my questions are the following:
- What type of screws/anchors should I use to ensure it holds properly, with no risk of falling?
- Am I right in thinking that I should drill past the plaster and into the next "layer"?
- Is there anything else I need to consider or take into account?
Immensely grateful for all help!
Axel
For example this E-15 091 10 or E-15 091 11
In a brick wall, I would use anchors specifically for brick walls 
Fischer has anchors for all conceivable materials, just choose the right type. Porous materials can be tricky to make holes in, what machine and drills are you using? Sometimes it's better to use a drill that is smaller than recommended so the anchor really holds. Sometimes I use the hammer drill without impact when it's really loose like in aerated concrete, for example, and with a smaller drill bit like 5.5 mm instead of 6 mm. In a brick wall, it works well to secure the anchor with glue, preferably PL 400 or similar.
I don't really know about reed walls :blushing: but based on my experience with other materials, I would either look for studs in the wall and screw into them. Or if it's not possible to find or if it turns out that reed walls do not have studs, I would place the shelves on the floor or alternatively build my own supports for shelves that are also attached to the wall. If the wall consists solely of reed and plaster, it's hardly possible to hang anything heavier than 5 g on it, is it? But the reed experts would have to answer that.
Fischer has anchors for all conceivable materials, just choose the right type. Porous materials can be tricky to make holes in, what machine and drills are you using? Sometimes it's better to use a drill that is smaller than recommended so the anchor really holds. Sometimes I use the hammer drill without impact when it's really loose like in aerated concrete, for example, and with a smaller drill bit like 5.5 mm instead of 6 mm. In a brick wall, it works well to secure the anchor with glue, preferably PL 400 or similar.I don't really know about reed walls :blushing: but based on my experience with other materials, I would either look for studs in the wall and screw into them. Or if it's not possible to find or if it turns out that reed walls do not have studs, I would place the shelves on the floor or alternatively build my own supports for shelves that are also attached to the wall. If the wall consists solely of reed and plaster, it's hardly possible to hang anything heavier than 5 g on it, is it? But the reed experts would have to answer that.
If the plaster is "reinforced" with reeds, then it is plank or timber as the wall structure. Get a longer screw and it will hold without any problems.
Jan-Å: I don't own a drill myself, but I borrowed a Bosch screwdriver/drill. No hammer function on it though. Now I've returned it, so I guess I'll be looking for another drill to get going with. What it might be, I don't even dare to speculate.
In the walls that I know are brick, I have no plans to drill, but at least there you have something solid to attach to. It's mainly the other walls, which, as Thomas wrote, are "reinforced" with reeds that will be subjected to my drilling attacks.
Thomas: "plank or timber as wall frame," does that mean there are studs supporting the reed mat or what does it usually look like behind? I would prefer not to have to adjust the placement of the shelves according to where the studs are but, if possible, to be able to place the shelves where I want them to be. But if I understand it correctly, it's about drilling a bit past the plaster to find something where it attaches firmly?
In the walls that I know are brick, I have no plans to drill, but at least there you have something solid to attach to. It's mainly the other walls, which, as Thomas wrote, are "reinforced" with reeds that will be subjected to my drilling attacks.
Thomas: "plank or timber as wall frame," does that mean there are studs supporting the reed mat or what does it usually look like behind? I would prefer not to have to adjust the placement of the shelves according to where the studs are but, if possible, to be able to place the shelves where I want them to be. But if I understand it correctly, it's about drilling a bit past the plaster to find something where it attaches firmly?
Diversearbetare
· Göteborg
· 11 175 posts
Yep. They are usually 3-inch thick planks and 20-25mm plaster on top of reinforced plaster. To avoid the plaster (revetering) from cracking, you can pre-drill with a tile drill bit. The plaster doesn't bear any weight at all, so do it right and screw stable screws into the plank underneath. 70-80mm long screws usually work well.broraxel said:
Diversearbetare
· Göteborg
· 11 175 posts
70-80mm long screws + the thickness of what you are going to attach.
Just take it easy when you drill. Had the same type (Kloasong) wall in my last 2 apartments. In one of them, the reed was partially attached with chicken wire before plastering. I drilled and managed to catch part of the wire, it was quite a lot to fill with construction fix ;-)
Otherwise, as several have written before, you probably have a wall of solid planks behind.
Otherwise, as several have written before, you probably have a wall of solid planks behind.