Help from DIYer's please....

The interior refurbishment of my elderly bungalow was finished at the end of the summer, but I now have a problem.

The interior walls previously were rendered on brick and then plastered, now they are plaster boarded and skimmed. The problem is, with hollow walls how do we attach anything to them, even hanging a picture is a nightmare as we can't use hooks, they just fall out.

My other half isn't really a diy man and is frightened to tackle the situation for fear of messing up. I need some hooks for curtain tie backs attached to the walls but don't know how to go about this. Can someone 'talk' me through it please?

 

Surely the walls can't be that hollow? If they are you'll find yourself accidentally putting holes everywhere, every time you accidentally knock something against it.

Sorry, I know that doesn't answer your question. I'm just very puzzled about how it must have been done.

 

Was it "dot and dabbed" plasterboarded or battoned?

Dot 'n dab is splodges of plaster on the brickwork and boards pressed against this....batons are a wooden framework attached to the brick...then the boards are screwed to them.

Do you know how the work was done?

Steve...

 

Use special plasterboard fixings

Speedplug Plasterboard Fixings with Screws (Box 100) from Aerial Shack

For heavier stuff use spring toggles
Spring Toggle - Plasterboard Fixings | Screwfix.com

If it is battoned on ie:- wooden battons screwed to wall then plaster board nailed to the battons. Then use above where it is "HOLLOW" or
Find a batton
by knocking along the wall with your knuckles until the hollow sound becomes a dull thump, here is your batton and you can use plain picture hook nails or screws


Jack McH

 

You can get long masonry rawlplug fixings to go right thru into the bricks but be very aware as to where the electrics go.

 

As you are only fitting tie backs, you won't need to fiix anything OTT and probably wouldn't be able to anyway as the screw holes for the hooks would be too small and close together.


Opt for a threaded rawl plug.




Or like one like this.



You might want something smaller than the above though!!!!:D:D


I would also consider fitting a picture hook that has two or three small holes, rather than the normal tie back hook which uses one big screw.

If you take this option, just a normal red straight rawl plug will work, and you can then use shorter lighter gauge screws. By using two or three smaller holes, you have spread the loading point and reduced any damage.


Just an example. The single hook to the top.




.

 

Thanks Ziggy, I know exactly where everything is behind the walls I was labouring for the guys along the way!

 

Eddie, The tie backs I have - have three holes in. If I use straight forward red plugs they just pull straight out. Already tested that one! So the plugs you suggest are an option. Thanks.

 

I would suggest the first ones jack listed, better than plastic. (if there is enough depth, which there may not be)

However there is another option. Assuming the wall is an inch away, drill through the plasterboard with a 5.5mm masonry bit, and keep going into the brick wall until the chuck almost touches the plaster board. Get a 2inch long no8 screw put a red rawl plug on the end of the screw, poke it into the plaster board, then into the hole and tap it in gently with a hammer, you can then screw it in to hold up what ever you need to. (Tip, rub soap on the screw, goes in much easier)

If you want lots of hooks, screw a board to the wall with a fixing at each end, and screw the small hooks into the new board.

 

I'm a plasterer by trade.

As said above, if they stuck the boards on with adhesive, then there should be dots, but I wouldn't advice you to start knocking holes into your walls trying to find where they are.

If they're battons (normally used during a damp course, and I'm guessing if you've had them sand and cemented inside, you had one done?) then just have a feel around to see where it doesn't seem hollow, just be careful, though.

 

Without a doubt, go for the first one's that Jack suggested. My daughter's bedroom walls are exactly the construction you describe and, as you say, putting up anything is a nightmare - using the 'speedplug' fixings though, I've been able to put up a curtain pole with full-length lined curtains and, as my husband would say 'That 'aint going nowhere lady'. I know you can buy them in Homebase (which is where I got mine) and thus, I suggest B&Q and Wickes would also have them.

 

Thanks everyone! It looks like the threaded rawl plug is the way to go. I'll pick some up in B & Q tomorrow.