Fixing radiator to wall

[Martin Pentreath]

I've just taken delivery of one of these for my kitchen:

plumbing aspect is dead easy because the wall it's going on is the other side of the boiler cupboard, so it's just a couple of holes through the wall. However, I'm more worried about getting a good fixing to the wall.

The rad is very heavy - about 30kgs I would guess, without any water - not something I want falling on anyone's head. The wall it's going on has been dry-lined (plasterboard on batten). The rad has four fixings, which are basically hooks which it sits on. I guess the way to fix them is with some long screws which go through the plasterboard into the brickwork, rather than with any other fancy fixings which rely on the strength of the plasterboard. What length screws should I use? Any tips for pushing the plug home into the brickwork? Any other advice?

[DIY]

To get wall plugs into holes in the brickwork you would probably need to open up a hole in the plasterboard large enough to let you se what you are doing and to use any tools, and opening up a hole will weaken the strength of the plasterboard. I don't think that is a safe way to fix a radiator of that weight, plus the weight of water and the force of someone pulling on the radiator. You might want to consider cutting the plasterboard away where the bracket and screws are to fit, then screw wooden spacers to the bricks (make them the same thickness as the space between the bricks and plasterboard) then glue the plasterboard back in place to the spacers. That way the brackets will be firmly and safely fixed to the brick wall via the spacers.

[Cicero]

================================= The radiator manufacturer will probably specify 3" / 10s screws for this job. If you use the method suggested by DIY you'll find it easier if you use hex head coach screws with suitable nylon plugs rather than ordinary screws. It's much easier to drive hex head coach screws with a spanner than large screws with a screwdriver.

You can buy the necessary coach screws with matching nylon plugs at the usual outlets - Wickes, Focus etc.

[Roger Mills]

I would *almost* do that, but with a slight variation.

Simply cut a 1" hole in the plasterboard (centred on the screw position) with a hole cutter. Then make a spacer by cutting a piece of 1" broom-stick to the right length to extend from the brick to the top surface of the plasterboard. Drill a clearance hole in the spacer for the screw. You will be able to insert a plug into the brick through the 1" hole in the plasterboard. Simply assemble the spacer onto the screw, behind the bracket, and screw the screw into the plug. You will them have a firm fixing, with the bracket level with the surface of the plasterboard.

[steve-l]

Or you could see our local builders merchant and get some special bolts that screw direct into concrete/brick etc. You'll need to get the correct size drill to make an initial hole in the brickwork then these wallbolts go straight in without plugs, they're very strong. This way, as long as you ensure you do get into the brickwork, you won't need to open up the plasterboard

[Roger Mills]

Sorry, that's not true!

There's no problem with straight-to-brick bolts *but*, in order to get a firm fixing, the screw or bolt needs to be tight so that it holds the bracket firmly against something solid - so that the weight is supported more by friction between bracket and wall than it is by shear in the bolt.

If the bracket is simply against plasterboard with an air gap behind it, the plasterboard will distort - and probably crack - and you'll never get it properly tight. That's why you need to remove a small bit of plasterboard and fit a spacer.

[Kaiser Sose]

As long as the rawl plugs are long enough then just drill hand hammer them flush to the plasterboard. As long as they have about three inches of purchase into the wall they it will be fine. Just make sure you don't make the hole with too big a masonry bit.

I have just hung a 50kg radiator in such a way and it is so well on the wall that you could lassoo a rope on it and abseil from it !

KS

[Aidan Karley]

All the radiators I've ever brought have included these big buggers of coach screws in the packaging. Yes, it is a lot easier spannering than breaking one's wrist.

[Martin Pentreath]

Thanks to all for the advice - as ever after a visit to uk.d-i-y I feel much wiser.

I'm planning to follow the advice to use a 25mm broomstick for spacers after first drilling a hole in the plasterboard with a 25mm spade bit. The brackets are more than big enough to cover this all up for a neat finish. Then (having drilled a clearance hole through the broomstick) I'm intending to use some "multi monti" straight-to-brickwork screws (no plugs neeed):

'll report back on progress, although these little projects always seem to sit around for a couple of weeks before I actually do them (partly because I need to build up another =A345 order for Screwfix free delivery).

Cheers!

Martin