How to Hang Pictures and Shelves on Brick and Drywall
Hanging a picture sounds easy until the drill hits brick or the screw spins loose in drywall. Start by finding out what is behind the surface. Tap the wall and listen. A hollow sound usually means drywall.
Use a masonry bit and wall plugs for brick. Use a gypsum anchor for drywall. Mark your spot with a pencil and a spirit level before you drill.
Match the fixing to the weight
Light frames need only a small plug. Shelves with books need heavier plugs and screws that bite deep. Always check the weight rating on the pack before you buy.
Drilling brick takes patience. Use a hammer drill, keep the bit straight and clear the dust often. Push the plug in until it sits flush with the wall, then drive the screw slowly.
Drywall needs more care
Find the studs with a detector before you fix a shelf. If there is no stud, use a toggle anchor rated for the load. Never trust a plain screw in drywall to carry books or a heavy mirror.
Thabo Mokoena, Brick Walls
Use a hammer drill with a sharp masonry bit and go slowly. Drill a little deeper than the plug is long so the dust has room to fall. Blow the hole clean before you push the plug in. Then drive the screw until it feels firm, not forced.
Annelize Botha, Drywall Anchors
Tap the wall first to find hollow spots and studs. Pick an anchor that matches the weight of your frame or shelf. Press it in gently so the sheet does not crumble. If the anchor spins, move over a few centimetres and try again.
Sipho Dlamini, Heavy Shelves
A loaded shelf pulls hard on the top screws. Use brackets that are long enough to carry the full depth of the shelf. Fix into brick or a stud wherever you can. Check the level twice before you put the first book on it.
Pieter van Wyk, Picture Rails
If you hang many frames, a picture rail saves your walls from endless holes. Fix the rail into solid points once, then slide hooks along it as you change the layout. It is neat, cheap and easy to adjust on a Saturday morning.
Tools to keep close
Before you start, put a few basics on the bench. You need a tape measure, a spirit level, a pencil, a hammer drill and a set of masonry and wood bits. A stud detector helps with drywall. Keep a vacuum or a small brush nearby to catch the dust. With these ready, the job goes faster and the wall stays clean.
