Hi there,
I've got a mirror that I want to hang on my chimney breast. It's a circa 1900s mid terrace Victorian style house.
I think it's plasterboard: it sounds hollow throughout when I knock on it.
I've got multipurpose 10mm wall plugs and screws, the plug being 50mm in length.
Or I've also got a pack of rather sturdy looking UX 10x60 R S by Fischer.
Can anyone recommend if one of those types of screws will be able to support the weight and are appropriate? The mirror has 2 fixings; one on either side.
Do I need to worry about drilling into any pipes or anything behind the wall?
N.B the gas fire underneath has been removed and plastered over.
Thanks a lot in advance
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Unlikely that its plasterboard from the age of the house, unless the original plaster has at one time been removed and boarded. If thats not the case then the hollow sound you hear is from the original plaster that has blown.
I wouldn't use just one fixing for something that heavy. I always get 4 picture hooks for a job like this and put one on each side.
There should not be any pipes or wiring there but you should always check with a 3 in 1 stud detector first, that will find any pipes or wiring.
It's more than likely that it is brick 4inch brickwork behind the plaster on the chimney breast. When drilling brickwork there is always a risk of the bricks snapping or popping resulting in damage to the wall and a poor fixing. When getting fixings I would sugest going for a smaller diameter fixing (for example red plugs(5.5mm) or brown plugs (7mm) and go for length instead of diameter. 70 or 80mm screws in to the appropriate plugs should be adequate.
As mentioned before, its unlikely to be plasterboard' it will most definitely be 9'' brickwork & as for the hollow sound! that's most likely that the plaster has blown & separated from the brickwork. This would need to be investigated before attempting to hang a mirror otherwise is could pull the plaster off.
if its a chimley breast there will be bricks. the plastboard might be dot and dabbed..a screw a lenth of wood to the brick then you can screw on the wood. you are best using something wide. most surf space the better the plaster is very weak... so screw will just cause the plaster board to pop if there is a void between the brick and plaster board.... you might find the plaster board hasz been put on by battons.... use a stud finder and see if you can find them screw threw the plaster board into them to get a better fixing...
i find it best to put a batton up level and then hand the mirror.. the mirror will hide the batteren. you wont always get a good fixing. this way you can drill again to get a good fittings and put the hooks or screws for the mirror in the center
the raw plugs wont get a good fixing if there is a gap bettweent he wall and plaster board...
