Anchor screws allow you to hang heavy items on a wall or where you don't have a wall post to support nails. When properly installed, these anchor screws can hold up to 32 kg in weight making them great for heavy frames, paintings and mirrors. To attach anchor screws to a wall, you need to choose the right anchor and install it in the location where the object will hang.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Choosing the Right Anchor
Step 1. Determine the type of wall to be anchored
What are your walls made of? Different types of walls require different types of anchors and possibly different installation processes.
- The plaster wall starts from a wooden frame constructed from thin strips of wood from a lathe. This frame is then applied several layers of plaster until it reaches the desired density. Plaster walls were widely used during the early 1900s.
- Drywall walls are made of plaster sheets sandwiched between two sheets of paper. Drywall became popular in the United States and Canada in the late 1950s because it was a lighter substitute for plaster walls.
- Brick and mortar walls, as well as concrete are also commonly used.
Step 2. Weigh the object
This is the second most important factor that needs to be determined in choosing the right type of wall anchor.
The cabinet, due to the way it hangs on the wall, will be very heavy on the anchor. Thus, the cabinet should not be hung using an anchor. Depending on the size of the cabinet, you can look for one that is small and light so that it can be anchored
Step 3. Determine the location of the item to be hung
The angle of attachment of the anchor and the weight of the object will determine the type of anchor to be used. The amount of mass that weighs on the anchor affects its support.
Step 4. Choose the right anchor screws
This can only be done if you already know the type of material to be anchored, the approximate mass of the object to be hung, and the angle of the anchor (for example, when mounted on a ceiling).
- Plaster walls: all objects lighter than 9 kg can be hung with plastic expansion anchor. use molly bolt for objects heavier than 9 kg.
- Drywall wall: use grooved anchor screw for objects lighter than 9 kg. Use molly bolt if it weighs more. Objects heavier than a few pounds, such as smoke detectors, are not recommended to be hung from drywall ceilings.
- Concrete or brick and mortar walls require expansion anchor. Be sure to never anchor between concrete or brick joints. Anchors should only be attached to the brick or stone itself, and not to the grout. The amount of load that the anchor can bear will be determined by the strength and condition of the wall itself (eg old brick and mortar walls in poor condition tend to be brittle and can crumble; this has a direct impact on the load the anchor can support).
Method 2 of 4: Installing the Expansion Anchor
Step 1. Determine the exact location of the object to be hung
If the picture frame or mirror has a hanging strap behind it, be sure to consider the slack when deciding how the frame will look on the wall.
Step 2. Make a small mark with a pencil where the center of the screw will be
If the picture frame or mirror has multiple hooks on the back, make sure you measure the distance between them. Use the level to measure the point to the second anchor. Make another small mark using a pencil where the second anchor will be attached.
You can also dab some oil or lipstick on the hook where the object will hang. Hang the object where you want it, and press it gently against the wall. Oil or lipstick will leave a mark on the wall marking where the anchor will be attached
Step 3. Make a hole at the marked point
Make sure you hold the drill perpendicular to the wall so that the anchor will be parallel to the floor; anchors that are not attached straight will not be able to support the load properly. It's a good idea to make a hole the same size as the anchor itself (screws will force it to expand outward).
Make sure the hole made is deeper than the length of the anchor
Step 4. Slide the expansion anchor into the hole
If the hole is too small, the anchor will fall off on its own and not fit properly. Push in until the anchor is aligned with the wall. Do not hit the screws as they may bend or break.
If needed, lightly tap the anchor with a rubber mallet so that it is perpendicular to the wall surface
Step 5. Install the support screw on the anchor
Align the screw and anchor, then use a plus or minus screwdriver to turn the screw head exactly clockwise until the screw base touches the anchor base.
If the item being hung has a hanging bracket, screws may need to be threaded through the bracket before attaching it to the anchor
Step 6. Leave the screw a little bit by turning it counterclockwise
Be sure to leave enough screws to "catch" the hanger behind the object to be hung. The rule of thumb is to leave 0.5 cm long screws visible on the wall.
Method 3 of 4: Installing Grooved Anchor Screws
Step 1. Determine the exact location of the object to be hung
If the object has a leash behind it, be sure to consider the slack when deciding where to hang it.
Grooved anchor screws are commonly used in drywall
Step 2. Make a small mark with a pencil where the screw will be attached
If the object has multiple hooks behind it, be sure to measure the distance between them. Make another small mark with a pencil where the second anchor will be attached (aligned to the previous mark, and equal to the distance of the hook behind the object to be hung).
Step 3. Glue the ends of the grooved anchors at the points made
This anchor does not need a pilot hole because it can infiltrate itself.
Although it's not mandatory, you can use nails to make small indentations in the markings. These grooves will hold the ends of the anchors in place when you start screwing them into the wall
Step 4. Attach the anchor using a screwdriver
You will have to use a drill to attach the anchor. Be sure to hold the screwdriver or drill perpendicular to the wall to ensure that the anchor is perfectly aligned.
- Turn clockwise.
- Make sure you press hard enough for the anchor grooves to slip through. Otherwise, the end of the anchor will continue to rotate in place.
- Screw in the anchor until it sits straight against the wall.
Step 5. Install the support screw on the anchor
Align the screw and anchor, then use a plus or minus screwdriver to turn the screw head exactly clockwise until the screw base touches the anchor base.
If the item being hung has a hanging bracket, screws may need to be threaded through the bracket before attaching it to the anchor
Step 6. Leave the screw slightly by turning it counterclockwise
Be sure to leave enough screws to "catch" the hanger behind the object to be hung.
Method 4 of 4: Installing Molly Bolts
Step 1. Determine the exact location of the object to be hung
If the object has a leash behind it, be sure to consider the slack when deciding where to hang it.
Step 2. Make a small mark with a pencil where the screw will be attached
If the hanging object has multiple hooks in the back, be sure to measure the distance between them. Make another small mark with a pencil where the second anchor will line up with the previous mark, and the distance is equal to the distance between the hooks on the object to be hung.
Step 3. Make a hole at the marked point
The hole should be bigger than the molly bolt. You can measure it by folding the wings and measuring the width. When the molly bolt is screwed in, the wing is compressed and creates pressure. Make sure you hold the drill perpendicular to the wall so that the anchors are aligned. All wall anchors must be installed parallel to the floor
Make sure the hole made is deeper than the length of the anchor
Step 4. Insert the screw into the bolt
Different from the previous two types of anchor, where the anchor and screw need to be installed separately, the molly bolt and screw are installed simultaneously. Prepare the molly bolts by attaching the support screws to the wing bolts
Step 5. Tighten the bolts using a screwdriver
Be sure to hold the screwdriver perpendicular to the wall when turning it clockwise. This step ensures that the anchors are aligned straight.
- Since the pre-drilled hole is larger than the molly bolt, you don't need to use a drill.
- Do not tighten too tightly as the molly bolt will expand when screwed into the wall. Just make sure the bolts are tight enough.
Tips
- If the metal anchor is too long and won't fit into the drywall, drill a hole first and break the teeth at the end of the anchor with pliers. The anchor should now have more space.
- You don't need a drill and an eye when attaching anchors to drywall. All you have to do is screw the screws into the drywall (slowly so they don't bend or make the holes wider than they need to be), then take them out, then tap the anchors until they're in, and insert the screws into the anchors.
- To secure anchors in stone or cement, make small wooden pegs and drive them into the drilled holes.
Warning
- Make sure you don't drill directly above the outlet, switch, or back side of the plumbing. While drilling, stop when you feel it touch the metal. This is an indication that you should not drill further (as these metal plates usually protect electrical systems or water pipes).
- If the object to be hung is very heavy, you should use a butterfly nut.
- If the object is very light, try hanging it using small nails and the poster can be attached using tacks. You can also use double-sided tape to attach small objects.
- When drilling in concrete, make sure you use a hammer drill.
- Be sure to use round head screws, and not flat head ones.
- If the object to be hung is quite heavy, DO NOT use the curved hook shown in the picture as this hook is only used to hang light coffee cups. It is recommended that you use 1-2 hooks. Figure this hook is shaped so that the screw tilts down for a stronger support for the load. In this case, the inlet sleeve hole must also be drilled at a similar angle.
