North Texas Real Estate Blog

Sometimes it takes a while to feel comfortable in a new home in Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine, or anywhere in beautiful Tarrant County, Texas real estate.  Any move can be stressful, especially if you have children and teenagers.  So, when it comes time to making your new Southlake TX home reflect your style, avoid further frustration by learning how to properly hang your favorite big mirror, cornices, or wall unit. 

A little planning and you’ll avoid drilling multiple unnecessary holes or damaging the walls of your new North Texas real estate. 
What steps do you take to assure a level and secure placement for large, heavy pictures?  First of all, locate the studs with an electronic stud finder.  If you do not have access to this handy tool, try tapping the wall lightly with your knuckles or a hammer wrapped in cloth and mark the places where the sound is different.  If the sound is solid, there is a stud; if hallow, then no stud.  You can test the area by driving a thin nail and feeling for wood.

What type of nail or screw should you use?  Long nails and screws will go into the stud but it is better to use lag bolts and hanger bolts.  If the studs are metal, you will need to use sheet metal screws, No. 4 for light loads up to a No. 8 for heavy ones.  Drill up to the stud.  Then use a center punch to dent it, continuing the drilling with a narrow bit that is half the diameter of the screw.

How about mounting cabinets or very heavy items or pictures?  After you find the studs, using lag bolts install a board horizontally between the studs.  To install the lag bolt, you’ll need to drill a hole in the board that is slightly larger than the bolt’s diameter.  That hole will be the guide for you to drill the hole into the stud.  It should be slightly smaller than the bolt’s diameter.

If you are mounting lighter loads in this fashion on plaster walls, use hollow-wall anchors or toggle bolts.  Procure anchors long enough to extend through the walls.  Plastic anchors can only be used for very light loads.  To install a hollow-wall anchor, drill a hole about the same size as the anchor and insert it.  Tighten the screw until it flattens against the inside of the wall.  That part is removable.

Some units or objects need a toggle bolt to be secure and they are a bit more temperamental.  Drill a hole large enough to pass the folded wings through.  Before installing the bolt, attach the hook of your unit or object to it.

Another option is a modern invention called a Hercules hook which is designed to hold up to 150 pounds.  It is made of thin heavy metal and is laced directly into the wall.

Any picture or mirror weighing over five pounds should be equipped with a hanging wire.  Install screw eyes one-third of the way down from the top of the frame on each side.  Slip one end of a piece of hanging wire that is eight inches longer than the frame’s width into a screw eye.  Pull it out four inches and slip it through again.  Twist the short end tightly around the main wire and repeat the process with the other eye screw.

For expert and friendly assistance finding the right home for your family’s needs, contact Dave Warden at (817) 706-3291 or e-mail dave@davewarden.net.