Kids have pulled radiator off plasterboard wall!

J

jc1981

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Hello,

I need some advice please. My kids have successfully managed to pull the radiator off the plasterboard wall (I am assuming it is plasterboard since it sounds hollow when you knock on it) in the playroom and it is currently laying on the floor. Fortunately the pipes are plastic and flexible so there are no leaks.

I obviously want to fix it asap to avoid any further issues, but am not sure the best course of action. The radiator was affixed, aligned to the middle under a window and I really don't want to re-position it off-centre and lose the symmetry. Due to the amount of damage to the plasterboard when they pulled it off the wall, I don't think the option of using larger fixings in the existing holes will work.

Is there a way to repair the plasterboard so that I may re-drill and affix the radiator in the same place? If not, what other options exist?

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Kind Regards,

J
 
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See if there are studs in the wall, fix a suitably large piece of ply around the size of the rad firmly into the studs, then you can fix the radiator to the ply.
 
I would suggest moving the rad a bit higher or lower but you risk the same thing happening again if you use similar fixings in new holes.

Harry's suggestion would make sense but given that the radiator is below a window I suspect that you have dot and dab plasterboard.

I would be inclined to recommend the following

https://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-kkr-pa6-nylon-frame-fixings-8-x-100mm-12-pack/6939g

They will allow you to get a fitting into the external brickwork. I am assuming that you have brickwork on the external wall.

You will not be able to use the existing holes though. Just fill them. If you don't want to raise or lower the rad buy some timber the same width as the brackets and use the above fixings to screw the timber to the wall and then screw the brackets to that. IMPORTANT- if you do that, drill clearance holes in the timber to accept the bracket screws- you don't want to split the timber, additionally, you will need to countersink the frame fixings that I linked to. If you don't the bracket won't sit flush. Belt & braces- also use some Stixall (etc) to glue the timer to the plasterboard.
 
Hi,

Thank you for your responses. Would the plywood go over the existing plasterboard?

The playroom is on the second floor, so external wall is not brick. It is a loft conversion with tiles mounted vertically on the outside.

Kind Regards,

J
 
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You could also use 12 or 15mm MDF sheeting rather than ply so avoiding splinter edges. Tap the wall to locate where the studs are. You may find you have to extend the board beyond the radiator width before you find suitable fixing studs but once painted it'll not be so noticeable. When you fix the brackets to the sheeting use screws that are slightly longer than the backing sheet is thick to ensure they get full gripping power. You'll obviously have to cut out an inverted U-shaped window in the backing sheet to allow for where the heating pipes come through the wall.
 
get the kids to fix it.
It will be a learning experience for them too.
 
Jackrae said:
You may find you have to extend the board beyond the radiator width before you find suitable fixing studs but once painted it'll not be so noticeable.
Click to expand...

Erm it will be very noticeable. Sorry, but any one that walks into that room is gonna ask why there is a big lump of MDF sticking out of the edge of the radiator.

Sorry Jackrae but it doesn't strike me as being the most elegant solution. No offence intended though.d
 
opps said:
Erm it will be very noticeable. Sorry, but any one that walks into that room is gonna ask why there is a big lump of MDF sticking out of the edge of the radiator.

Sorry Jackrae but it doesn't strike me as being the most elegant solution. No offence intended though.d
Click to expand...
Spring loaded toggle fixings,,,bit of a prat on but sometimes do the trick
 
Firstly jc, I am quite astounded that anyone would fix a radiator to plasterboard but some doofer obviously has. Of course one can fix a radiator to a stud (plasterboard) wall but it should have been fixed to the timber "studs" then the kids would have been unable to rip it down. My solution would be to remove as much plasterboard as necessary (easily done with a stanley knife or cheap plasterboard saw) which will usually reveal where the nearest studs are. Then fix some addional timber in where necessary to match the positions of the radiator brackets. This will avoid needing to move the radiator and make it strong enough to resist kid attacks. Plasterboard and timber is cheap and easily cut to size when you get round to screwing fresh on to fill the hole(s) you have made and any small gaps at the edges can be trowelled over with a decent filler before re-painting. Or you can just leave it unpainted to remind the kids of their crime LOL. BTW use proper plasterboard screws when fixing the new piece(s) and not just any old screws or nails which come to hand. These are made to bury themselves in the plasterboard slightly so that you can paste some filler over them the rub down flat.
 
D

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