Wall plugs

Hi, I'm having difficulty fitting a curtain cable up in my lounge. I bought a curtain cable, with brackets from ikea to hang some lightweight curtains. But each time I try to hang them the fittings come away from the wall. I've used several different types of plaster plugs now but every time they just pull through. It's obviously not the weight of the drapes, but I think it's because of the tension of the wire cable. The last time I managed to find a concrete lintel above the window, which I was able to drill into and attach two of the brackets. But the left hand one could only go into plasterboard, and again it just pulled through. The plasterboard seems to crumble quite easily you see. It's a new property, so I'm not sure if maybe it's the quality of the materials used, as I don't think it seems too much to ask to expect a lightweight curtain cable to stay up surely?

Any ideas? I would appreciate any advice anybody has. Is there anything I can buy to help the plugs stay secure in plasterboard? Has anyone else experienced similar problems with wire cable curtain rails?

Thanks

Unless you have a timber-framed house, there will be a block wall beind the plasterboard. Poke through the hole to see how big the gap is.

Then drill through and use a longer screw. The plastic plug has to go into the wall not the plasterboard.

If you need a hook for the wire, buy some vine eyes from a garden centre or DIY shop. These are available very long.

You could buy some "redi drivas" these are plasterboard specfic fixings (available in plastic or metal) and are very strong on dry lining (barrett homes type of houses) or plain plasterboard. It helps if you drill a 6mm hole first (stops plaster splitting) and then screw the fixing in. I use them all the time.

I'm a big fan of Interset fixings:

I often use redis too, can take a fair bit of weight and will be fine for your curtains. A hole, as mentioned is advisable, I dont bother with a 6mm drill though, just use a no2 pozi screwdriver and a whack !