Chandelier hanging problem.

[Insertusername]

Hi guys,

I was just after some opinions, about 4 months ago I hung a lightweight plastic chandelier in the dining room, and yesterday it came down. It had been plugged into the joist using the supplied anchors which looked like these:

http://t2.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/00/39/49/400_F_394957_AV9tP4wS7deWBL0stP4568VI6T80O3.jpg

Okay, now perhaps it may have been a better idea to just screw straight into the joists without the anchors, but upon inspection it appears the anchors had snapped.

Is it my fault this came down or a manufacturing problem? Did I install it incorrectly?

Thank you for any help.

 

[diyer56]

The anchors in the link are for fixing into plasterboard. I am assuming the stress of boring them into the wooden joists has weakened the fixing and this is what caused them to snap/break.

I would re-fix directly into the joist. You will need to relocate the fitting so that it doesn't screw into the now enlarged holes in the joist. If you cannot relocate the fixing you could plug the oversized holes with a wooden dowel and then use the fixing screws into the dowel?

 

[Insertusername]

I drilled a pilot hole first and then put the anchors in. The thing is its a 10ft ceiling and the chandelier was completely destroyed. That's why I needed to know if this was my fault or a manufacturing problem.

Thanks for the help so far

 

[Ahtyrrell]

As above, those fixings are for plaster board and should not be used in wood so unfortunately your goanna have to pay for this one

 

[JohnW2]

I drilled a pilot hole first and then put the anchors in. The thing is its a 10ft ceiling and the chandelier was completely destroyed. That's why I needed to know if this was my fault or a manufacturing problem.

I suspect you drilled pilot holes which were far too big. Although the fixings are, as you've been told, designed to be used only with plasterboard, if you'd drilled a pilot size which was just the size of the central 'core' of the fixing (and then managed to screw the fixing into the wood), then I would have rather expected it to give at least a strong a fixing in wood as in plasterboard. So I fear that is was probably 'doubly' your fault - firstly for using a fixing not designed for wood and, secondly, for drilling pilot holes which were probably too large. If the instructions failed to make it clear that the fixings were only for use in plasterboard, then you might be able to blame the manufacturer - otherwise I think it's probably down to you!

Kind Regards, John

 

[Insertusername]

Ok thanks guys, it appears this one's on me...balls. Oh well what you gunna' do, live and learn eh? Haha

 

[securespark]

it appears this one's on me...balls

That's triple bad luck if the light fitting landed there...

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Oh well what you gunna' do, live and learn eh? Haha

There are cheaper and more structured ways to learn....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=diy+manual

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Don't like to sound repetitive but these type of fixing are designed for plasterboard not joists, are you sure you drilled in to the joist and not the lath of lath and plaster ceiling, as that can make one hell of a mess and these fittings will not take to lath and plaster well, as stated designed for plasterboard.
I suggest you locate the joist and create a secure fixing to that or if there is access above to the ceiling void, introduce some timbers to take the fitting.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If you cannot relocate the fixing you could plug the oversized holes with a wooden dowel and then use the fixing screws into the dowel?

Gluing the dowels in would probably be a good idea.

 

[diyer56]

If you cannot relocate the fixing you could plug the oversized holes with a wooden dowel and then use the fixing screws into the dowel?

Gluing the dowels in would probably be a good idea.

True, or use oversize dowels and hammer them into the hole. The new screw would also serve to expand the dowel.

 

[viewer]

Can't help but think of Del boy and the chandelier sketch.