how can i attach pictures above light switches?

[Halloween Jack]

hi there,

we want to hang small ornaments and pictures in a few narrow stretches of wall, but a few of them are directly above light switches.

as i understand it the cables go vertically up from light switches. our walls are too tough for nails.

so is there a way to hang things in these places? they are all quite small and light.

cheers

 

[gday2uk]

Self adhesive hooks with a drop of Sticks Like Sh*t on the back. Leave 24 hours to set.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/22070...sives/High-Performance/Sticks-Like-Sh-t-290ml

 

[Bilioustrumpstaine]

Use a metal detector/cable sensor to locate exactly where the cable runs (It is not always dead centre to the switch) it may then be possible to fit a rawlplug and screw where you need it to be.

Or. Use 2 rawlplugs and screws and fit them either side of the cable thus allowing the picture to hang centrally with no danger of hitting the cable.

Sticky pads as suggested but depends how heavy the pictures are.The glue itself is not the problem the paint will often come away from the wall

 

[Symptoms]

jack - you wrote "... as i understand it the cables go vertically up from light switches." Usually they do but sometimes they don't ... they can go down or even horizontally THROUGH the wall (not along/across). So whip the switch-plate loose and see which way the cables enter the back box; this will give a decent indication of down/up/through.

 

[chappers]

these any use to you
http://www.perfectpicturecompany.com/Hard-wall-picture-hooks.htm

 

[Symptoms]

jack - those things chappers has suggested are brilliant. The prongs will penetrate the wall by about 8mm and are very easy to fix in position - even Mrs Symptoms is good at hammering them in. But do check the cable direction cos it's not unknown for the stuff to be buried shallow so maybe a slight off-set might work. Those hooks come in 3 different sizes I seem to remember.

 

[chappers]

do as symptoms suggested in his earlier post, not only will this give you an indication of cable direction , but also how deep the cables are and iff any capping has been used

 

[Halloween Jack]

great stuff, thanks everyone!

 

[Halloween Jack]

i will check out the cable direction. but for the ones that go straight up i'm just wondering which solution is the best for me.

the self adhesive hooks would work as the stuff i need to hang is light, but i think these things are often ugly plastic.

i could try the hard wall plugs but my walls are really tough, i've never managed to get a nail in.

the cable sensor sounds a good plan, how much would it cost me to get a reliable one?