Plasterboard fixing not held and left with a big gap

[johnagall]

I'm a terrible DIYer if i'm honest and on trying to fit a curtain holder to the (plasterboard) wall I was recommended the following fixing

http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/hardware...lplug-Metal-Self-Drill-07105-One-Size-9281500

It worked fine for a while but it seems that one of the fixings has come loose and despite my efforts to tighten it up it returns to its loose state after a few days



Should I try filling this (huge) hole and raising the holder up a few inches with a different fixing?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Burnerman]

Dreadful things those.....if you are relying on a fixing to plasterboard alone, hollow wall anchors are good, and great with the setting tool (Screwfix 99201 and 92462). Other methods are possible, depending on how big the gap is behind the plasterboard.
John

 

[JohnD]

is that picture of a wall or a ceiling?

plasterboard is not a strong material. What's behind it?

 

[johnagall]

It's the wall near the window. Not sure what's behind it to be honest.

 

[JohnD]

Well I think you need to find out and put your fixing into it.

Quite likely there is a brick or block wall, or a sturdy piece of timber, that you can screw into.

If you stand back and take a wider photo we may have a better idea.

 

[foxhole]

Are you sure it's a plasterboard wall, looks too uneven, more like plaster on blockwork. [in which case fixing was inappropriate.]

 

[johnagall]

I'm not totally sure to be honest.

Here's a picture of the wider angle if it helps

 

[Burnerman]

We can't really say if its a plaster or plaster boarded wall really.....if you can feel any gap behind the old, failed fixing then it boarded.
You could try drilling a deeper (50mm) hole and see if you reach solid material - and then use a long 6mm plastic plug.
John

 

[JohnD]

if you tap the wall with your knucles, does it sound hollow?

knock some other walls to tell the difference.

Is the outside of the wall made of bricks? What age is the wall?

 

[johnagall]

It isn't hollow actually it sounds firm but not brick. It almost sounds tinny when I tap it.

Wall is 4 years old and outside is brick

 

[JohnD]

then drill through it until you hit brick or something. You may need a long plasplug and screw. Plaster and plasterboard have very little strength. the plasplug and the screw must go at least an inch into solid brick or block, so must be long enough to reach.l

If you find a problem, such as crumbly brick or having to go deep, come back.

 

[johnagall]

Well I'm back all be it later than planned.

So I'm now left with two huge holes about 15mm in diameter:


host images

Beyond the plaster there is a void of about 10mm and then there is block.

I'm planning on filling these holes and drilling about 20-30mm higher afresh.

Its much deeper than I've done before so would appreciate any adice on deep plugs and suitable screws

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Beyond the plaster there is a void of about 10mm and then there is block.

I'm planning on filling these holes and drilling about 20-30mm higher afresh.

Its much deeper than I've done before so would appreciate any adice on deep plugs and suitable screws

Sounds like you've goyt dot and dab walls, i.e "dabs" or splodges of plasterboard adhesive and applied to the masonry wall at intervals ("dotted") and the boards just pushed-onto them and left to set. Once the adhesive has set the PBs vcan be skimmed or otrherwise finished. I juts tackle these by drilling a 7mm hole through the PB and into the masonry behind and then inserting a brown plug on the end of a long screw - something like a #10 x 3in (5.0 x 75mm) should do the trick. Make sure your hole is deep enough, though!

 

[johnagall]

As I knew I had to fill this I just went hell for leather and drilled deep into the block.

I've found some really long screws in my box and pushed some medium strength plugs into the block.

I've just tightened the bracket up and it feels solid. To be honest the huge holes aren't as much a problem as I thought. Just a bit of filler around the bracket and all should be fine.