Screw holes too big and shallow + cracked plaster

[AEWood]

Hi,

First post and a bit of help for a beginner please!

I put up a blackout blind in my sons bedroom about a year ago which has held ok until now when it has fallen down.

The hole that was drilled is quite shallow as I seem to be encountering metal framing around the window so cannot drill any deeper.

The fixing I tried has fallen out and had to be replaced a few times recently and I'm now left with a large, shallow hole in the window frame that I can't find a large (and short) enough wall plug to screw into for a tight fix.

On top of that, the plaster I was drilling and screwing into has now cracked due to either being old or my messing around.

What could I do to rectify this other than plastering over the frame and starting again?

I've attached a photo of the problem I'm having. Not a major one but I could do with some advice.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[DaveHerns]

No photo attached!

 

[AEWood]

DIY

• AEWood
• 8 Feb 2017

Window frame with shallow large holes and cracked plaster

 

[Burnerman]

There's a reasonable chance you have hit a lintel, steel reinforcement or other such nasties up there.....not uncommon!
Consider cutting some 20mm thick timber, cutting it tightly to length and then fitting it to the window head? A combination of plaster fixings and some solvent No Nails adhesive should sort it. Best to brace the timber from below with a couple of offcuts as the adhesive dries.
John

 

[Doggit]

It's also possible that you're hitting the stones in the reinforced concrete lintel, and you'd need to use an SDS drill to go any deeper; hammer drills will only go in a short way. You'll need to widen the cracks to get the filler to hold.

 

[foxhole]

You have drilled too close to the edge, it will always cause breakout and not hold anything securely.
A timber in there as suggested if you need to be that close to the edge.

 

[JohnD]

some blinds come with an L-shaped bracket, enabling you to screw it to the side of the reveal. Measurement of the fit is important, you might have to use some kind of spacer or block if it is a fraction narrow. If it is too wide it will not go in at all.

 

[AEWood]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated.