Wimpey NoFines Wall

[tina80]

Hi there,

I am attempting to fix a cooker hood to my kitchen wall, sounds simple but when you take into account that the walls are Wimpey NoFines then things are more complicated. (its either voids or pebbles)

I am considering using a chemical anchor to achieve this fixing and was wondering if anyone has knowledge of these products or has had sucessfull use of them on wimpey nofines. or at the very least if this is a good idea.

thank you very much

 

[tony1851]

With no-fines, you will find that the holes you drill for the fixings will end up a lot bigger than the drill-bit diameter.
Because of this, in these houses you are better using the two-part resin fixing, injecting the resin into the hole. As there may be large(ish) voids, it may take a lot to fill, so make sure you have enough of the stuff before you start. Also, use a slower-curing type if possible, to give yourself time to get the fixings in the right position. Can you make a timber template to temporarily hold the fixings in the correct position?
These houses usually have few defects when compared with other non-traditional houses but can be pigs to work on.

 

[tina80]

thank you very much for your very helpful response.

This has confirmed that i can get this done and thanks for the advice about the slower curing stuff as i was going to go for a quick cure.

I have another question if you don't mind concerning the fixings to use with a chemical anchor... Are the plastic raw plugs that came with my cooker hood likely to be suitable to use with the resin or should i purchase other fixings?

I love my no fines house, the only time i complain is when i have to do things with the external walls!

 

[tony1851]

The two-part resin fixing is generally intended for fixing bolts or lengths of threaded bar etc. If they have given you plastic plugs and screws for fixing the hood, it is probably not very heavy and bolts set into the resin might be overkill.
Consider this as an alternative method; once you've drilled the holes approximately in the position you need, why not just fill them completely with the resin so that it's flush with the wall surface. Then when it's cured, drill it in the right position with the correct bit size for your screws/plugs and fix in the usual way. In this way, what you would be doing is injecting resin into the first (probably oversized) hole you've drilled. This forms a dense mass which sets and binds into the open-textured concrete and gives a good fixing for your screws.

 

[tina80]

Thanks again, that is a brilliant alternative idea also solves the problem of slow curing as i will not have to support the fixings while it sets.

Now i can order the resin and get the job done, thanks again