Ethan Clarke
Plastic wall plugs are small plastic fittings that grip and hold screws when installed in hard walls. They are used to give screws a firm and strong hold when mounting objects onto brick, concrete, or plasterboard walls. Wall plugs are required for hollow walls like plasterboard, and solid walls such as brick or concrete. This guide will take you through the steps and tools required to fit plastic wall plugs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To give screws a firm and strong hold to mount objects on to brick, concrete, plasterboard or masonry walls |
| Wall plug type | Plastic |
| Wall plug shape | Bullet-shaped for solid walls; winged for hollow walls |
| Wall plug size | Depends on the drill bit used to create the hole |
| Drill bit size | Same diameter as the chosen wall plug |
| Screw size | A millimetre or two smaller than the drill bit |
| Wall type | Solid or hollow |
| Wall composition | Brick, concrete, plasterboard, masonry |
| Wall plug insertion | Should be a tight fit, but inserted with finger pressure; lightly tap with a hammer to level with the wall if necessary |
| Screw insertion | Drill the screw into the wall plug |
| Screw gauge | Depends on the weight of the object to be hung |
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What You'll Learn
Check for hidden pipes or cables
When fitting plastic wall plugs, it is crucial to check for hidden pipes or cables behind the walls to avoid causing damage or injuring yourself. Here are some detailed steps and tips to help you with this process:
Firstly, it is important to understand that hidden pipes and cables may not always be installed according to prescribed zones or regulations. Older homes may have pipes or cables in unexpected locations, such as running down the middle of a wall or puncturing through plastic into copper near rad valves.
To check for hidden pipes, you can use a cable and pipe locator or a metal detector. These tools can help detect the presence of metal pipes or cables. However, be aware that plastic pipes may not always be detected by these devices. If you suspect the presence of plastic pipes, try to gather information about the building or seek advice from professionals.
When using a detector, mark the areas that beep or flash with a pencil. This will help you identify the locations of hidden cables or pipes. You can also try mapping out the wires by moving the detector in small circles around the "beep" points. Additionally, pay attention to any signs, such as spongy wires or unusual drill feelings, that may indicate the presence of hidden cables or pipes.
In some cases, you may be able to visually identify the presence of pipes or cables. Look for any signs of wiring or pipes near the desired location. If you can't see any obvious signs, use your detector or seek advice from professionals before proceeding.
It is always better to be safe than sorry. If you are unsure or uncomfortable at any point during the process, don't hesitate to consult a professional or seek further advice. Your safety and the integrity of your home should be the top priorities.
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Choose the correct drill bit
Choosing the correct drill bit size is crucial for ensuring a secure and stable fixture. The right drill bit size depends on the wall plug and screw size, the wall material, and the type of anchor.
Firstly, the drill bit size should match the wall plug size. Wall plugs, also known as rawl plugs, are colour-coded by size, and the correct size is usually the diameter at the widest point of the plug's taper. The hole drilled should be slightly deeper than the wall plug length to allow space for debris.
Secondly, the screw diameter should be slightly less than the wall plug's diameter to ensure a snug fit. For example, a 5mm screw goes well with a 5.5 or 6mm wall plug. The wall plug packaging often provides this information.
Thirdly, the type of wall material and anchor influence the drill bit size. For plasterboard, a smaller drill bit is sufficient, while denser materials like concrete require more precision to prevent the plug from being too loose or tight. For toggle bolt drywall anchors, a larger drill bit is needed to accommodate the spring-loaded wings.
If you are unsure about the correct drill bit size, it is recommended to do a trial run on a similar material or inconspicuous area. Always use a detector to check for hidden cables and pipes before drilling to avoid any safety issues and costly repairs.
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Drill a hole
Drilling a hole is the first step in fitting a plastic wall plug. Before you start, check the wall for hidden pipes or cables. Use a detector to check for cables and pipes behind the area where you want to drill. If you're drilling into a plasterboard wall, check for timber studs. If you find a timber stud, you won't need a wall plug.
Mark the wall to indicate where you will drill. You can use a spirit level and/or tape measure to ensure the hole is straight. If you're drilling into a brick wall, set your drill to the hammer setting. Apply some tape to your drill bit to guide how deep you need to drill. The tape should indicate the length of the wall plug. Drill a little deeper than the length of the plug.
Hold the drill bit to the wall at a right angle and slowly drill a pilot hole. Drill slowly and carefully until the drill bit forms a shallow hole. Then, speed up and drill the rest of the way. You can vacuum out the hole, but this is usually unnecessary.
Check that the hole is clean and free of debris. If the hole is crumbly, you can pump some 'no nails' type adhesive into the hole and leave it to set for 24 hours before inserting the wall plug.
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Insert the wall plug
Now that you've drilled a hole, it's time to insert the wall plug. The wall plug should be a tight fit, but you should only need finger pressure to put it in. Push the wall plug into the hole with your fingers, as far as it will go. If the wall plug is not level with the wall, lightly tap it with a hammer to push it in further. If you're drilling into a plastered wall, make sure the entire length of the wall plug is inside the wall's main building material, such as brick, concrete, or block. This will relieve the plaster and the front face of the walling material from stress.
If you're drilling into a brick wall, you'll need to set your drill to its hammer setting. If you don't have much experience using a drill, you might find it easiest to get a neat, accurate result if you start drilling the hole without the hammer action turned on. You can tell if the hole is good when you drill it. If it drills cleanly and hard all the way, it's good to go. If the bit finishes wobbling, it means it hit a crumbly bit of wall or broke out of the edge of a brick. If this happens, you can improvise a 'chemical or resin' fixing by pumping some 'no nails' type adhesive into the hole, followed by the plug, and then push the plug into the correct depth and leave to set for 24 hours.
If you're using the wall plug to hang an item such as a clock or picture frame, remember not to drive the screw in all the way.
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Drill in the screw
Now that you've chosen the correct drill bit and prepared the hole, it's time to drill in the screw.
Before drilling in the screw, make sure you have the right screw for the wall plug. The screw gauge will depend on the weight of the object you wish to hang. As a general rule, the heavier the object, the larger the screw gauge you'll need. Check the manufacturer's instructions, if available, for advice on the proper screw gauge. The screw should be a millimetre or two smaller than the drill bit.
When you put a screw into a plastic wall plug, it acts as a wedge, pushing the two halves of the plug apart and filling the hole very tightly. Friction then holds everything in place.
To drill in the screw, position the item to be fixed over the hole and put the screw through it and into the plug. Twist the screw by hand until it bites. If you're using the wall plug to hang an item such as a clock or picture frame, remember not to drive the screw in all the way. You can also push the screw all the way through the item first, so you can easily get the pointy end of the screw into the plug.
If you're drilling multiple screws, repeat the process for each screw.
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Frequently asked questions
Wall plugs are small plastic fittings that grip and hold screws when installed in hard walls. They are used to attach things to brick, concrete, or plasterboard walls.
First, decide on the right placement for the wall plug, checking for hidden pipes or cables. Drill a hole in the wall using the correct drill bit. After drilling, make sure the hole is clean and debris-free. Insert the wall plug into the hole, using a hammer to level it with the wall if necessary. Drill the screw into the wall plug.
The type of wall plug you should use depends on the weight of the object you wish to hang. Heavier objects will require a larger screw gauge, which in turn will determine the correct wall plug. For solid walls, use standard bullet-shaped wall plugs, and for hollow walls, use wall plugs with wings.
