How to Hang a Heavy Mirror on Masonry | Ask This Old House, by This Old House on YouTube. 7 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Set up scaffolding or a stable platform so you can work at eye level with the wall above the mantle. Clear the floor around you before any drilling starts.
Measure the distance between the centres of the two hooks on the back of the mirror and write the number down. Measure from the bottom of the mirror up to the top of a hook too.
Measure the width of the chimney breast or wall and divide it in half to find the centre line. Mark it lightly in pencil.
Decide how high you want the bottom of the mirror above the mantle. From that point, measure up by the hook height and make your centre height mark.
Halve the hook spacing and mark one point on each side of the centre line at the same height. Check both marks are level before you drill.
Drill at each mark with a hammer drill and the correct size masonry bit. Start slowly, keep the bit straight and pull it out now and then to clear dust.
Slide a concrete anchor into each hole and tap it flush with a hammer. Do not force an anchor if it stops early, drill the hole slightly deeper instead.
Drive the screws into the anchors with a hand screwdriver, not a drill driver. Leave the screw heads out far enough for the mirror hooks to catch.
Lift the mirror with a helper and hook it onto both screws at once. Check it sits level and that both anchors feel solid before you let go.
Tips and common mistakes
Rent a hammer drill from a home centre or tool shop if you do not own one, a standard drill will not get through stone.
Masonry dust goes everywhere, so wear safety glasses and a dust mask and cover the mantle and hearth.
An impact driver can spin an anchor loose in the hole, so set the screws by hand.
Hold the mirror against the wall and mark through the hooks first if the back fixings are hard to measure.
Questions
What size drill bit do I need?
Use the bit size printed on the anchor packet. The anchor must match the weight of the mirror and the bit must match the anchor, so buy them together.
Can I hang a heavy mirror on plasterboard this way?
No. Concrete anchors need solid masonry. On plasterboard or lath and plaster, fix into studs or use a heavy duty hollow wall anchor rated for the weight.
How do I know the mirror is secure?
Give it a gentle pull at the top corners after hanging. If either anchor moves or the mirror rocks, take it down and reset the fixing.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
