How to hang a picture on a plasterboard wall without a drill, by The DIY Doers on YouTube. 2 min 8 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 8 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Tap the wall. A hollow sound means plasterboard, a dull thud means a timber stud behind it. Over a stud, use a normal wood screw instead of a fixing.
Weigh your picture and buy self-drive plasterboard fixings rated above that weight. The pack states the load limit, so check it before you start.
Measure where the hanging wire sits when pulled tight, then mark that point on the wall with a pencil. Use a spirit level to get the mark straight.
Press a bradawl or small screwdriver into the mark and twist gently to make a starter hole through the paper only. Keep the hole narrow.
Push the point of the fixing into the hole and turn it clockwise with a screwdriver until the head sits flush with the wall. Do not force it.
Tug the fixing firmly towards you to test it. If it moves or spins, it is too loose, so move along the wall and fit a new one.
Screw a cup hook or picture hook into the fixing until it is tight, with the hook facing up.
Hang the picture, step back and check it with a spirit level. Bend the hook slightly if you need a small adjustment.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep fixings at least 10 cm from the edge and corners of the board, where plasterboard is weakest.
Use two hooks spaced apart for wide or heavy frames so the picture cannot swing and tilt.
Stand on a firm step stool rather than a chair, and keep one hand on the wall for balance.
Do not overtighten the hook, or you can crush the fixing and loosen it in the board.
Questions
Will this hold a heavy mirror?
Only up to the load limit printed on the fixing pack, and plasterboard fixings are usually rated for light to medium loads. For a heavy mirror, screw into a timber stud or use a specialist heavy-duty anchor.
What if I hit a timber stud?
Stop and use a plain wood screw instead. A stud gives a much stronger hold, so you do not need a plasterboard fixing at that spot.
How do I remove the fixing later?
Unscrew the hook, then turn the fixing anticlockwise while pulling gently outwards. Fill the small hole with ready-mixed filler and sand it smooth.
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.
