Putting up a banister - Not sure on wall type?

Question

I am trying to replace the fittings that hold up my banister, the problem is i don't know what wall i have and so don't know if i need raw plugs or just a pilot hole. from the old holes i can see that it looks like chipboard but the older fittings had some hollow wall raw plugs, will this be enough or can i get away with a pilot hole?

Answer 1

A good guide would be to tap the wall if it sounds solid then it probably is, how ever if the old fittings were supported by hollow fixings and the wall sounds hollow it could well be plasterboard. to check it out use a fine screwdriver and push it into the wall, if it is plasterboard it will pass through the plasterboard before touching the brick/block work behind.

Hollow fixing may not be sturdy enough for hand rail support so try this method. First carefully mark one of the new metal fittings at the appropriate position and mark holes with a pencil. drill through the plasterboard then using a 5mm masonry bit drill into the brick/block work

Drill into the masonry about 50mm. using a long s***w gently twist a red rawl plug onto the end of the s***w so it doesn't fall off but not so much to expand the plug too much push through the plasterboard and gently tap into the masonry behind so it is about 10mm below the surface of the masonry. then using a hand s***w driver s***w the fitting in position using a no 8 long s***w, do not over tighten simply pull the fitting down tight to the plasterboard. You will be able to feel if you have achieved a good fixing, if so repeat the process with the other holes. You will probably need a hand to fix the rail as this can be an awkward job single handed. good luck PS you could always chance your luck and drill a pilot hole first you might just be lucky and get away with screws if it is some kind of wall board.

Answer 2

If in doubt use raw plugs