What kind of picture hooks go where?

One of the jobs I am often asked to 'add to the list' is the installation of picture hooks. A trip to the hardware leaves many a strong person weak with the stress of choosing. But fear not! I'll tell you my trade secrets.

GYPROCK (PLASTERBOARD/DRYWALL) - This stuff is basically thick cardboard so care must be taken when putting up a picture in Gyprock.  I use Wallmate Twist N Lock to create a good anchor in the soft plaster. There are lots of other systems, all trying to spread the load, but I often mangle the walls and stuff up the job, so Twist N Lock works best for me.

Into this anchor I screw a regular screw passed through a Ramset Heavy Duty Wallhook. These guys will hold up to 10kg (Thats nearly all pictures and small to medium sized mirrors).

Then the piccy is hung up and looks a million dollars.

SOLID WALLS (BRICK, CONCRETE) - Usually pretty solid but you can strike a soft layer of mortar. So the idea is to drill fairly deep (ie.40mm) with a masonry drill. Into this hole I tap some red spaghetti. No not the food, the plastic wall anchor stuff. When I'm offered pre-molded anchors i usually just chuck them away because my spaghetti is longer, thicker and works the same every time.

Then again I screw in a Wallhook as above. 

WHAT NOT TO DO.
A lot of my clients fall for the sticky plastic all-in-one wall hooks available now. And then they call me to fix the mess!

​The removable ones are OK (I guess) if you are scared the landlord will keep your bond. But if its your house, don't bother, unless you want your pictures crashing to the ground all the time. Like a lot of convenience products these guys just fail about 50% of the time OR they stick so tight you pull chunks of plaster out when you remove them.

The only time I go 'sticky' is with the two part 'velcro' type strips. These are good for very light and/or large piccys. Things that are mounted on polystyrene board for example. Also groups of pictures can be adjusted to line up.

So, theres a lifetime of picture hanging advice. If this all sounds a bit stressful, I'd be glad to help.
(But PLEASE make your picture hanging part of a longer list of jobs - that will keep me busy for a day or more.)

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