If you want to mount something to a wall, you may need to use a drywall anchor. Drywall anchors expand as you plug them in and strengthen the screw’s grip on the drywall.
What Does a Drywall Anchor Do?
A drywall anchor is an attachment with a hollow interior that holds a fastener in place. Once inserted into the wall, it expands the farther you insert a fastener, such as a nail or screw, into it to give it a wider area on the wall to hold on to firmly.
Because of this, you don’t have to worry about the two common problems people encounter when mounting heavy objects on drywall:
- Keeping screws in place
- Preventing drywall damage
Drywall is mostly made of gypsum, which is a very durable material but has some limitations to consider when you’re planning your DIY home improvement projects.
The first time I tried to hang a medium-sized painting on a wall, the nail fell out of the pilot hole and I had to catch the painting before it crashed to the floor. After a quick consultation with my father, he recommended getting some drywall anchors.
Keep reading if you want to find out how drywall anchors solve these problems.
Drywall Anchors Prevent Fasteners from Slipping Out
Even if a fastener, such as a screw or nail, fits perfectly into the pilot hole, it is at risk of slipping out of the wall once you hang a heavy item because the screw or nail is only holding on to a very small portion of the wall.
Just as the name suggests, a drywall anchor moors the fastener to the wall by latching on to it. A drywall anchor has a hollow interior that screws and nails can firmly grip as they are inserted.
After being plugged into a pilot hole, the drywall anchor’s hollow middle reinforces the connection between the fastener and the wall, allowing you to mount picture frames and storage units.
By giving a helping hand to the screw or nail, a drywall anchor wedges the fastener in place, even while balancing the weight of the heavy object.
Drywall anchors can be easily found in your local hardware store and come in different shapes and sizes. There is a variety of anchors that DIYers can choose from, including toggle anchors, self-drilling anchors, molly bolts, expansion anchors, and more.
I used a plastic drywall anchor, a very affordable option, to securely mount the medium-sized painting in my study, and it has stayed there for more than three years now.
Properly installing a drywall anchor gives it enough space to be securely attached to the wall, while also strengthening its hold to the fastener. Learn more about how to use and install drywall anchors in our handy guide.
Drywall Anchors Can Hold More Weight
Drywall can withstand the test of time but can only hold a limited amount of weight on its own before it cracks or crumbles.
For example, simply driving a fastener into a pilot hole to hang a wall shelf might seem fine, but over time, the pilot hole can elongate due to how heavy a wall shelf is.
As it turns into a large hole, your wall shelf could be dislodged the more the drywall weakens.
Aside from keeping fasteners in place, a drywall anchor enables drywall to hold more weight.
After a drywall anchor is plugged or screwed into the wall and a fastener is inserted, its hollow middle expands and widens the area that the fastener holds on to. As it distributes the heavy item’s weight to a larger area, it lessens the load that the drywall has to carry.
With the right type of drywall anchor, you can hang objects with different weight capacities, from wall shelves and large picture frames to curtain rods.
Plastic drywall anchors can be either hammered in or screwed in with a screwdriver or the appropriate drill bit, depending on the type you purchase.
Metal anchors, such as toggle bolts, expansion anchors, and molly bolts, expand differently and can hold a different amount of weight.
FAQs
How much weight can a drywall anchor hold?
Some drywall anchors can hold up to 100 pounds of weight. Each type of anchor has a different amount of weight it can hold so it is important for you to check the instructions in its packaging.
When should I use a drywall anchor?
Some factors to consider if you should use a drywall anchor include the heavy item’s weight, the location of the wall studs on the drywall, and the weight limit of the anchor.
How do drywall anchors work with screws?
A drywall anchor’s hollow middle grips the screw once it is plugged into the pilot hole. Different anchors are designed to be used with different fasteners, such as nails.
Hire a Home Improvement Pro
Choosing the right anchor, pre-drilling, and finishing DIY home improvement projects can be daunting for homeowners.
Need a handyman to do the heavy lifting for you? Home improvement pros can expertly use drywall anchors to mount wall decor, as well as hang curtain rods, and install range hoods.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled handymen and handywomen in seconds and leave the rest to us.
Additional Reading
Main Image Credit: Pexels
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