Plasterboard Nightmare

[Marakith]

Hello

I've just moved into a new place, built in 1924.

I need to mount some IKEA floating shelves onto a plasterboard wall. Due to the required positioning of the shelves, I can't use the studs and so I have had to use special fixings for the plasterboard.

I picked this type of fixing:

All was going well - I'd marked out everything. I'd drilled 3mm pilot holes. Then the plugs just self tap in with a screwdriver. Some kept on turning once flush with the wall, which was very worrying. Then, when screwing the floating shelf bracket to the fixing, the wall site just crumbled: the fixings kept on tapping into the wall.

Now I have no confidence that the fixings are secure and I don't want to mount the shelf. I also have a wall that looks awful. Any idea what I've done wrong?

Thanks!

 

[Marakith]

Those arn't really suitable for where there is going to be much of a load, there are other types of fixing that are more suitable. As to the whirlybird screwing itself further into the wall when you fix into it, that can happen when the plasterboard is crumbly i.e. if its old, damp or close to the edge. You say the place was built in 1924, is this an original wall? because plasterboard wansn't round back then, and if its lath and plaster the fixings above are definatly not suitable

Thanks for coming back so fast.

Ah. That's the problem, then. I'm pretty sure it's the original wall.

I think I'll repair the site somehow: repaint and forget the whole idea - what do you think?

 

[Marakith]

Thanks for the replies, all. Yep - prior to the job I compared the various fixing available. Gripit looked really good but the holes I have to drill for the shelf bracket are too close together.

For info the fixings I used were these: http://www.fischer.co.uk/Home/tabid...tegory-1001002082/usetemplate-productdetails/

I've decided to undo the mistake entirely - I'm filling the holes right now. It's my toddler's room and I don't want an unstable shelf in the room.

Perhaps when we renovate the bathroom (the room next door), we'll put a solid wall in. For now we'll use it as a mural space!

 

[Marakith]

Great insights! Thanks!