Anyone any experience fastening to Thermalite blocks
Discussion
I will start off by saying they are the devil brick / block.
I'm wanting to hang my TV on the wall, install some sunken sockets, etc but i'll be going into Thermalite blocks which from a bit of past experience trying to put any type of weight to them has proven tricky because if you add a red or brown plug the brick just disintegrates and you don't get any grip hold on them.
Has anyone any experience drilling and fixing to them and what plugs or something else they used to get a grip?
Thanks!
I'm wanting to hang my TV on the wall, install some sunken sockets, etc but i'll be going into Thermalite blocks which from a bit of past experience trying to put any type of weight to them has proven tricky because if you add a red or brown plug the brick just disintegrates and you don't get any grip hold on them.
Has anyone any experience drilling and fixing to them and what plugs or something else they used to get a grip?
Thanks!
Never had a problem with just normal wall plugs to be honest. Not sure what you have been doing? Make sure you drill the right size hole, red 5.5mm and brown 7mm.
Now trying to get a fixing in something like old Norfolk red bricks, is another story. They are really soft and have small bits of flint in them that deflect the dill bit. Drilling a 5.5mm hole can end up being 10mm.
Now trying to get a fixing in something like old Norfolk red bricks, is another story. They are really soft and have small bits of flint in them that deflect the dill bit. Drilling a 5.5mm hole can end up being 10mm.
xstian said:
Never had a problem with just normal wall plugs to be honest. Not sure what you have been doing? Make sure you drill the right size hole, red 5.5mm and brown 7mm.
Now trying to get a fixing in something like old Norfolk red bricks, is another story. They are really soft and have small bits of flint in them that deflect the dill bit. Drilling a 5.5mm hole can end up being 10mm.
Are you sure you don't have normal breeze blocks? Thermalite blocks are extremely brittal is the issue. I will drill a 5.5 hole put a 6mm plug in and when i screw it the plug just cuts through the block there's no resistance from block for the plug to grip to so you end up being able to pull the plug & screw out with your hand giving me no confidence it can hold anything heavy. Now trying to get a fixing in something like old Norfolk red bricks, is another story. They are really soft and have small bits of flint in them that deflect the dill bit. Drilling a 5.5mm hole can end up being 10mm.
Have a look at Rigifix fixings:
http://deltaleigh.co.uk/products/rigifix/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rigifix-M6-Anchor-Fixings...
http://deltaleigh.co.uk/products/rigifix/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rigifix-M6-Anchor-Fixings...
richatnort said:
xstian said:
Never had a problem with just normal wall plugs to be honest. Not sure what you have been doing? Make sure you drill the right size hole, red 5.5mm and brown 7mm.
Now trying to get a fixing in something like old Norfolk red bricks, is another story. They are really soft and have small bits of flint in them that deflect the dill bit. Drilling a 5.5mm hole can end up being 10mm.
Are you sure you don't have normal breeze blocks? Thermalite blocks are extremely brittal is the issue. I will drill a 5.5 hole put a 6mm plug in and when i screw it the plug just cuts through the block there's no resistance from block for the plug to grip to so you end up being able to pull the plug & screw out with your hand giving me no confidence it can hold anything heavy. Now trying to get a fixing in something like old Norfolk red bricks, is another story. They are really soft and have small bits of flint in them that deflect the dill bit. Drilling a 5.5mm hole can end up being 10mm.
https://www.jewson.co.uk/building-materials/bricks...
I wouldn't describe them as brittal. They are soft and easy to cut, but honestly getting a fixing in them is easy. As a trade, I have fitted literally millions of fixings in them and never had a problem. Off hammer is probably a tighter fixing, but honestly off or on hammer is fine.
Maybe i'm having some bad experience with them.
I've bought some of these as they seem to hold pretty well according to youtube.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B072JYXJL6/ref...
I've bought some of these as they seem to hold pretty well according to youtube.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B072JYXJL6/ref...
My usual method these days for anything that's soft, crumbly or loose is to make the hole, clean the dust out, squirt some water into it, then push a plug into it with Gorilla Glue on it and especially a blob on the end.
A load of excess foam might come out as it cures, though starting a screw slightly into the plug tends to block most of it. The rest will fill any voids. Any excess can just be trimmed off.
Works pretty well, especially if you're fixing something that's pulled out and ruined the hole.
A load of excess foam might come out as it cures, though starting a screw slightly into the plug tends to block most of it. The rest will fill any voids. Any excess can just be trimmed off.
Works pretty well, especially if you're fixing something that's pulled out and ruined the hole.
Concrete anchors, with the T30 heads. I use loads of these. They’re great for thermalite, I usually drill about 15mm into the block as a guide hole then impact the fixing straight in. You only really get one shot. So make sure it’s right and use something like a 90mm anchor. It won’t go anywhere.
Another vote for Rigifix. These are excellent: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rigifix-M6-Anchor-Fixings...
The description and reviews specifically mention Thermalite too. Worth remembering that your tv weighs nothing like as much as your radiators, so don’t worry unnecessarily.
The description and reviews specifically mention Thermalite too. Worth remembering that your tv weighs nothing like as much as your radiators, so don’t worry unnecessarily.
Edited by Risotto on Saturday 20th February 18:57
My house was built in the 60s and is constructed from Thermalite blocks.
As others have said, turn the hammer action off and chill out when drilling - where the wall isn’t already plastered, I use wood bits rather than masonry.
I don’t have an issue hanging heavy things off Thermalite, though I do always err on the side of caution and update the rating of the plugs. I often use Rawl Uno.
I have some dot and dab walls over regular concrete blocks - I use Corefix on those and have super heavy Vitsoe cabinets and shelves. Corefix also do a plug for Thermalite style blocks. For a TV I would (and probably will) use these (even though the wall is just plastered).
As others have said, turn the hammer action off and chill out when drilling - where the wall isn’t already plastered, I use wood bits rather than masonry.
I don’t have an issue hanging heavy things off Thermalite, though I do always err on the side of caution and update the rating of the plugs. I often use Rawl Uno.
I have some dot and dab walls over regular concrete blocks - I use Corefix on those and have super heavy Vitsoe cabinets and shelves. Corefix also do a plug for Thermalite style blocks. For a TV I would (and probably will) use these (even though the wall is just plastered).
richatnort said:
I will start off by saying they are the devil brick / block.
I'm wanting to hang my TV on the wall, install some sunken sockets, etc but i'll be going into Thermalite blocks which from a bit of past experience trying to put any type of weight to them has proven tricky because if you add a red or brown plug the brick just disintegrates and you don't get any grip hold on them.
Has anyone any experience drilling and fixing to them and what plugs or something else they used to get a grip?
Thanks!
Exactly this! They also have a special "cone drill bit" where it hollows out more of the block... Then chemical bond a threaded rod in. Use nuts to secure the bracket into place. I'm wanting to hang my TV on the wall, install some sunken sockets, etc but i'll be going into Thermalite blocks which from a bit of past experience trying to put any type of weight to them has proven tricky because if you add a red or brown plug the brick just disintegrates and you don't get any grip hold on them.
Has anyone any experience drilling and fixing to them and what plugs or something else they used to get a grip?
Thanks!
Gotta do it right first time, it's incredibly strong!
Held my 55" on a 500mm extended arm for 5 years.
Edit: as for the sockets, just use a multi cutter to cut out & channel the plasterboard then screw them directly flat against blocks.
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