Curtain pole brackets on plasterboard

[Sir Bagalot]

Attached not long ago using plasterboard plugs. Some of the plugs had to have the ends snipped off due to a RSJ in the way. Pole is ~3 metres. Each bracket had tree screws. It's plasterboard, a small gap (1cm?) then wall, or in this case RSJ.

Person doesn't want a wooden batten.

It's started to come away from the wall now.

Solutions? Should I be using Grip-it type?

[AndyTR]

When I fitted our curtains I used a cobalt metal drill bit and screws into the RSJ. Small bit first to create a pilot hole, then larger bit to drill out. Oh and slow on the drill...bit of oil to cool helps also. Careful when putting the screw it, don't over tighten or you'll strip the thread.

[Peterpetrole]

AndyTR said:

When I fitted our curtains I used a cobalt metal drill bit and screws into the RSJ. Small bit first to create a pilot hole, then larger bit to drill out. Oh and slow on the drill...bit of oil to cool helps also. Careful when putting the screw it, don't over tighten or you'll strip the thread.

Blimey surprised you didnt weld it in for good measure

[AndyTR]

Peterpetrole said:

AndyTR said:

When I fitted our curtains I used a cobalt metal drill bit and screws into the RSJ. Small bit first to create a pilot hole, then larger bit to drill out. Oh and slow on the drill...bit of oil to cool helps also. Careful when putting the screw it, don't over tighten or you'll strip the thread.

Blimey surprised you didnt weld it in for good measure

Haha, it was either that or no curtains, the RSJ is right behind the plasterboard and any other solution would look rubbish.

[Simpo Two]

AndyTR said:

When I fitted our curtains I used a cobalt metal drill bit and screws into the RSJ. Small bit first to create a pilot hole, then larger bit to drill out. Oh and slow on the drill...bit of oil to cool helps also. Careful when putting the screw it, don't over tighten or you'll strip the thread.

That's what I did too. Except I used a Dormer drill just smaller than the screw so it would self-tap. Works perfectly if you get it right.

[wolfracesonic]

It’s unlikely to be an RSJ (10mm+ Webs), more likely a Catnic type, so drilling for self tappers isn’t the end of the world with a decent bit. I wouldn’t trust a grab adhesive tbh, that will only be as strong as the bond between emulsion and plasterboard, or the integrity of the plasterboard itself. I’m guessing the brackets hang down from the head of the window and not fixed to the face of the wall?

[Collectingbrass]

Depends how much work you want to do. It may be that there is a wooden batten in the wall already and it just needs finding, or you put one in grip filled to the catnic lintel and make good.

My favourite though is to put the two outer brackets on the wall at least 150mm away from the reveal, that should clear the lintel.

[Freakuk]

I've faced this exact same problem over and over in our house, we had blinds fitted throughout downstairs and when I've had to remove them for painting the walls the plasterboard has failed and I've had to get on with some repairs and standard RAWL plugs are too long as I hit RSJ's etc.

I found these earlier this year which is still a RAWL plug of sorts but shorter so fits in before hitting the RSJ, but has a neat hook that fits on the back of the plasterboard to add support, you simply drill the hole as normal in the plasterboard, hook the end in by hand and manipulate as best as you can then tap in with a hammer.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Suregrips-Small-Strong-Pl...