Fit a coat rack to a solid brick or block wall

Fit a coat rack securely to solid brick or block using the right plugs, screws and drill depth.

CR-01Confirm you've got solid brick or blockTap the wall firmly with a knuckle. Solid brick or block sounds dull and dense all over, not hollow. If you get a hollow sound and see a line of screw heads (skirting, socket plates), you've got a stud wall instead — this guide won't give the right fixings for that, so look up the stud wall version instead.

CR-02Decide on height and positionHold the coat rack against the wall at a comfortable height — around 1500-1700mm from the floor works for most adults. Check it clears any door swing and isn't directly above a radiator or skirting. Mark the centre point lightly in pencil.

1 each · Coat rack

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1 each · Tape measure

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1 each · Pencil

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CR-03Mark the fixing holes levelHold the rack in position and use a spirit level along its top edge to get it straight. Mark through each fixing hole onto the wall with a pencil. Double-check the marks are level before you drill — it's much easier to fix now than to re-drill later.

1 each · Spirit level

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CR-04Check for cables and pipes before you drillRun a detector over the marked spots, but don't rely on it completely — detectors miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, or outside the usual safe zones near sockets and switches. Find your stopcock now (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely, so you can shut off the water fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt at all about what's behind that wall, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before you drill.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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CR-05Drill the pilot holesUse a masonry drill bit matched to your wall plug size — typically 6mm for standard plugs. Drill straight and level, going about 5mm deeper than the plug length so dust doesn't stop it seating fully. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and hoover out each hole before moving on.

1 each · Masonry drill bit 6mm

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1 each · Safety glasses

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1 each · Dust mask

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CR-06Insert the wall plugsPush a wall plug into each hole until it's flush with the wall surface. If it doesn't go in easily, tap it gently with a hammer rather than forcing it, which can crack the masonry. Don't skip this step even if the screw seems to grip without one — plugs spread the load and stop the fixing pulling out.

4 each · Rawlplugs (red, 6mm)

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CR-07Screw the coat rack to the wallLine the rack up with the plugged holes and drive in the screws using a drill driver or screwdriver. Go slowly and stop once the rack is snug against the wall — overtightening can crack the plaster or strip the plug. Use screws at least 40-50mm long to get proper depth into the masonry.

4 each · Screws 4mm x 50mm

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1 each · Drill driver

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CR-08Check it's level and secureRun the spirit level along the rack again to confirm it's straight. Give it a firm tug and hang a coat on it to test the fixing holds under real weight. If anything feels loose, remove the screw, add a slightly larger plug, and refix.

CR-09Clear upHoover up masonry dust from the floor and skirting. Wipe the wall down with a damp cloth to remove any dust marks. Bin any offcuts and put your tools away.

1 each · Damp cloth

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