Fit a guitar wall hanger to a solid brick or block wall
Fit a guitar wall hanger to solid brick or block using plugs and screws, checking for cables and pipes first.
GH-01Choose the spot and gather your toolsHold the guitar (or hanger) against the wall at a comfortable height, usually around 1000-1200mm from the floor, and mark the fixing holes with a pencil. Check the spot isn't directly above a socket, switch or radiator pipe run. Get your masonry drill bit, wall plugs, screws, spirit level, dust sheet and vacuum ready before you start.
GH-02Confirm your wall is solid brick or blockTap the wall where you plan to drill. A solid, dull thud all over means brick or block behind plaster. If you hear a hollow sound, or a stud detector picks up timber or metal at regular spacings, you have a plasterboard stud wall or dot-and-dab, and this guide's fixings won't apply — you'd need a stud fixing or a longer screw through to the masonry instead. This job assumes solid masonry all the way through.
GH-03Check for cables and pipes, and know your stopcockRun a cable and pipe detector over the marked spot before you drill anything. Detectors miss things — deep cables, metal conduit, or pipes outside the usual safe zones near sockets and corners — so still drill carefully and be ready to stop. Find your stopcock now (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns, so you can shut off water fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt about what's behind the wall, isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.
GH-04Drill the pilot holesFit a 6mm masonry drill bit and set your drill to hammer mode if it has one. Drill straight into the marked spots to a depth of 45-50mm, keeping the drill level and square to the wall. Stop and pull the drill out every so often to clear dust, and stop immediately if you feel a sudden change in resistance or hit anything unexpected.
GH-05Fit the wall plugsPush a 6mm red wall plug into each hole until it's flush with the wall surface. If it won't go in easily, drill the hole a touch deeper rather than forcing it, as forcing can crack the plaster or block around the hole.
GH-06Screw in the hangerHold the guitar hanger against the wall, lined up with the plugged holes, and check it with the spirit level. Drive a 40mm screw into each plug, tightening until the hanger sits firm and doesn't wobble. Don't overtighten, as this can strip the plug in soft block.
GH-07Test the fixing and tidy upPull down firmly on the hanger to check it's solid before hanging the guitar. Vacuum up any brick or plaster dust and fold away the dust sheet. Hang the guitar and stand back to check it's level and at a comfortable height.