Fit a magnetic knife strip to a solid brick or block wall

Fit a magnetic knife strip safely and securely, checking for hidden pipes and cables before you drill.

MKS-01Gather tools and check the wallGet everything ready before you start: magnetic strip, screws, wall plugs, masonry drill bit, spirit level, pencil and dust sheet. Confirm the wall is solid brick or block, not stud or dot-and-dab, by tapping it or checking with a detector. Lay a dust sheet below the work area to catch brick dust.

1 each · Magnetic knife strip (with fixing screws)

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1 each · Dust sheet

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MKS-02Mark the position and heightHold the strip against the wall at a comfortable height, usually 450-600mm above the worktop. Use a spirit level to draw a level pencil line, then mark the screw hole positions through the strip's fixing holes or its template. Double-check the strip clears any wall units, tiles edges or the splashback above.

1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Pencil

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MKS-03Check for pipes and cables before you drillRun a cable and pipe detector over the marked points, but do not trust it completely — detectors can miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, or outside the normal safe zones near sockets and switches. Before drilling, find your stopcock (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, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling, especially near sockets or existing cable runs.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Part P of the Building Regulations covers notifiable electrical work in kitchens. Simple drilling near existing cables is not itself notifiable, but any new wiring or circuit alteration is and must follow Part P.

MKS-04Drill the fixing holes in the brick or blockFit a masonry bit sized to match your wall plugs, typically 6mm for standard plugs. Drill straight into the wall to a depth about 5mm deeper than the plug length, keeping the drill level and steady. If you hit tile, start at low speed without hammer action to avoid cracking it, then switch to hammer action once through the tile into the brick or block.

1 each · Masonry drill bit 6mm

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1 each · Drill

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MKS-05Insert wall plugsPush a wall plug into each drilled hole until it sits flush with the wall surface. If a plug feels loose, drill a fresh hole slightly deeper or use a slightly larger plug and bit size. Do not force an oversized plug in, as this can crack the brick face.

4 each · Wall plugs (Rawlplug), 6mm

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MKS-06Fix the strip to the wallHold the strip against the wall, lining up the screw holes with the plugs. Drive a screw into each plug by hand or with a screwdriver bit on low torque, tightening evenly so the strip does not tilt. Check the strip with the spirit level again once all screws are in.

4 each · Wood/masonry screws, 40mm

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MKS-07Test and tidy upHang a couple of kitchen knives on the strip to check it holds firmly with no wobble or give. Wipe away any brick dust from the wall and worktop below, and fold away the dust sheet. Store spare plugs and screws in case you need to adjust the strip later.

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