HANGING & WALL MOUNTING

Fit a picture hanging rail system to a solid brick or block wall

Mark a level line, fix picture rail track securely to solid brick or block walls, then hang pictures without cracking plaster or damaging the wall.

AB-01Plan the height and mark your level lineDecide how high you want the rail — traditional picture rail height is about 300mm below the ceiling, but many people fit it lower, level with the top of the doors (roughly 2000mm from the floor). Measure and mark this height at each end of the wall, then use a spirit level to draw one continuous pencil line all the way round the room. Mark fixing points along the line every 400-600mm, matching the spacing your rail system recommends, and always add a fixing close to each corner.
1 each · Spirit level
1 each · Tape measure
1 each · Pencil
AB-02Check for hidden cables and pipes before you drillRun a cable and pipe detector along your marked line before drilling any holes. Cables and pipes can run in unexpected places, and a detector won't catch everything — deep cables, metal conduit, or anything outside the usual safe zones can be missed. Find your stopcock now, usually under the kitchen sink, and check it turns freely so you can shut the water off fast if you ever hit a pipe. If you're at all unsure what's behind the wall, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling, and turn off the water at the stopcock before cutting into anything that could carry it.
1 each · Cable and pipe detector
AB-03Confirm you're fixing into solid brick or block, and check for mixed wallsTap the wall along your marked line. Solid brick or block sounds dense and solid, with no hollow echo — typical of older external walls and load-bearing internal walls. If your rail run turns a corner onto a partition wall, that wall may be timber or metal stud instead, so check it separately: track a magnet or stud detector along a vertical line of screw heads to find the studs, listen for the hollow sound between them, and drill a tiny pilot hole — timber dust means a timber stud, fine grey swarf means a metal stud. Get this right, because the correct fixing is completely different for each.
AB-04Drill and fix into solid brick or blockUsing a masonry drill bit, drill each marked point to the depth needed for your plug — typically 45-50mm for a standard wall plug and screw. Push a plug into each hole so it sits flush with the wall, then screw the rail brackets straight into the plugs, checking each one is tight and doesn't spin freely. Wipe away brick dust as you go so it doesn't get ground into the wall surface.
1 each · Masonry drill bit, 6mm
12 each · Wall plugs, 6mm x 30mm
6 each · Picture rail brackets
12 each · Screws, 4mm x 50mm
AB-05Use the right fixing if the rail continues onto a different wall typeIf part of your rail run lands on a timber stud, use an ordinary wood screw driven into the centre of the stud — no plug needed. On a metal stud, use a proper self-drilling metal-stud fixing or toggle-type hollow-wall anchor; never use a plain plastic wall plug or a wood screw, as both strip straight through 0.5mm steel. If a fixing point falls on plasterboard between studs, use a toggle or hollow-wall anchor rated for the weight of the rail and pictures, not just a picture hook. On dot-and-dab plasterboard, use a fixing long enough to pass through the void behind and grip the masonry, not just the plasterboard skin. On lath and plaster, find a timber lath or noggin first, then use a fine screw with a pilot hole to avoid cracking the old plaster.
4 each · Self-drilling metal-stud fixing
4 each · Toggle-type hollow-wall anchor
4 each · Long fixing for dot-and-dab, 75mm
AB-06Fit the rail sections along your marked lineOffer up each length of rail track to the wall, aligning it with your pencil line, and screw it to the brackets you've already fixed. Work along the wall one section at a time, checking with the spirit level as you go, and join lengths using the connector pieces supplied with the system.
8 metre · Picture rail track
2 each · Track connector joiners
AB-07Fit corner pieces and end capsAt internal and external corners, fit the corner connectors supplied with your rail system rather than trying to cut a mitred joint — they're designed to keep the track continuous around the room. Finish any exposed ends with the end caps provided so the track doesn't leave a sharp edge.
4 each · Corner connectors
2 each · End caps
AB-08Hang your picturesClip the hanging hooks over the top of the rail and let them settle into place — most systems use a simple J-hook or gripper design. Attach the cable or cord to your picture's fittings, then hook it onto the rail and slide it along to position it exactly where you want.
4 each · Rail hooks
2 each · Picture hanging cord
AB-09Clear up and check everything's secureVacuum up any dust or debris from drilling, and wipe down the wall and skirting. Give each bracket and hook a final tug to check it's holding firmly before you leave heavier pictures hanging overnight.
1 each · Cleaning cloth

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