Fit a retractable washing line to a rendered exterior wall

Mount a retractable washing line securely on an exterior wall, checking for hidden pipes and cables before drilling.

AB-01Plan the position and heightPick a spot roughly 1500mm to 1800mm up the wall, with the line running clear of paths, drains and downpipes when pulled out fully. Hold the bracket housing against the wall and check the string reaches your post or far wall bracket without snagging on gutters, plants or a boiler flue. Avoid fixing over or right next to the damp-proof course, which usually shows as a horizontal line in the brickwork about 150mm above ground level.

1 each · Tape measure

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1 each · Pencil

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AB-02Gather your tools and fixingsBuy a retractable washing line kit rated for outdoor use, plus fixings to suit a solid wall — the ones in the box are often too short or too light for render over block. Get a good-quality masonry drill bit sized to match your wall plugs, and stainless steel or zinc-plated screws so they don't rust and stain the render.

1 each · Retractable washing line kit (double arm)

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1 each · Masonry drill bit, 8mm

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1 pack of 10 · Heavy-duty wall plugs, 10mm x 60mm

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1 pack of 10 · Stainless steel screws, 6mm x 70mm

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1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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AB-03Check what's behind the renderTap the render gently across the fixing area with a knuckle or the handle of a screwdriver. A dull, hollow sound over a wide patch means the render has blown away from the wall behind and won't hold a fixing — move to a solid-sounding spot nearby. If the wall is a cavity wall (brick or block outer leaf with a gap behind), your fixings only need to grip the outer leaf; don't drill so deep that you punch through into the cavity.

AB-04Mark and mask the fixing pointsHold the bracket in place level with a spirit level and mark each screw hole through the fixing lugs with a pencil. Stick a small cross of masking tape over each mark first — this stops the drill bit skating on the smooth render surface when you start.

1 each · Spirit level

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1 roll · Masking tape

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AB-05Check for cables and pipes before you drillCables and pipes can run almost anywhere, including up to outdoor lights, sockets or a boiler flue near your fixing points. Run a detector over each marked spot, but don't trust it completely — detectors miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, or outside the usual safe zones, so still drill cautiously and stop the moment you feel any resistance or see dust that looks wrong. Find your stopcock now, usually under the kitchen sink, and check it turns freely so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt at all, switch off the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling near it.

AB-06Drill the fixing holesDrill through the render first on a slow speed without hammer action, to stop the render cracking or spalling around the hole. Once through the render, switch to hammer action for the brick or block behind, and drill to a depth of about 65mm — 5mm deeper than your plug length, so dust doesn't stop the plug seating fully. Repeat for each marked point, then blow or vacuum the dust out of every hole.

1 each · Safety glasses

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1 each · Dust mask

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AB-07Fit the plugs and bracketTap a heavy-duty wall plug into each hole until it's flush with the render. Hold the bracket up, line the lugs over the plugs, and drive the screws in fully with a screwdriver or drill on a low, controlled speed — don't overtighten, as this can crack render or crush a plastic plug. Check the bracket sits flat and doesn't rock; pack behind it with washers if the render surface is uneven.

4 each · Washers, 6mm

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AB-08Weatherproof the fixingsRun a small bead of exterior-grade sealant around the top edge of the bracket base plate and over each screw head. This stops rainwater tracking down the screws into the block behind the render, which can cause damp and rust over time.

1 tube · Exterior silicone sealant

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AB-09Test the line under loadPull the line out fully to its far post or wall fixing and check it runs smoothly without sagging at the bracket. Hang a full load of wet washing on it and check again after ten minutes — the bracket should stay solid with no movement or cracking sounds from the render.

AB-10Tidy upSweep up drilled dust and any render debris from the ground below. Wind the line fully back in when not in use, and check the fixings again after a few weeks of normal use, tightening the screws if needed.

1 each · Dustpan and brush

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