Fit a retractable washing line to an exterior brick wall

Fit a retractable washing line reel and anchor point to an exterior brick or block wall safely and securely.

AB-01Gather your tools and check the kitUnpack the retractable washing line kit and check it comes with a wall bracket, the reel unit, a fixing bolt or hook for the far anchor point, and screws. Get a drill with a masonry bit, a spirit level, a tape measure, a pencil, a stud/cable detector, safety glasses and a dust mask. Have a vacuum or dustpan ready for brick dust.

1 each · Retractable washing line kit

Buy:B&QAmazon

1 each · Masonry drill bit 8mm or 10mm (as specified by kit)

Buy:Tooled UpMachine MartB&QAmazon

1 each · Safety glasses

Buy:Tooled UpB&QAmazon

1 each · Dust mask

Buy:Tooled UpB&QAmazon

AB-02Choose and mark the fixing positionPick a spot at a comfortable height, usually 1.5m to 1.8m off the ground, close to the back door if you can. Check the line will run in a straight path to a far anchor point (a post, fence or second wall) with nothing in the way. Hold the bracket against the wall, use a spirit level to keep it straight, and mark the screw holes with a pencil.

AB-03Check for cables and pipes before you drillRun a cable and pipe detector over the marked area, but do not trust it completely — detectors miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, or outside the usual safe zones, so still treat the wall as if something could be there. This matters more on exterior walls, since outside lights, sockets and outdoor tap pipes often run up from below. 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, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling, and turn the water off at the stopcock before you start.

AB-04Drill and plug the fixing holesFor solid brick or block, drill straight and level to the depth given in the kit instructions, typically 55mm to 65mm. For a cavity wall with a brick outer leaf, check the fixing is long enough to bite into solid masonry and not just render — the kit's screws and plugs should be rated for exterior masonry use. Drill slowly, easing off if you hit something soft (a cable duct) or feel a sudden change in resistance, and stop immediately if you smell burning or see anything unusual. Push a wall plug fully into each hole so it sits flush with the brick face.

4 each · Masonry wall plugs (kit-supplied or matched to drill bit)

Buy:Tooled UpB&QAmazon

4 each · Exterior-grade screws (kit-supplied, rusted or stainless)

Buy:Travis PerkinsB&QAmazon

AB-05Fix the bracket to the wallScrew the bracket into the plugged holes, tightening evenly so it sits flat and doesn't rock. Check it's still level once fixed. Give it a firm tug to make sure it doesn't move — this bracket will take real pulling force every time the line is used, so it needs to be solid.

AB-06Fit the reel unit and check it operatesSlot or clip the reel unit onto the bracket as shown in the kit instructions. Pull the line out fully and let it retract a couple of times to check the reel spins smoothly and locks when you want it to.

AB-07Fix the far anchor point and attach the lineAt the far end, fix the hook or eye bolt into a fence post, wall or dedicated post using the same safe-drilling checks as before if it's masonry or a stud wall. Pull the line lines across and clip them onto the anchor point, keeping them level and evenly spaced.

1 each · Eye bolt or hook fixing (kit-supplied)

Buy:Travis PerkinsB&QAmazon

AB-08Test under load and adjust tensionHang a few damp towels or a full load of washing on the line to test it under real weight. Check the bracket and anchor point stay firm with no movement or creaking from the wall. Adjust the line tension using the reel's tensioner if it feels slack.

AB-09Weatherproof and tidy upRun a thin bead of exterior sealant around the top edge of the bracket where it meets the wall, to stop water tracking behind it. Sweep up any brick dust, and store leftover screws and plugs somewhere dry for future repairs.

1 each · Exterior-grade sealant (small tube)

Buy:Travis PerkinsB&QAmazon

Travis Perkins, Tooled Up and Machine Mart links are affiliate links: if you buy after clicking, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. B&Q and Amazon links are plain searches and earn us nothing.

Save this as a project

Back to all guides

Related guides