Fit a wall-mounted shoe rack to a solid brick or block wall

Fit a wall-mounted shoe rack safely in one session, checking for hidden pipes and cables before you drill.

SR-01Clear the area and gather your toolsMove furniture and clutter away from the wall so you have room to work. Lay a dust sheet under the fixing area to catch masonry dust. Check the shoe rack's fixing points and note how many holes you need to drill and how far apart they are.

1 each · Dust sheet

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1 each · Shoe rack (with fixing brackets)

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SR-02Mark the fixing positionsHold the rack or its bracket against the wall at the height you want and use a spirit level to get it dead level. Mark each screw hole position with a pencil. Double-check the wall is solid brick or block, not a dot-and-dab plasterboard skin, by tapping across it — a solid, dull sound confirms masonry underneath.

1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Pencil

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1 each · Tape measure

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SR-03Check for pipes and cables, and know how to isolate themRun a cable and pipe detector over each marked spot before you drill. Detectors can miss things, so still drill carefully and stop at once if you feel resistance change or see dust that looks odd. Find your stopcock (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 about what is behind the wall, turn the relevant circuit off at the consumer unit before you drill.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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SR-04Drill the pilot holesFit a masonry drill bit matching the size of your wall plugs (commonly 6mm or 7mm) and set the drill to hammer mode. Wrap a piece of tape around the bit at the correct depth — usually 5mm deeper than the plug length — so you don't drill too far. Drill each marked point steadily, easing off if you hit an unusually hard or soft patch.

1 each · Masonry drill bit (6mm or 7mm)

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1 each · Drill (hammer function)

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1 each · Safety glasses

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SR-05Insert the wall plugsBlow or vacuum the dust out of each hole so the plug seats properly. Push a wall plug into each hole flush with the wall surface, tapping it gently with a hammer if needed. Choose a plug and screw size to suit the weight of the loaded rack — a standard Rawlplug with a 40-50mm screw is usually enough for a shoe rack.

6 each · Rawlplug wall plugs

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1 each · Small vacuum or brush

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SR-06Screw the rack to the wallLine the rack or bracket up with the plugged holes and drive in the screws until firm — don't overtighten, as this can crack the plug or the rack. Check the rack is level again once fixed. If the rack came in two parts, fit the wall bracket first, then hang or clip the rack onto it.

6 each · Screws (40-50mm, size to suit rack)

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1 each · Screwdriver or drill driver

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SR-07Test the fixing and load it graduallyPull down and outward on the rack firmly to check it holds before loading it with shoes. Add weight gradually over the first few uses rather than loading it fully straight away. If any fixing feels loose, remove it, refit a larger plug and screw, and try again.

SR-08Clean upVacuum up all masonry dust from the floor and skirting. Fold away the dust sheet and dispose of the packaging. Wipe down the rack before use.

1 each · Vacuum cleaner

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