Hang a heavy picture or large canvas on a solid brick or block wall

Mark, drill and fix securely so your heavy picture or canvas hangs level and safe on a solid wall.

HP-01Work out the weight and pick your fixing pointsWeigh the picture or canvas if you can, or estimate it. Anything under 5kg needs one fixing; heavier or wider pieces need two, spaced apart to spread the load and stop it tipping forward. Check the back of the frame for hanging wire, D-rings or a solid batten, since this decides where your fixings need to line up.

1 each · Tape measure

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1 each · Pencil

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HP-02Confirm the wall is solid brick or blockTap the wall where you plan to fix. A dull, solid knock all over means solid masonry. If any part sounds hollow, or a test hole brings out white plasterboard dust instead of brick or block dust, stop — this guide is for solid masonry only, and stud or dot-and-dab walls need different fixings.

HP-03Check for cables and pipes, and know your shut-offs before you drillRun a cable and pipe detector over the whole area, both directions, then still treat the wall as if something could be there — detectors miss cables that are deep, in conduit, or outside the usual safe zones near sockets and switches. Find your stopcock now, usually under the kitchen sink, and check it turns freely so you can shut off water fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt about what's behind the wall, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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HP-04Mark your fixing points and check they're levelHold the picture up at the height you want, or measure down from a level line, and mark each fixing point with a pencil. Use a spirit level across both marks before drilling — even 5mm out over a wide frame will look crooked once it's hung.

1 each · Spirit level

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HP-05Drill the pilot holesFit a masonry bit matched to your plug size — 6mm for light to medium loads, 8mm for anything over about 10kg — and drill straight in, holding the drill level. Go to a depth of 40mm for a 6mm plug or 50mm for an 8mm plug, slightly deeper than the plug length to allow for dust in the hole. Pull the drill out every few seconds to clear dust and stop it overheating.

1 each · Drill

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1 each · Masonry drill bit, 6mm or 8mm

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HP-06Fit the wall plugsPush a wall plug into each hole until it's flush with the wall surface. It should sit snugly and not fall out — if it's loose, the hole is too big and you'll need a larger plug and a matching drill bit.

2 each · Wall plugs, 6mm (up to 10kg)

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2 each · Wall plugs, 8mm (10-20kg)

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HP-07Drive in the screws or hooksScrew in a No.8 x 40mm screw for lighter loads, or a No.10 x 50mm screw for heavier canvases, leaving 8-10mm of the screw head standing clear of the wall for the hanging wire or D-ring to sit on. For a picture hook, use one rated for the actual weight — a hook marked for 20kg will hold far more securely than a light-duty one under load.

2 each · Screws, No.8 x 40mm

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2 each · Screws, No.10 x 50mm

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1 each · Heavy-duty picture hook, rated 20kg

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HP-08Hang the picture and check it's levelLift the picture onto the screws or hooks and let it settle onto the wire or D-rings. Check it with a spirit level and nudge one side if needed. Give it a firm push from the front to make sure it doesn't shift or pull away from the wall.

HP-09Clear upVacuum up the masonry dust from the floor and skirting. Wipe any dust marks off the wall with a damp cloth. Put spare plugs and screws back in the tin for next time.

1 each · Vacuum cleaner

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1 each · Cloth

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