Hang a wall clock on a metal stud wall

Check for hidden cables and pipes safely, then hang your wall clock securely and level in one session.

WC-01Gather your tools and materialsLay a dust sheet under the work area to catch drilling debris. You'll need a cable and pipe detector, a small magnet or stud detector, a drill with pilot bits, a screwdriver, a spirit level, a tape measure, a pencil and masking tape. Pick your fixing once you've confirmed the wall type in a later step.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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1 each · Magnet or stud detector

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1 each · Dust sheet

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1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Tape measure

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1 roll · Masking tape

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WC-02Mark where the clock will hangHold the clock against the wall, or measure up from the floor, to decide on a comfortable eye-level height. Mark the centre point where the hanging point will sit with a small pencil cross. Use the spirit level to check the mark lines up with anything else on the wall, like a shelf or picture rail.

WC-03Work out exactly what's behind the wallRun the magnet or detector along the wall near your mark. Metal stud screw heads show up as small magnetic points in a dead straight vertical line, roughly every 300-600mm. A duller, less regular response with a hollow knock between points usually means timber studs. Drill a small 2mm pilot hole at your mark: fine grey metal swarf means a metal stud, pale wood dust means a timber stud, and solid resistance with brick-coloured dust means masonry or a solid wall behind dot-and-dab. A slightly springy, uneven surface with an irregular hollow knock suggests lath and plaster, where the fixing method is different again.

1 each · Pilot drill bit, 2mm

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WC-04Check for cables and pipes before you drillCables and pipes can run almost anywhere in a wall, not just in the usual zones. Sweep the whole area with your detector, but don't trust it completely: detectors miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, behind metal-backed plasterboard, or confused by a metal stud frame. Before drilling, 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 at all, isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before drilling, and turn the water off at the stopcock before cutting into anything that could carry water.

WC-05Choose the right fixing for your wallA wall clock is light, usually under 1kg, so a heavy-duty fixing isn't needed. Into a metal stud, use a self-drilling metal-stud fixing screwed straight into the steel; never use a plain wall plug or ordinary wood screw, as both strip straight through 0.5mm steel. Into plasterboard between studs, use a self-drilling or spring toggle hollow-wall anchor rated for at least 5kg. Into a timber stud, a 40-50mm wood screw into the centre of the stud is plenty. Into solid brick or block, drill a 6mm hole 35-40mm deep, fit a matching wall plug and use a 40mm screw. Into dot-and-dab, use a fixing long enough to pass through the plasterboard and the dab, typically 50-70mm, and grip at least 25mm into the masonry behind. Into lath and plaster, use a spring toggle that spreads the load across the laths rather than a screw straight into one lath, which can crack the plaster.

1 pack · Self-drilling metal-stud fixing

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1 pack · Self-drilling or spring toggle, hollow-wall anchor

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1 each · Wood screw, 40mm

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1 pack · Wall plug and screw, 6mm/40mm

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1 each · Long fixing for dot-and-dab, 50-70mm

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WC-06Drill the hole and fit the fixingUse the drill bit size stated on your chosen fixing's packaging. Keep the drill level and steady, and drill only to the depth needed. Fit the fixing following the manufacturer's instructions on the pack. If you're screwing into a metal stud, don't overtighten; the steel is thin and can spin or strip if you force it.

WC-07Hang the clock and check it's levelHook the clock onto the fitted screw or fixing. Use the spirit level across the top or bottom edge of the clock face and adjust until it's straight. Gently tug the clock to check the fixing feels solid before you let go.

WC-08Tidy upRemove the dust sheet and shake off any debris outside. Vacuum any remaining dust from the floor and skirting, and wipe the wall clean with a damp cloth. Bind up the drilling waste with the packaging and put it in the bin.

1 each · Damp cloth

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