Put up a noticeboard or whiteboard on a solid brick or block wall
Mount a noticeboard or whiteboard level and secure on a solid wall, working safely from start to tidy-up.
NB-01Clear the area and gather your toolsMove furniture away from the wall and lay a dust sheet below your work area to catch brick dust. Get your drill, 6mm masonry bit, screwdriver, spirit level, pencil and tape measure together. Check the board's fixing holes or slots so you know what screw size and spacing you need.
NB-02Find your stopcock before you drillBefore drilling anything, find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns. This means if you ever hit a pipe, you can shut the water off straight away. This only takes a minute and it's worth doing every time you drill into a wall.
NB-03Mark the height and level lineDecide how high you want the board, then hold it against the wall or measure its width to work out where the fixings need to go. Use a spirit level to draw a level pencil line for the top edge. Mark the exact fixing points on the wall through the board's holes, or measure and mark them separately if the board has slots.
NB-04Check for pipes and cables at each markCables and pipes can run almost anywhere in a wall, not just in the usual safe zones. Run your detector over every mark, but still treat each hole as if something could be there. If you're at all unsure, isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before drilling, and remember your stopcock is ready if you hit water.
NB-05Drill and plug the fixing holesDrill each mark with a 6mm masonry bit, going about 5mm deeper than the length of your wall plug to leave room for dust. Blow or vacuum the dust out of the hole, then push a red plastic wall plug in flush with the wall. Repeat for every fixing point.
NB-06Fix the board to the wallLine the board's holes up with the plugged holes and drive a 40mm screw part-way into each one. Once all screws are started, tighten them fully so the board sits flat against the wall with no gap or wobble.
NB-07Check it's level and securePlace your spirit level along the top of the board to check it's straight. Give the board a firm push and pull to make sure it doesn't shift or feel loose. Adjust or retighten any screw that isn't sitting snugly.
NB-08Tidy upFold up the dust sheet with the brick dust inside and empty it into your bin. Wipe down the wall and floor with a damp cloth to catch any remaining dust. Put your tools away and move your furniture back.
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