Handyman in Victoria: Hang Heavy Objects on Walls Like a Pro With These Tips

Perhaps you’re remodelling your home or redecorating for an upcoming season. There are many home projects that are compatible with the DIY approach: Painting your walls, hanging a few pictures, or selecting new furniture to match your decor. Hanging heavy objects, though, must be done with care as you might deal with physical injuries and residential damage if you go in unprepared.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to accomplish the feat of hanging a heavy wall object with the right tools and the correct mindset. Learn more about how to hang heavy objects like a professional and get in touch with a handyman in Victoria B.C. if you need help!

Why Should I Be Careful When Hanging Heavy Objects?

Unless you’re a professional or have extensive knowledge of how to lift safely, hanging heavy objects can endanger your physical health. Consider the following issues and injuries you may sustain even when you’re strong enough to lift the object by yourself:

• Back pain from a muscle strain or a slipped disc

• Musculoskeletal injuries such as torn tendons or muscles

• Knee problems from balancing the weight with the wrong part of your body

• Foot, ankle, and toe injuries from dropping heavy objects

3 Tips for Hanging Heavy Objects on Walls

If you insist on hanging your object without the help of a licensed carpenter in Victoria, ensure that you have the right tools to do the job correctly and with minimal risk to your body. Below are three tips for successfully hanging your own heavy objects.

1. Learn About Your Walls

Your wall type will determine your first steps. If you can stick a pushpin into your wall to hang a poster, it’s likely made of drywall. Plaster is harder and more durable. It’ll be obvious if you’ve got a masonry wall (made of traditional “outdoor” materials like brick). Walls like this, or hollow-core ones made of thin concrete will pose an obvious challenge to a DIY enthusiast.

If you’ve determined that you have drywall, the best option is to use a stud finder to locate a stud — a thick, heavy beam within the drywall — that anchors the wall in place. Because drywall is soft, hanging a heavy object may cause it to fall or break apart. Using a plastic plug on brick or stone walls, which can be difficult to drill into, can hold an object in place.

2. Familiarize Yourself With Drywall Anchors and Molly Bolts

If you’re hanging an object up to 25 pounds, use an anchor to securely fasten the object or picture frame to the wall without damaging the soft drywall itself. A threaded anchor will come with a small plug that you can screw or hammer into the wall. You’ll then be able to fasten the heavy object to the secure plug within the wall.

A molly bolt is a heavy-duty anchor for objects weighing up to 50 pounds. You can use these bolts for heavy curtain rods as well as frames and hanging objects you wouldn’t want to put directly into drywall.

3. Don’t Hang a Heavy Object Alone

It’s a good idea to hang a heavy object with one or more people for two reasons. First, you’ll be able to avoid injury by lifting with another person. Second, you won’t have to redo the process after you’ve completed it because you’ve got another pair of eyes looking out for missed studs, insecure anchors, and off-center picture frames that you might not notice.

Get in Touch With a Local Handyman in Victoria B.C.

Often, the best way to know how to hang something heavy on the wall is to call a professional who is trained in performing this task safely. Get in touch with Handyman Connection to talk about your project or request an estimate today. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you complete the room of your dreams!