I'm a new homeowner and recently had a bit of a disaster trying to hang a 50 lb metal mirror. I almost caused a big mess by ripping chunks of drywall out when the mirror fell. The drywall anchors I used weren't secured into a stud, although there is one nearby. I'm considering using a French cleat mirror hanging kit anchored to the stud. My mirror also hangs 41 inches from both sides and has a half-circle shape with a flat edge at the bottom. Is it safe to use the original anchors, or should I avoid them due to the damage? Any helpful tips would be greatly appreciated, especially since I'd prefer not to hire a handyman!
2 Answers
Forget about those plastic anchors! You should definitely go for self-drilling toggle anchors that can handle at least 50 pounds. They're super cheap on Amazon or you can find them at Home Depot. Trust me, they’ll make a huge difference!
I wouldn't recommend self-drilling anchors for heavy items. Instead, try zip toggle bolts, especially the Toggler brand. They're perfect for hanging heavy stuff on drywall and I've used them for TVs a lot. Just make sure there are no water pipes behind where you’re about to drill!
If I switch to toggle bolts, should I drill a new hole instead of using the old anchor spot?
I was in the same boat with those anchors. It's worth it to check online for the right usage. Just be careful if you're having trouble getting the screws to sit flush; maybe you're over-tightening them!