How to Hang a Heavy Mirror on Masonry | Ask This Old House
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- Опубліковано 28 сер 2024
- Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner hang a large mirror on the stone chimney above his fireplace.
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Time: 2 hours
Cost: $5
Skill Level: Moderate
Tools List for Hanging a Heavy Mirror:
Scaffolding
Tape Measure
Hammer Drill
Screwdriver
Shopping List:
Concrete Anchors and Screws
Steps:
1. Set up scaffolding (staging) in the work area.
2. Measure the center to center distance between the two hooks on the back of the mirror.
3. Measure from the bottom of the mirror to the top of the hook.
4. Measure the width of the chimney, then divide that in half to find the center location.
5. Determine the height of the bottom of the mirror off the mantle. From that point, measure up to the height of the hooks.
6. Using the center mark as a reference, divide the spacing between each hook in half, placing two marks on the stone equidistant from the center mark.
7. Determine the height from the mantle to the center height mark. Transfer that height to the two hook position marks.
8. Use a hammer drill to make a hole at your mark for the concrete anchors. Pump the trigger and be gentle when starting the hole.
9. Slide the concrete anchor into the hole and tap it in place with a hammer.
10. Use a hand screwdriver to set the screw into the anchor.
11. Lift the mirror and set it on the hooks.
Resources:
Staging and hammer drills can be rented from a home center or a tool rental shop.
Concrete anchors and screws can be purchased at a home center.
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Hang a Heavy Mirror on Masonry | Ask This Old House
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Every time they cut away when the homeowner tries to do something you know it basically ended up with Tom saying "just let me do it" 😂
To stop the bit wandering at the beginning, turn off the hammer function. Once you've got the hole started, activate the hammer function
I appreciate that he can remember measurements. If I don't write them down - I'll walk about 2' before measuring again then do it a third time once I climb the scaffolding. I miss having a good memory - at least I think I do.
For anyone else doing this, it's also smart to check that the d-rings are level with each other too. Measure from the top or the bottom to both d-rings. I've come across too many frames where they're off by less than a half inch, but it definitely shows when you hang it
great view of the ceiling! or when the Green Giant stops by!
Coming up next on TOH Build It series, Tommy and Kevin build a set of wooden stilts from reclaimed lumber so the homeowner can use his new mirror.
You know mirrors can just be used for decoration and to make a room appear bigger, right?
Seriously, that thing is too freakin' high.
@@johnmartinez7440 yes they can, but that only works when the "decoration" is at eye level. This is like putting a too-short jacket and highwater pants on a really tall man.
HILARIOUS
🤣
That hammer drill was kicking the homeowner's ass lol
😂 had him sweating for 10 mins of work
Yup. At first he was thinking ‘ I got this, old man’ and quickly changed to ‘WTF!’
5:25 “gotcha”... proceeds to do everything he’s not supposed to... 😂😂🤣😆😆
Tip to stop the drill bit wandering at the start: turn off the hammer action initially and make a smaller hole with a smaller drill bit
Smart idea. Never thought to turn off the hammer. I would normally take a sharp center punch and make a divot first to use. I like your way though more for 90% of cases.
Get a shorter bit 1st too.🤣
I love how patient he is while trying to teach.
Yeah
Those eyes are for hanging wire, not screws! I always wondered where Tackleberry from Police Academy ended up...
Agreed! There’s hardly anything holding that mirror
what do I think? I think the screws are out too far, did you see them flex when they put that load on them? Also those rounded screw heads don't hold well on those rounded mirror hoods, better to put a washer up against the screw head so there is more service area to hold onto
I totally agree with you. Did you see the right hand screw dip downwards when they mounted the mirror? I was holding my breath at that point! 🤦♀️
TOMMY KNOWS EVERYTHING PERIOD.
He sure does. But man I think those two little screws didn't go into the wall deep enough into the wall... I don't trust that installation it feels like it's going to fall
@@loveislife77 agreed.
drilling level hole with hammer drill for a first time on national TV
gold medal
I don't know that I would trust a plastic anchor in stone and the weight involved,but Tom is the pro so there you go.
I thought the same thing. There must be something better than a plastic anchor
Yeah I agreee with you. I would have thought Tapcon screws were the way to go. But he is the pro. That screw does seem to bend a lot when they put the weight on it
@@stemofthefly I would think Tapcon screws
5:51 “I immediately regret this decision”
6:48 "I immediately regret this decision"
6:50 Who's looking in that mirror? A giant?
Julio F lol 😂 I don’t know though if a mirror really can only be a see-yourself thing. Just aesthetically it’s also good. It makes the room look bigger and some decoration of course.
Yeah but I guess it reflects light down into the room and makes it seem even bigger. When they get it mounted it looks like there is some taller windows in the room behind the camera that the mirror catches at eye level.
A ghost or ghosts, most probably.
Obviously, if you tilt it downwards a bit, it means that a person with reason to be paranoid can watch out for potential threats coming from behind.
Julio F I have a mirror that's up high also. It's just decorative . It's not uncommon
their 12 foot friends are gonna love that mirror
if you hang a mirror that high you should put it on a wire and have it on a outset hook so the mirror can still be used from someone below, also adding function and a really interesting reflection perspective
Lots of mirrors say specifically to not use a wire to hang them with these types of D rings
Surprised it didn’t show him measuring the length of the hook on both sides. As we all know sometimes the factory will offset those hooks and if you only use one measurement for both sides you were certain to be off level when you’re not using a hanging wire
Who has ever bought something with hangers attached perfectly even on both sides of the frame!
Very timely - I need to do this myself! But, I think Tommy assumed that both hooks were set evenly on the back of the mirror - Probably should have measured from he bottom to each hook to determine if they were...
David Case I was going to make the same point, Dave. Because I have personal experience of those hooks NOT being in the same place (same height) from the bottom of the mirror. And moving them was difficult due to how they were attached.
Great minds think alike! :) I think I'm actually going to suspend the picture from the ceiling just in front of the brick. I found a system which will allow for different heights and widths...
I learned about uneven hooks the hard way a long time ago. The last time I installed a large mirror I ignored the hooks and used a cleat style hanger kit from Home Depot. I used a level to be sure that the parts that go on the wall and the back of the mirror were both horizontal. That eliminated the hassle of adding an offset to my measurements.
my dad always told me to tap with a concrete nail first to make the drill not wanders off..just dent it gently to make a mark, then drill it as usual, not too deep, then clean the hole by blowing it with a straw or something.
Makes sense.
Yeah I don't know, I think I would go a little beefier with that installation. Just a little to right on the edge for me and anyone below.
One problem I see here, because I had it when I hung a lead-glass mirror over my mantle. The way he does it here presumes that the eyelets on the back of the mirror are the same height. Tom only measured from the bottom of the mirror up to one of the eyelets. In my case, one eyelet was 1/2 an inch higher than the other, so following this method here you'd be hanging a mirror crooked AND drilling holes into your masonry that will need to be fixed.
The mirror looked uneven after they hung it.
I thought it was a waste putting a mirror up there. Why not put a painting, or something else?
Afrikitty whatever you choose. I have a mirror that's up high also. It's just decorative .
Do whatever you want in your own house.
Yeah seriously. I would've put a flat screen TV up there.
Afrikitty I would put up a blow up doll there. Put whatever you want. It’s all personal preference
@@AlphaYTang Wouldn't be possible since theres a fireplace.
I can't stop laughing at the ridiculousness of a mirror that's 7 feet in the air.
Garrett Ducat I have a mirror that's up high also. It's just decorative . Not uncommon.
Ross Trimboli yes
Why is it "ridiculousness"?
@@johnmartinez7440 It does look good. I suppose it is ridiculous because you don't typically set a mirror at an angle where you only see ceiling in the reflection. But I get it as a decorative piece, the chimney is huge and needed something
Mate its for shaq
Oh man, this is the one instance where the dufus homeowner holding the vacuum close to the drill bit would have come in handy!
I would check that both hooks are level first, or at the exact height from the bottom edge, because many mirrors, picture frames etc, came out of the factory with hooks not lined up level left - right. What happens then is that you do everything right and the mirror will be hung skewed to one side. To correct this, you have to compensate when drilling the holes.
Tommy and his tape measure skills
Even easier solution. Tie a steel cable on both hooks and then hang it in the center sliglty leaning forward.
Exactly. When you do it like this video shows, there is always a good chance your measurements are just off slightly and the gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair ensues. Been there. Done that. 😫
An even easier solution would be to get a piece of painters tape and mark where the hooks will go. Transfer the tape to the wall (use a level) and then drill the holes.
@@gilbertcarrizales7592 I know that trick, but it is static. The cable option is easy to remove.
@@honestcomments6060 Yes, tying a wire around each hook is an option; however, the weight of the mirror would be a concern including the stress it would have on the screw that the wire would be anchored. Better yet, I personally would not hang anything on the chimney mantle.
@@gilbertcarrizales7592 super smart and quick.
I would recommend a picture wire and bigger screws.
Hanging wires isn't great for heavier items. Lightweight things like picture frames are great, but if it's over 50 Pounds, having the wire bear all the weight will bend the d-rings over time and eventually will fall off. It's better to evenly distribute the weight directly at the d-rings
@@rogerchong5152 then maybe use some hooks on the screws? I’m sure they make that
Welcome to acting 101 from the home owner.
Bet he thought he’d get a job on the show. He was for sure acting like he was the host or a crew member which honestly made him look like a total idiot.
i frickin love this channel
5:50 why is he sweating all he did was drill one hole lol
Young tackle berry from police academy would not let go of the hammer drill
Lol
Great video! A few tips,
first the drill bit is crooked
she dances like a ballerina.The first reason why he can't keep the drill centered.
This could have been much easier, before drilling, put the drill in the chiseling mode
this will create the direction of the drill bit and then on a rotating hammer and drill to the desired depth. The second rule
never press the hammer drill too hard
the reason is a simple striking mechanism cannot work. Greetings from Europe!
This will hang for two days with these little skews. :-) You have special hooks for mirrors.
And boys, start using the Matric system !
Great video. Couldn't help but notice how much that chimney has pulled away from the wall though, that's shrinking cement? Bloody well hope it's just the cement and not the whole chimney.
Thanks for shartthis video
Ok Tommy, now I want to bolt my queen size bed to the ceiling!
I like this handy man.
I think it would have been smarter and easier to adjust the height of the mirror or relocate the hooks on the mirror and drill the anchors into the mortar joints rather than the stone. Less conspicuous to patch the holes if you change your mind down the road
I would have used double sided tape - hopefully when it falls down, she'll stop having me hang useless junk and stop wasting money on ugly mirrors.
@@boedillard8807this guy has been married at least once. Friggin brilliant
Tom, what if you need a mirror on the basement, "bedroom" ceiling and you've got industrial eye bolts/ chains in the way?
André the Giant is combing his hair in the mirror
I won’t hang any heavyweight on the brick wall. When time is pass it may cause cracks
How much does the mirror weigh and how do you know two plugs will effectively work to hold it up?
You can check the weight rating of anchors you buy. It's usually written on the package
Tommy , it does look nice UP THERE
Hold up- when he was drilling the stone, there was no vacuum to suck away the small stone dust. This is not OSHA compliment especially because you’re indoors.
My hammer drill came with a depth stop bar. I would have at least put a piece of blue painters tape on the bit to mark the depth. My guess is he didn't want to put on makeup to absorb the sweat due to the heat from the camera lighting. I mounted my tv over similar stone using masonry hex screws. I've had to many plastic inserts fall out over time in other work so I don't trust them.
Most houses in Europe are stone buildings or concrete, so we use them all the time. They don't fall out because of drilling too Deep, they only fall out of you drill too big
Good pratice to blow out the hole with compressed air, and would have preferred to use tapcon screws
The owner knows how to install anything in a regular dry wall just by finding stud. So he doesn't know how to do it on the masonry.
So Tom knows how to do it. It is a learning experience to see and do it. Like what kind of tools u need ,instead of using regular drill !!! A Hammer drill will make the difference because it has a strong impact, how to put the bit on the masonry, it is better to do it on the scaffolding. It doesn't matter if was a mirror or anything what matter is what it takes to do it and enrich ur life.
4:08 I see you are wearing your safety goggles, and safety ear protection. But you forgot your safety helmets, safety harnesses, and safety strobe lights.
You just made my day haha.
Yes gentlemen, they are drilling- count them- TWO holes
I think the screws should have been screwed all the way in with hooks on the end and hang the mirror on the hooks the head of the screw is not big enough to hold that mare I think eventually it could. slip off.
I would check the two points to make sure it's level before drilling
Hold a vacuum under the drill bit to catch the dust, screws weren't long enough, i saw the screw move when they hung the mirror 😆
I don't think the screws were in the wall far enough & screws wernt long enough for how heavy the mirror was, but that's just my personal preference 🙂
I can’t believe they didn’t check to make sure the marks were level, with a level before drilling lol
I assume that the eyelets on the back of the mirror weren't even. Those holes being level assumes the eyelets are. I think he took individual measurements off camera.
Thank you !!
Would you recommend first connecting a steel cable across the two hooks in the mirror and then just using one screw in the center of the mantle?
That would work, but you would need to make sure you fasten the wire very well and obviously would need to use a longer and thicker screw to hold the weight by itself.
This comment section seems to be full of people who've never heard of or seen a decorative mirror. Reflects light, makes the room bigger, and looks nice. Why are people so confused?
They're jealous they don't have a room like that.
This is a nice house! Does he sound like Rocky Marciano? 2:25 does it looked like the structure is separating from the wall? Who does not feel comfortable with those plastic wall anchors? I rather use Tapcon.
Hi 👋
Last time I hung a mirror like that I pounded some bottle caps flat to serve as washers to anchor a chain to the wall
So I just had a house built but realized during construction they weren’t putting any metal supports to hold my bricks on the fireplace. On the exterior they put metal clamps every so many feet to hold the brick to the house. Can I still put a tv mount on my brick fireplace?
I wouldn’t trust these small screws and anchors!
Man get outta here with that weak plastic anchor for such a heavy mirror with that 8p looking screw grade 5 screw lol. It already looks like the screw was sliding out as he was putting it on so imagine after it's settled. plastic, mortar and 45lb of pure wood and glass... that's a nope for me. I wouldn't hang my steaks to cure on that silly anchor.
the great question how many basketball players he know :)
its great if your 7 foot 8.
Couldn't you use an anchor bolt in between the bricks.
I would not have used those plastic anchors. And I also would have used some type of glue of sorts that would work in the cement to hold the screws better.
Two tiny screws holding that up..!! No way...anchor bolts for me..
Why didn’t they use Tapcon screws?
I want to hang a heavy glass framed picture (I'm talking 5 ft diameter, maybe 15-20 pounds) on a marble chimney breast without drilling a hole in the wall and damaging the marble AT ALL. Is it even possible? Ceiling cables maybe? Some kind heavy duty adhesive pads?
I would like to know stone is on the mantel??????
good job tom if it falls off thats 7 years bad luck
MARK FILLERY it's not going anywhere. We bought our house in 2012 . I have a mirror that's up high also. It's just decorative .
ive seen plenty of things fall of that people think are ok including mirrors never say never and im a tomme
Damn that's a nice room.
Charles Lumia agree
$$$ Mirror (check), Baker Scaffold (check), 8 Amp Rotary Hammer Drill and Masonry Bit (check), Eye and Ear Protection (check), 2- 20 Lbs rated Nylon Anchors and 1-1/4" Screws (HUH?). Next Episode... Mirror Crashing down across your back while loading wood.... PRICELESS!!!.
Thought that screw was going to pull out on that side view lol
Yeah the plastic anchors look a little sketchy.
Metal anchors would be a lot more sturdy.
Yep i saw that, a few knocks while cleaning n that'll be 7yrs bad luck laying on the floor,
A big mirror like that I'd have used bigger screws & maybe a washer on the screw to help keep the mirror hook on
What’s the point of a mirror if it’s too high for you to see yourself in?
Xenon777 I assume to make the room seem bigger, my house is like that too.
Xenon777 I have a mirror that's up high also. It's just decorative and not uncommon
Why not use tapcons?
It should be tilted down if you want to use it
Me on my wedding day to my wife: 4:55
Bagsy 5:59 that was my wife’s response
That guy broke a sweat drilling!! AND, Shaq couldn't use that mirror.
I'll just check my hair in the mirror... now where did I put the step ladder?
why not just raise it 2 inches and use the mortar line? Could fill it with colored grout later if they decide to replace the mirror.....now stone is permanently damaged
Why do you care - it's not your house...oh, I know...you're attempting to demonstrate what a super handy man you are...okay...got it...
ya, your right who cares.....just 1000's of dollars worth of stone work, F it....Drill it...
Yikes! You could but you would need longer anchors and screws. The anchor heads could be wider then Gaps. You need the anchors flush with the surface. You may still need to widen the gap to fit the anchors.
@@gregsplace.greecenewyork2744 It was all grout. Those weren't stones. Formed grout stones basically. I love Tommy, but yeah I agree with you 100%. They should have ground a flat on that, then did what you're saying.
Why didn’t they put a wire between the brackets?
at 1.23 Perv Binoculars on window sill for Bird watching.... Mrs. Bird?
I would of still used standard hooks that can handle the weight and fasten them to the brick wall with those same inserts and screws.
I would have fastened them with Tapcon screws, but I’m not a pro
Nice video
Easiest way to start rottoering into the block is out in hammer only to set your point but just a small point do go chiseling like a flint stone lol
His wife must be a giant
5:51 the face you make when she says she's ready.
Why?
How much weight can each anchor hold... (Not sure if those stones are just a layer over a drywall)?
I use these anchors pretty much every day. On the box it says it can hold up to 500 lbs in a solid stone wall and up to 55 lbs in 1/2 inch drywall.
I agree why would anybody hang a mirror so high.
They should leave the scaffold there so someone could use the mirror.
never seen someone sweat bullets to drill one hole
Espejo para la jirafa
yeh they definitely didn't leave those screws THAT far out from the plugs. Or did they......
Cool!
I guess the mantelpiece is too high up and no one can look into the mirror. Maybe there is some sort of catwalk above that room. That TV would fit flawlessly right above the fireplace.