Things You\’ll Need
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Pencil
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Tape measure
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Bubble level
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Electric hammer-drill
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Anchor kit
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Compressed air
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Adjustable wrench
Cinder blocks have hollow cells and solid webbing.
The anchor used to hang heavy objects on a cinder block wall must grip the sides of the anchor's pilot hole tightly. Anchors with heavy-duty spring-loaded wings hold objects against the hollow part of a cinder block, and wedge-style anchors hold objects against the cinder block's solid webbing. Avoid placing a heavy object's anchor within 1 inch of a cinder block's mortar joint. To safely hold heavy objects against a cinder block wall, use multiple anchors with a total rating 400 percent higher than the object's weight. For example, 2 anchors rated at 100 lbs. can safely hold an object weighing 50 lbs.
Video of the Day
Step 1
Lay out the heavy object's anchor placement and spacing on the cinder block wall with a pencil, using a tape measure and bubble level as a guide. The anchor placement and spacing depend on the heavy object's requirements.
Step 2
Equip an electric hammer-drill with the masonry drill bit included in an anchor kit. Anchor kits contain the proper size masonry drill bit for the anchor's pilot hole.
Step 3
Drill the pilot holes into the cinder blocks at the layout marks with the hammer-drill and masonry drill bit. If the drill bit punches through the cinder block's surface and enters a cavity, hang the heavy object with a spring-loaded wing-style anchor. If the drill bit remains in solid material after it passes the 1 1/4-inch depth, hang the heavy object with a wedge-style anchor.
Step 4
Clean the dust out of the pilot hole with compressed air.
Step 5
Assemble the anchor. If using spring-loaded wing-style anchors, spin the anchor's bolt into the hinged side of the anchor's retaining nut. The anchor's wings fold over the retaining bolt. If using a wedge-style anchor, twist the bolt onto the anchor's threads.
Step 6
Insert the end of the anchor opposite the bolt into the pilot hole. If using wing-style anchors, squeeze the wings and press the anchor into the pilot hole. The wings spread once the ends of the wings reach the cinder block's cavity. If using wedge-style anchors, insert the anchor fully and tighten the anchor's bolt with an adjustable wrench until the anchor's ribs expand against the side of the pilot hole.
Step 7
Place the heavy object's retaining device onto the end of the anchor's bolt. Tighten the bolt, if needed, and install the heavy object. The heavy object's mounting method depends on the type of object and its mounting style. Heavy objects that use a hanging wire, such as mirrors and pictures, use an anchor with its bolt head exposed. Heavy objects that use brackets, such as televisions and fireplace mantels, use anchors with the bolt tightened against the bracket's mounting surface.
