Submitted by Im_A_Model t3_11bhbq5 in DIY

I need to hang a heavy oak shelf onto an aerated concrete wall and have run into some problems.

The shelf is hanging on hidden brackets and I have used some specific rawlplugs for aerated concrete made to hold 16 kg each but the shelf is unstable because the aerated concrete crumbles inside the hole.

Are there any special type of rawlplugs for the job or is there other solutions?

356

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

RexiReddit t1_j9xv2ce wrote

Try filling the holes with an epoxy gel, then push the plug into the hole. Make sure it stays aligned as it cures. Another method is to let the epoxy cure, then drill the epoxy for the brackets.

Search for “anchoring adhesive. ”

123

Im_A_Model OP t1_j9xzhwz wrote

Thanks for the advice. Just went and bought some epoxy for the job and went with the first option to put the plug into the hole. Now I'm just waiting for it to cure and then I will try to mount it again

37

electricskywalker t1_j9yf20m wrote

Hilti HY-200A adhesive with threaded rod. You can get threaded rod to match whatever anchor the shelves came with. For aerated concrete you should get the mesh sleeve as well. If its outdoor get the hot dip galvanized threaded rod.

27

onlym3 t1_j9yqwi6 wrote

For oak I was always told to go for stainless rather than galvanised (idk if it's a US/UK nomenclature thing) as the oak will corrode anything other than stainless, particularly if there's likely to be any water involved. I have also confirmed this through slightly painful experience!

15

nsa_reddit_monitor t1_j9yzwde wrote

Stainless steel is stainless steel, galvanized steel is steel with a zinc coating. Stainless is much more expensive but also more resistant to corrosion than galvanized, which costs almost the same as normal steel.

10

LancsMak t1_j9z6dla wrote

Sort of. The tannins in oak will react with iron which is why stainless is recommended. You'll get unsightly black marks on the steel and the oak surrounding it.

6

electricskywalker t1_ja196g3 wrote

TIL! Thanks that's great info. I really only deal with metal, but this could definitely be good to know in the future.

1

GodlyLeach t1_j9zq3vo wrote

This, but I recommend something other than Hilti if you want to save some money. There are plenty of alternatives that will do the same thing without the Hilti brand premium you pay $$$.

1

electricskywalker t1_ja353d5 wrote

You're not wrong that its expensive. I order pallets of it regularly for work and I've used it in this exact condition and had the connection engineered. I almost always go with what our engineer recommends, he is excellent.

1

Familiar_Result t1_j9yc6bu wrote

If that isn't enough, you can try adding more brackets as well. If they are really heavy, you might just have to build proper supports that go to the ground.

2

Enginerdad t1_j9ybi03 wrote

FYI, the 16 kg rating is for shear (the anchor pushing sideways on the wall) loads. Mounting a shelf puts a lot of tension (pulling out of the wall) on the anchors, which almost none of them are rated for.

30

KruppeTheWise t1_j9zlpab wrote

Nicely explained. I just get apoplectic with rage watching new AV technicians trying to justify mounting an articulated bracket with drywall plugs

"but each is rated to 75lbs I'm using 4 and this all weighs less than 100lbs! I've done it before bro chill out"

I won't chill, you're going to fucking kill a child, do not show up tomorrow if this isn't fixed in the next 30 minutes.

10

Enginerdad t1_j9zvrk5 wrote

Maybe even worse, an articulated bracket is subject to being moved and wiggled around, which drywall anchors also suck for.

2

particlemanwavegirl t1_ja0si0u wrote

What do you mean, sideways? Do you mean downwards? Or into the wall, opposite of outwards? Why would they be rated for sideways force? How and when would sideways force be applied? Literally cannot figure out what it means in the context.

0

Enginerdad t1_ja0zi5d wrote

Sideways as in in the plane of the wall. Up, down, left, right, or any angle in between those. Usually the load is down because well, gravity. Just not in toward the wall or out away from the wall.

2

particlemanwavegirl t1_ja19zzh wrote

So you meant lateral? Why not say that? You've broken like three conventions at once, it's very confusing.

−7

Enginerdad t1_ja1dpjt wrote

Because a bunch of laypeople may not know what lateral means, and I'm trying to make the information as accessible as possible. That's also why I explained shear and tension.

But also because lateral is no more accurate or precise than sideways. Lateral loads are horizontal, as made distinct from vertical loads. The most correct terms are shear and tension loads, or possibly in-plane and out-of plane loads.

4

UKthailandExpat t1_j9ype63 wrote

While using epoxy is certainly one way of putting in anchors to aerated concrete it certainly isn’t the only or IMHO the best way.

the best way is to use “saw steel anchors” they are specifically designed for AAC blocks and I have used several hundred of them. My walls are all AAC (aerated concrete)

an mage is at https://sc01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1QHWYvTlYBeNjSszcq6zwhFXaM/200138850/HTB1QHWYvTlYBeNjSszcq6zwhFXaM.jpg

22

Im_A_Model OP t1_j9yu55t wrote

Thanks for the tip, that looks interesting. I will have to find out what they're called in Danish as I have never seen those before

4

ren_reddit t1_j9zd33s wrote

Epoxy virker (limanker).. Jeg har selv gjort det med Egehylder med skjulte stagbolte. Du skal bare sikre dig at de er dybt nok i. (80-100mm)

Tip: Jeg borede hul til stagbolten fra bagsiden af hylden og fræste en rille op fra undersiden af hylden til at montere møtrikken så montagen er helt skjult

6

Im_A_Model OP t1_j9zny76 wrote

Super, tak. Lader lige epoxyen sidde indtil i morgen, men umiddelbart ser det fast ud. Hylden jeg har, har jeg fået lavet af en snedker, så der er styr på beslagene, det var bare lige væggen, der drillede.

English: just saying I will leave the epoxy till tomorrow but it looks solid so far

2

Alone-Candidate-5377 t1_j9ynbxg wrote

I believe what you're looking for is "chemical anchor". It's a type of epoxy that's made for putting steel rods into concrete, forever.

Depending on your brackets and how much space there is inside the shelves, best would be to use chemical anchor to stick threaded rod into the holes, wait for it to cure, and then screw on the shelf brackets with nuts onto the threaded rod.

Edit: Forgot to add - the longer you can make your anchor the better. 6 inches if you can :)

13

Total_HD t1_j9xumbj wrote

For heavier weights they’re just not designed for that.

I actually cut mine out installed standard bricks where I needed mounts, plastered to make good and then used metal expanding bolts.

You could also try resin / chemical bonds but I have no knowledge of that.

8

SeNa_Thursdave t1_ja0ewmf wrote

As i clicked on this i thought i bet someone says something crazy like re build the wall. Top comment. This sub cracks me up, least its not his wall cracking. Ill see myself out

2

Im_A_Model OP t1_j9y0cd6 wrote

Thanks, it's a bit circumstantial for me though 😅

1

UKthailandExpat t1_j9yq0wz wrote

Use the correct anchors and you have no need of all that fafe

i have cabinets hanging on single French cleat battens 30mmx50mm, that hold upwards of 50kg using 3~5 3x3” screws in saw steel anchors

1

revtor t1_j9yc1yq wrote

You need more contact area between the anchors and wall material. So get longer anchors (longer equals more pull out resistance). Anchor can be anything really, a length of threaded rod works well if it’s thick enough and you use enough to support the load.

Also drill the hole a good bit bigger than the anchor bolt and use either regular concrete or good epoxy to set the anchor. You want the anchor to only be contacting the adhesive and the adhesive to unify with the spongy wall material. Another benefit of the larger hole is the ability to exactly level the anchor rods as the adhesive is setting.

6

UncleLongHair0 t1_j9ymeku wrote

We had a solid cedar fireplace mantle installed and it was interesting how they did it. They drilled holes into the brick with a masonry drill, then had rods that looked like rebar, and set them into the holes with epoxy gel. They propped them up so they'd be somewhat level. Once they set, they drilled holes into the back side of the mantle, coated the protruding pegs with glue, and set it in place.

This is a gotta-get-it-right-the-first-time kind of thing but might work for your situation.

6

Vesalii t1_j9zpmiy wrote

You need to use threaded rods and chemical anchor. And drill dep enough because those walls can almost support nothing.

3

ODLaner79 t1_ja1ikug wrote

Had to google aerated concrete wall. Learnt something. My previous home, the concrete blocks were substandard, and crumbled when drilling into them. I would have love to have known this information.

1

wrigly2 t1_ja0icn6 wrote

Aerated? Never heard that term

0