Installing a 2m tall shelving unit and need to anchor it to a brick wall for stability, ideas?

Submitted by gulpgulpgulp t3_11z6zbu in DIY

Im getting a 2m high shelving unit for in a bedroom, its just one of those industrial garage ones with the huge weight limit, very basic steel and MDF shelving but obviously at that height i will need to anchor it to the wall.

My walls are solid brick which can make things harder but also i think much more sturdy. Now because of my skirting board the unit will be about 7cm from the wall meaning i cant just screw it directly in. I was thinking if i could somehow get a hook i could use some nice big zip ties, the weight/strain on them would be negligible i think since it would just be stopping toppling and not weight bearing.

I cant think of a way to get a hook secured into the wall or if there are any other options, i know people anchor cookers and fridges with chains but i dont know what they are called/where to get them.

Any help would be great, im in the UK btw.

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Comments

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Bokbreath t1_jdb8ae8 wrote

Masonry drill and wall anchor. Then screw an eye hook in.

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gulpgulpgulp OP t1_jdb92z0 wrote

Can you explain? I have done the whole drill a hole with a masonry bit > rawlplug > screw, do you mean do the same but instead of a screw just get a threaded hook and use that? I guess if it matches the diameter of the rawlplug it should work.

Do you think some large zip ties would be ok for holding up a potential 100lbs of weight, because its pulling force i think it would be ok since its not going to hold the weight of the shelves.

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Bokbreath t1_jdbay3t wrote

That's it. Replace screw with threaded hook. Personally I'd use some wire because zip ties might rub and wear. Or put a corresponding hook on the shelves and use a small chain.

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shifty_coder t1_jddq1px wrote

If the shelf already has an anchor strap attached to it, just screw right through that into the rawlplug.

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nzdennis t1_jdb8i61 wrote

Construction adhesive?

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GarfunkelBricktaint t1_jdbikz6 wrote

Does it not have places to screw through from the interior of the cabinet into a wall?

If it does I'd put another 7cm board up on the wall with concrete anchors and construction adhesive then screw the cabinet into that from inside. That would be a pretty permanent installation though.

You could just use concrete anchors into the wall attached to a hook or metal loop just use more than 1 they can fail over time if it's just 1 and it's jostled frequently. That way if you move it just patch the holes in the mortar or replace 1 brick.

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drinkmaybehot t1_jdbl0l0 wrote

it’s in the bedroom… replacing a brik with mortar would make a mess. Masonry drill + rawplug + screw a diameter of 5 or 6 mm should be sufficient; mark the spots (you need 2 anchoring points) drill the holes, use the vacuum cleaner to suck out the dust from the freshly drilled holes and put the rawplug in. After that, put the shelf into position and add the screws in from the inside of the cabinet - voilla!

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GarfunkelBricktaint t1_jdcv2zc wrote

Sure but if you want a more permanent installation adding the board will give it a lot stronger attachment to the wall and fill in the 7cm gap between the wall and cabinet to make or more steady.

Replacing 1 brick or a couple lines of mortar isn't really messy. Can be contained with a single drop cloth really. That would only come into play when removing the cabinet though and would apply to your installation method as well. That's the exact method I said would be good for a more temporary installation. Replacing mortar ony comes into play once you remove the cabinet because you'll be left with 2 screw holes in your masonry wall. That's when you fill in the mortar which again really shouldn't be messy at all. If you replace a brick or 2 maybe a drop cloth, if it's just mortar I mean a single glove should be enough tbh.

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drinkmaybehot t1_jdcwh2t wrote

I see, you basically want to make something like a 7cm long washer to secure the cabinet….you can use a piece of wood, I mean would be my choice! anyways, good luck!

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GarfunkelBricktaint t1_jdd2bwz wrote

Yeah thats what I was suggesting to the guy it's in the first comment you replied to. I mean it's not 100% necessary but I think he'd be more pleased with the long term steadiness of the install like that it's just not as removable as anchors alone.

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doityourselfer t1_jdbnu1r wrote

Use steel strapping band, cut to needed length and afix to the inside of the shelf with screws, onto the wall with rawlplugs and screws.

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dmcl1994 t1_jdbuoqg wrote

What’s the back of the shelving unit look like? Every time I’ve seen/done something like this the bottom of the unit can be scribed against the skirting and therefore get flush up to the wall

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