How to install curtain track on plasterboard?

Question

I’ve installed a ceiling mounted curtain track a few days ago. Today I hung the curtains and have noticed the end brackets have dropped lower than when no curtains hung.

I used spring toggles (8-10kg max) in drywall as all the studs had electrical running along them. I have 9 spring toggles in total across the track. I’m wondering if you can provide me any advice on what to do with these end brackets/anchors. All the others seem okay for now (I’ve attached a photo for comparison).

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @maggiebenetti,

Unfortunately, there's no way to visually confirm that the wings have fully expanded once they're inside the ceiling cavity. In most cases, you can only tell by how the fixing behaves.

When installed correctly, the toggle should pull up firmly against the back of the plasterboard as you tighten the bolt. You should feel it become progressively tighter, with the bracket pulling snug against the ceiling without any movement. If the bolt continues to turn without drawing the bracket up firmly, or the bracket can still move, it's a sign the toggle hasn't seated correctly.

Given you've already had some movement after hanging the curtains, I'd first try gently tightening the affected fixings. If they tighten up and the bracket is pulled flush against the ceiling, then the toggle has likely now seated correctly. If they won't tighten or simply spin, the toggle has probably failed to engage properly and will need to be replaced.

From your photos, it does appear there's still quite a bit of exposed thread, which suggests there's a good chance the bolt simply hasn't been fully drawn into the toggle yet. Hopefully a little more tightening is all that's needed.

Mitchell

maggiebenetti · Answer

Thanks Mitchell! Is there a way for me to make sure the wings have completely expanded? During installing the track I did have difficulty with some of the spring toggles not staying in place (probably not expanded properly like you said) but I just readjusted these until I felt they were holding firm, but now with additional weight it seems the issue actually wasn’t solved.

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @maggiebenetti,

The most likely explanation is that the spring toggles hadn't fully expanded and seated themselves correctly against the back of the plasterboard when they were installed. Even if they initially felt tight, if the wings weren't sitting flat against the back of the plasterboard, the weight of the curtains can cause them to shift into position, leaving the fitting loose and allowing the bracket to drop.

From your description, and assuming the other brackets are still holding firm, I'd start by trying to gently tighten the end fixings. There appears to be quite a bit of thread exposed, which suggests the bolt may not have been fully tightened into the toggle. If the toggle has seated itself correctly, you may find it tightens up and pulls the bracket back snug against the ceiling.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell