How to fix floating shelf screws?

[Thunderboy]

 

  

How do I fix my floating shelf, had things on it. And it dropped from the weight, screws were tightened but it’s dropped again and it’s cracked around the brace at the screws in the wall 

[Noyade]

Good evening @Thunderboy 

Did you install this bracket?

Did any of those screws strike a stud or horizontal noggin?

I'll take a punt and say none of them have as all of the three upper screws look like they're being torn through the gyprock.

May I suggest taking the bracket down and looking at what anchorage fitting is behind it - if none, then probe the holes looking for wood with say a thin piece of wire.

If no anchors or wood, then we need to look at better anchorage and/or locating wood behind the gyprock.

[EricL]

Hello @Thunderboy 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your floating shelf.

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Noyade. Plasterboard tear outs is often an indicator that too much weight was placed on the shelf. What kind of anchoring device did you use on your wall? Did you use WallMate or a hollow wall anchor?  

Noyade's suggestion is spot on. A timber stud must be located so that the shelf will be straight and strong. I recommend having a quick look at this guide - How to use a stud finder. However, if there is no stud in the location you are after, I suggest using Ramset Super Wallmate Toggle Anchor. It is suitable for for heavy duty, vibration resistant fixing in plasterboard for cavity walls or ceilings.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Thunderboy]

 

 my bracket from the wall and how it was as I removed it 

[EricL]

Hello @Thunderboy 

Due to the damage that has occurred to your original shelf location, you'll need to find a new spot for your floating shelf. It was suggested that you try to find a timber stud to anchor at least one side of the shelf. And if it's not possible to use Ramset Super Wallmate Toggle Anchor. It is suitable for heavy duty work in plasterboards for cavity walls or ceilings.

To repair the damage, I suggest using  Parfix 500g Ready To Use Multipurpose Filler. Once the filler cures you can slightly sand it down and prepare for painting

If you have any other questions we can help wit, please let us know.

Eric

[Thunderboy]

Hi Eric 

question for you, from my photo of the shelf bracekt had five wall mates if that too much for that shelf or it the right amount? Had it made that three of them would have been fine ? 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Thunderboy,

Looking at the photos of the wall after the shelf was removed, it looks like you'd have been better off with 3 wall mates as opposed to 5.

You can see in the below image that the close proximity of the wall mates has caused the gyprock to fracture between them which has caused them to lose their holding power.

If you were to reinstall the shelf, I would advise you to locate at least one stud and preferably align the central mounting holes with it. You should then drive 2 x 50mm Countersunk Wood Screws into this stud.  You can then use 1 x Ramset Super Wallmate Toggle Anchor on each side of the shelf bracket to help balance and support the shelf.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob