How to fix a big void to drill again?

[Rolando]

New problem today, curtain rod bracket hanging loose, strange. Upon inspection I found the 2 screws with plugs hanging in the air. The holes must’ve been drilled just where one of the 3 brick holes are, so cleaning up debris and vacuuming, I see a void as big as a tennis ball or more.

So now I need to fill or inject some filler material that needs to set really hard, so I can re-drill holes for expanding plugs and secure the rod properly.

Finally my question is: what do I use? Some cement/sand mix? If so in what proportions? Or do I use some pre-made mix I can buy from Bunnings or some specialist supplier?

Thanks in advance for any suggestion, regards

[JacobZ]

Hi @Rolando,

As the cavity looks fairly deep, you are going to have to fill it all the way to the back if you want to refix the screws.

My suggestion is to use this Turbo Concrete Bog and set a Ramset 8 x 50mm Blue Wall Plugs in place while it is wet. This will mean you don't need to drill into the bog to tap the anchor into place, you will just have to screw the bracket back into the anchor.

Once the bog has dried, you can give it a sand and then paint it before screwing the bracket back in to place.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[Rolando]

Great idea, no need to drill if I sink the plugs with screws and all (not tight, just to align holes). 
Later I’m going to to my local Bunnings to check out this product.

Thanks

[AlanM52]

Hi Rolando,

You could simply use a toggle spring anchor.

Select one wide enough to span the hole.

Cheers

[Rolando]

Hi Alan, thanks but that's not suitable, the hole is as big a tennis ball or so, with a thin 1 cm of limewash plaster thickness.

I've made a sketch to show what it looked like once I peered with a tiny torch inside. Now I've put the epoxy cement like filler with the 2 plastic wall plugs embedded in it, fingers crossed I managed to fill in enough of the cavity. The filler was extremely hard (viscous) wo I had to use a flat chisel to insert it like bread in the oven and then spread around before filling the hole entry hole.

[EricL]

Hello @Rolando 

Please make sure to post a photo update once you've fixed the roller blind.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Rolando]

I have used the bracket with plugs and screws when I plunged the plastic plugs in the epoxy still soft, to make sure alignment and height were correct. After half an hour I removed the bracket and tested the screws hoping nothing was loose. By the amount of torque I had to use, NOTHING WILL EVER COME LOOSE! I’m confident that the issue is solved, that bracket is the most solid of all for sure. I used 1/3 of the recommended accelerant to give myself time to scoop the epoxy in the hole through the narrow opening.

i then cut off the excess and made all nice and flat, next year some paint but I’m not looking forward to undo those screws …

[EricL]

Hello @Rolando 

Thank you very much for the update, the repair looks very strong.

Eric