CRF Services Ltd
TV mounting in Rochester: fixing TVs to your wall
A wall mounted TV is fixed securely by matching the bracket and fixings to the wall it is going on, setting it at a comfortable viewing height, and running the cables neatly in trunking or behind a cover. Plasterboard, solid brick and chimney breasts each need a different approach, and getting that right is what keeps a heavy screen safely on the wall for years. TV mounting is one of the handyman jobs Danny takes on across Rochester and Medway, often alongside shelves, curtain poles or other small jobs in the same visit.
Mounting a TV on plasterboard
Plasterboard on its own is not strong enough to hold most TVs, especially on a bracket that tilts or swings out from the wall. The safest approach is to find the timber or metal studs behind the board and fix the bracket into them. Where the studs do not line up with where you want the screen, heavy duty cavity fixings rated for the load can be used, or a timber pattress is fitted inside the wall to spread the weight.
The hanging shelves on plasterboard guide on this site explains how studs and cavity fixings work in more detail. The same principles apply to a TV, only with a heavier, more expensive load at stake.
Brick walls and chimney breasts
Solid brick and block walls give a very strong fixing when the right plugs and screws are used. The main risks are soft or crumbly bricks in older houses and drilling into a mortar joint rather than the brick itself. Checking the wall as the first holes are drilled shows whether it will hold.
Chimney breasts are a popular spot because they are central in the room. They can be solid, but they often have a hollow flue behind, a plaster finish that sounds dull, or old fixings from previous mirrors and pictures. Heat is the other concern. A TV should not go above a fire that is in regular use, because rising heat can shorten the life of the screen.
Choosing the right bracket
The bracket should suit the size and weight of the TV and the way you watch it. Most TVs list a VESA pattern, the spacing of the holes on the back, which tells you which brackets fit.
- Flat brackets hold the screen close to the wall for a clean look
- Tilting brackets angle the screen down when it is mounted higher
- Full motion arms let the screen swing out and turn, but need the strongest fixings
- Check the bracket's weight rating is well above the TV's weight
- Match the VESA hole pattern on the TV to the bracket
- Keep the screen's centre roughly at seated eye level for comfort
Hiding the cables
Loose cables hanging below a wall mounted TV spoil the look. The tidiest option that does not involve electrical work is surface trunking: a slim channel fixed to the wall and painted to match, running from the TV down to the socket or the TV unit. On a stud wall, cables can sometimes be routed inside the wall using an approved wall plate kit, as long as no mains cable is run in the wall.
If you want a new socket behind the TV, that is electrical work and must be done by an electrician. It is worth arranging before the TV goes up so the bracket position and the socket line up. The handyman or specialist guide explains where that line is drawn.
What happens on the day
The position is agreed first, using a level and a pencil mark, and checked for pipes and cables in the wall with a detector. The bracket is fixed, tested with weight, and the TV is lifted onto it, ideally with two people for larger screens. Cables are connected and the trunking fitted. Finally the screen is levelled and adjusted, and the dust is cleaned away.
If you have a soundbar, a shelf for a set top box or a games console, mention it beforehand so it can be positioned neatly at the same time.
Booking TV mounting with other jobs
A TV mounting job is often a short visit, so many people group it with other small tasks: putting up shelves or a mirror, assembling the TV unit, or hanging curtain poles in the same room. Send the TV size, the bracket if you already have one, a photo of the wall and the socket position, and say what other jobs are on your list. The handyman services page explains how a list of small jobs is planned into one visit.
This work is part of our Handyman Services service.
Common questions
TV mounting service: TVs fixed securely to your wall questions answered
Have a job in mind?
Tell Danny what needs doing and get a clear, no-obligation quotation.