Curtain Rail

muttley · Post by **muttley** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:31 pm

I am having problems trying to put up a curtain rail. The main problem is every time i try to drill the holes for the screws my wall crumbles away. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

honeymonster · Post by **honeymonster** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:45 pm

Sometimes it is necessary to fasten a batten to the wall first, perhaps a piece of 2"*1" timber or similar and then fasten the rail to the batten. It can also help if you drill the holes without using hammer action as this can cause vibrations that can loosen the surrounding material.

Pre drilling the holes with a smaller drill first can sometimes help!

muttley · Post by **muttley** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:23 pm

Thanks, How can i secure the batten? Should i glue it?

honeymonster · Post by **honeymonster** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:27 pm

It is best if you can get at least a couple of screws and wall plugs or similar fasteners to hold it in place but if the curtain rail and curtains are not too heavy you can secure the batten in place using an instant grab adhesive such as no more nails etc.

Make sure that the adhesive is gluing the batten directly to the plaster and not the wall paper!

Best to use a combination of grab adhesive and some screws and wall plugs if possible though!

muttley · Post by **muttley** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 8:19 am

It is one of those double metal poles which hold net curtains and heavy curtains. I filled the holes with polyfilla but when i tried to drill it again i got the same problem. I have tried longer screws but it didn't work. Do you think using long nails might work?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 8:59 am

Hi Muttley,

Welcome to the forum!

Those types of rails are never easy to fit especially if you are having the problems that you are having!

Is it possible to move the rail a bit higher in order to try and get a good fixing?

You really need a good fixing for those rails or they have a nasty trick of faling off the wall. The only real option is to get a really good fixing with some long screws and wall plugs, or if the wall behind is brick you could try some masonry screws like these- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/F&F_M ... SCREWS.htm

It is important that you use the correct size drill for the screw though!

Best of luck

muttley · Post by **muttley** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 10:34 pm

Thanks everyone. I finally got there by using extra long screws. I never considered the possibility that the ones supplied might be useless. Better luck next time hopefully.

Gadget · Post by **Gadget** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 10:47 pm

muttley wrote:Thanks everyone. I finally got there by using extra long screws. I never considered the possibility that the ones supplied might be useless. Better luck next time hopefully.

Thats why a lot of suppliers don't include fixings with the kit, because no two fixing locations are the same. That way it's left up to the customer to select the most suitable way to fix the product to the wall etc!!