I'm in a new apartment (built 1 year ago) and I am trying to hang a wall mirror (about 50-ish pounds). I've tried 2 different sizes of drywall anchors but the anchors only reach about 1/2inch into the wall before resistance pushes them back out. I'm not on any studs and I can't see anything in the wall that could be causing the issue. It's a shared wall with one of the building's stairwells. The only thing I can think of is there may be some sort of reinforcement behind the drywall for the stairwell. Has anyone encountered this problem before or know how to solve the problem? Maybe a drill could put screws in the wall and hold just as well since the anchors don't seem to be useful in this situation?
Drywall anchor can’t fully penetrate drywall
anchordrywalldrywall-anchor
Related Solutions
If you really want to securely hold objects that heavy to the wall using magnets, I think you need to be working with sheet metal on top of the drywall (or in place of the drywall).
The magnetic force will fall off very quickly with distance away from the plate, so even skim-coating with plaster will dramatically reduce the holding power of the magnet.
If you want the surface to blend in with the surrounding walls (you didn't actually state the finish on the walls, but I'm assuming it's painted sheetrock or plaster), try simply painting the steel sheet to match. The texture of the finish might be slightly different, but I'd imagine it wouldn't take away from the feeling that it "blends in" with the surrounding walls.
As others have stated, I'd also consider a polycarbonate mirror rather than glass.
My opinion of the anchors that you posted is pretty low. There are far better anchors available than those. As a matter of fact those anchors are touted to be for "solid material walls, floors and ceilings". I personally do not consider drywall to be a particularly solid material in the same way that wood, brick or concrete would be.
Your wall is probably made up two layers of 1/2" drywall to be both a fire stop and sound deadening between the neighbors unit and yours.
If I were to be hanging a heavy mirror on 1" thickness surface drywall I would look at toggle type anchors that look like this:
Related Topic
- Drywall – Drilling through drywall, hitting thestery object
- Drywall – Regarding wall anchor specifications
- Drywall – What are the best practice in drilling anchor screw holes in right locations
- Drywall – Identifying Wall Type and Need for Anchors
- Lighting – Using ceiling hook with no joist or anchor/toggle? Is it ok to do for string lights? What hook to use
Best Answer
You may be hitting a block fire wall. Many types of hangers out there. Do not recommend making holes in firewall.