Help?! Heavy-Duty shelves on plasterboard. How to?

BrandNewDay

Hello! We've tried to hang some big bookshelves in the living room. But, before we'd even fully loaded the top shelf with stuff, it collapsed - the screws pulled out of the walls.

DH did use special anchors for hanging shelves, but they didn't seem to do the trick. We're using pretty heavy-duty brackets and big painted lengths of pine - not ready-made shelves.

Could somebody advise on how to really firmly anchor the brakets? What to look for at B&Q tomorow? Thanks!

BrandNewDay

Hey! Looks like I found a thread that deals with this perfectly!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=219631&highlight=shelves

andrew-b

I've used the plasterboard fixers (like those linked to in post 3 of the thread you found) in the past. Though where possible try and locate the studs the plasterboard is attached to and screw into those. Gentle tapping with your finger should tell you where the studs are and sawdust when drilling a hole will confirm it.

Andy

TimBuckTeeth

As recommended on the other thread, these are one of the best type to use :
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=11143

There is still a limit on the load though due to the strength of the plasterboard.
Try to put extra brackets on the shelf also to spread the load, which will also stop the shelf sagging, and if possible try to get at least one attached into a wooden stud behind the plasterboard.