Installing wall mount (1 Viewer)

[CB750]

I purchased a Simplicity SXDP3 tilting wall mount for my 52" Sony, and am getting conflicting directions as to how to mount this on a brick wall with mortar joints. When I say brick wall I mean 2 1/2 x 8" bricks set in mortar.

The Simplicity instructions and video show the installation on a cinder block wall with 1/2" lead anchor bolts drilled into the large 8"x18" blocks. They remmend four bolts on the top and two on the bottom. It says never set the lead anchor bolts in the mortar drill the holes into the brick. However, the manager at the AV store that also does professional installation said that I should install the lead lag bolts in the mortar of the brick. His logic was that most brick used in walls has lots of holes in the center and to drill 1/2" hole into it could cause the brick to fall apart. I tend to agree with him as that is how bricks are made these days. However, I do also know that the strength of mater joints can very due to the amount and quality of mortar used.

Does anyone have any recommendations or real life experiences to share.

 

[Ernest]

It is difficult to make suggestions without viewing the job site. Based on your description it makes more sense to drill holes into the brick rather than the mortar. The lead anchors pounded into the brick will completely fill in the hole and make a real strong bond within the brick. Pounding the anchors into the mortar could cause the mortar to crack and over time result in the mount pulling away from the wall.

Using a drill/driver to drill the holes will result in a rough opening, not smooth like drilling in wood. That is what you want so when you pound in the anchor the lead fills in the cavity and it becomes almost impossible to remove. There is a special toll used to pound in the anchor which resembles a metal tube with a center prong. The center prong fits inside the anchor while outside diameter smashes the anchor into the cavity during the pounding. You have approximately 150 - 175 pounds between the mount and LCD so you want to make sure those anchors are properly seated. Good luck.

 

[Ernest]

k.

 

[CB750]

Thanks Ernest,

My concern and that expressed by the manager at the AV store was the possibility of the brick breaking apart when I drilled a 1/2" hole into it. As you know bricks used to construct what is called Brick Veneer walls may not be solid and could have many holes in it like a honeycomb.

On the other hand Mortar in most cases is also not a ideal because that too can fall apart when you drill into and it can crack under pressure. I have set numerous lead anchors using the tool you desirable into mortar and sometimes they work and sometimes they don't I have also set machinery bolts into concrete using Hydraulic semimat that set up in 5 minutes and is rock hard in 1/2 hour.

With all the members on this fourm I would believe that someone has successfully mounted a 52" LCD on a brick fireplace wall.