Sloppy rawl in brickwork

[Random Orbital Bob]

Hi folks

I'm looking for a quick tip on how to sure up an over size hole in brickwork such that the rawl plug has got sloppy. Its the brass backplate to an outside tap....the fixing is now getting perilously loose

I'm assuming the quickest, easiest route is just go one rawl size and one screw size up? If that's true, what's after brown plugs? Red is 6mm, brown 7... What's after that? I've never seen an 8mm rawl??

Any other cracking inside secrets gratefully received (I don't want to get into winding newspaper round the threads etc....want a permanent and strong solution if poss). Incidentally, due to tap location I can't re drill new location, has to be in old, sloppy holes

Many thanks

 

[stevenw1963]

Stick a matchstick or sliver of wood in before the rawl plug.

 

[Racers]

Bigger plug or 2 of the same size hammered in.

Pete

 

[monkeybiter]

Some browns are 8mm, but will that be enough?

Could you fill the empty hole with Araldite or similar, then either drill and screw into that or push a plug in and screw into the plug?

 

[carlb40]

Sand / cement mix pushed into the hole. Push the plug in and wait till it's cured before refitting the screw. Or as above with the epoxy, but again wait till it has cured. Next plug up is the blue, then grey.

 

[bugbear]

I have a dim memory of some fibrous "mush" that does the same thing as rawlplugs, and might suit a silly shape hole.

You can also get special rawl plugs for aerated breeze block (AKA thermalite) that might suit soft old bricks.

BugBear

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Great guys

Many thanks for that....fast response too. Most appreciated

 

[Dangermouse]

You can get a chemical filler that's as hard as the brick and can be drilled, comes in a cartridge with long nozzle.
here it is on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Everbuild-Anc ... 2eb905895e

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Everbuild-FEB ... 43b80dd141

 

[oakfield]

I normally have a tube of gripfill open so a squirt of that on the hole, push a plug into it, let it set and then screw in as normal.

 

[AndyT]

I have a dim memory of some fibrous "mush" that does the same thing as rawlplugs, and might suit a silly shape hole.

BugBear

BB if my dim memory matches yours it was Rawlplastic - excellent stuff - Flickr image here.

I remember helping my dad by mixing it up with spit in the palm of my hand - but as it contained quite a lot of loose asbestos fibres, it is no longer on sale! ;-)

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I normally have a tube of gripfill open so a squirt of that on the hole, push a plug into it, let it set and then screw in as normal.

Any of the water based adhesives work well indoors, just be sure the hole's clean.

 

[Graham Orm]

Can't believe the complex options suggested for a simple 2 minute fix. Whittle a plug of wood and hammer in tight, trim with sharp chisel, better than any plastic plug, & fits any hole.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've seen too many wooden plugs fall/get pulled out, and anyway, water tracks through them when used externally.

 

[Jelly]

I've seen too many wooden plugs fall/get pulled out, and anyway, water tracks through them when used externally.

My parents (cast iron) guttering was secured by wooden wedges into the brickwork either side of the brackets... until last year when after 110 years enough of the unprotected wooden wedges had finally given out and the whole run of cast guttering came down :shock:

 

[Steve Maskery]

I'd go with the bigger plug option. Both 8mm and 10mm are available, quick, easy, cheap and good.
S

 

[carlb40]

I've seen too many wooden plugs fall/get pulled out, and anyway, water tracks through them when used externally.

My parents (cast iron) guttering was secured by wooden wedges into the brickwork either side of the brackets... until last year when after 110 years enough of the unprotected wooden wedges had finally given out and the whole run of cast guttering came down :shock:

Ahhh the good old days, back when timber was made properly :lol:

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

You can get a chemical filler that's as hard as the brick and can be drilled, comes in a cartridge with long nozzle.
here it is on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Everbuild-Anc ... 2eb905895e

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Everbuild-FEB ... 43b80dd141

Looks good...never sen those before...thanks

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Can't believe the complex options suggested for a simple 2 minute fix. Whittle a plug of wood and hammer in tight, trim with sharp chisel, better than any plastic plug, & fits any hole.

and then screw directly into that you mean?

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

I'd go with the bigger plug option. Both 8mm and 10mm are available, quick, easy, cheap and good.
S

Yup intuitively I'm inclined to agree. I know the chemical approach (Gripfill et al) sounds good in theory but it reminds of those adverts on polyfilla years ago.....capable of taking a screw once its gone off...bollox was it!!

Ive used gripfill dozens of times to secure skirting, dado rails etc...but I think if I were going down the chemical route I'd do a muck mix, re fill the hole....go off then redrill.

A larger plug seems ideal. Trouble is I love the idea of whittling a piece of wood and mullering it in....it has a certain "Dad would have done that" about it. And I dont have any of the larger plugs...which means a trip to.....now where's that stanley knife

Thanks to all who have posted....brilliant this forum....solution choices or what....much appreciated all

 

[Graham Orm]

I'd go with the bigger plug option. Both 8mm and 10mm are available, quick, easy, cheap and good.
S

Yup intuitively I'm inclined to agree. I know the chemical approach (Gripfill et al) sounds good in theory but it reminds of those adverts on polyfilla years ago.....capable of taking a screw once its gone off...pea's was it!!

Ive used gripfill dozens of times to secure skirting, dado rails etc...but I think if I were going down the chemical route I'd do a muck mix, re fill the hole....go off then redrill.

A larger plug seems ideal. Trouble is I love the idea of whittling a piece of wood and mullering it in....it has a certain "Dad would have done that" about it. And I dont have any of the larger plugs...which means a trip to.....now where's that stanley knife

Thanks to all who have posted....brilliant this forum....solution choices or what....much appreciated all

You might find with a bigger plug that the screw required wont fit through the tiny holes on the back plate of the tap. I stand by the wooden plug. If it doesn't last 10 years I will personally come and sort it for you. (See Terms and conditions)