Hanging the flat screen TV on the wall is an experience that satisfies the aesthetic taste. With the spread of flat, plasma or LED screens, new high-resolution televisions are increasingly wall-mounted, as the operation is in fact relatively easy and inexpensive. A solid and durable mounting bracket costs only 50 to 100 Euros, and in this article you will find instructions on how to proceed with the assembly.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Secure the Mounting Bracket to the TV
Step 1. Obtain an appropriate size bracket from your electrical retailer or online
A salesperson will be able to give you directions for purchasing a bracket of the right size for your TV. Each commercially available size can be used to mount screens of different sizes, within certain parameters.
-
For example, you can get a bracket that can be used to mount screens from 32 to 50 inches to the wall, which can be used with any TV that falls into these formats, unless otherwise indicated in the specific manufacturer's manual.
Mount a Flat Screen TV Step 1Bullet1
Step 2. Remove the TV base, if still inserted
If it is a new purchase, do not insert the cradle, otherwise you will have to disassemble it again.
Step 3. Lay the TV screen side down on a soft, smooth surface
If you have trouble placing the device on the screen, check the manufacturer's manual, as some suggest inserting the bracket while the screen points up.
Step 4. Locate the four holes to secure the bracket to the TV
If necessary, remove any hole covers that have been inserted where the screws are to be screwed
Step 5. Align the bracket with the holes, positioning it correctly as indicated in the mounting instructions
Step 6. Use a screwdriver to secure the bracket to the TV with the screws provided
The bracket must be firmly screwed on, with no gaps or movement. If necessary, you can use the shims often provided, to ensure the best possible bracket.
Part 2 of 2: Mount the TV on the Wall
Step 1. Locate beams and posts
Mark the center of the uprights you are going to screw onto. The wooden posts in all modern homes are about 4 cm thick; in older ones, the thickness could be greater, between 4, 5 and 5 cm. You must necessarily screw each hexagonal screw on a post because a TV is too heavy to be supported only by the wall, whether it is a plasterboard panel or simply plaster. Also, if the riser is wooden (some are metal), you need to screw in the center. If you insert the screws closer to the edge, the wood could crack and the dowel would have no strength.
- The best way to locate beams or uprights is to use a special tool or search for cables, which you may decide to rent or buy one, as these are tools that don't cost that much.
- Cable hunters, especially the cheaper ones, and especially if you're dealing with plaster and not plasterboard walls, aren't accurate enough to ensure they locate the exact center of a stud. Consequently, you will need to make a few test holes around the point indicated by the tool. The test holes are used to identify the wood and that is the only guarantee you have available.
- Without a cable finder, you can knock on the wall until you find a solid spot, then drill a hole to find the exact location of the riser.
-
Using the bracket as a guide and keeping it aligned with a spirit level, mark where to drill the holes. It may not be necessary to use a spirit level, as certain sized brackets have one built in.
Mount a Flat Screen TV Step 8
Attention: Drill holes only slightly deeper than the wall thickness. You could risk damaging cables or pipes passing close to the riser.
Step 2. Drill holes in the wall, using a bit of the right size for the dowel you need to use, possibly narrower and never wider so as not to compromise the seal
Step 3. Place the bracket on the wall and screw in the anchors using pliers or a socket wrench
- To make sure it is level, fit a dowel and check it. Check that all the other holes are also aligned, and if they are not, make the necessary adjustments to correct.
-
Make two holes in the wall if you want to hide the cables. Be careful not to cut the cable as you go.
Mount a Flat Screen TV Step 11Bullet1 -
Make a square hole in the middle of the bracket. This type of bracket should have a square hole for this purpose.
Mount a Flat Screen TV Step 11Bullet2 -
Make another square hole in the wall about 30 cm. This hole may be smaller than the previous one.
Mount a Flat Screen TV Step 11Bullet3 - Run the cables from hole to hole. Use a special guide to make this easier for you.
Step 4. Take the TV and hang it on the bracket
Tighten the screws that secure the TV to the bracket so that it is securely mounted. You may need another person's help for this step.
Step 5. Before letting go of the TV completely, make sure the bracket is holding the weight, then plug the cables into the sockets and turn it on to check if it works
Step 6. Finished
At this point the assembly operation is completed successfully!
Advice
- Be careful not to drill holes in a wall where there may be water pipes, electrical cables or other.
- To avoid visible wires, place the bracket and TV as close as possible to an existing power outlet and antenna.
- The whole assembly operation is much easier if done with the help of someone.
Warnings
- Make sure you insert the wall plugs and screw in the screws carefully, and that the whole structure is solid and strong, so as to prevent annoying accidents that could damage the TV and even the wall.
- Again, make sure you don't drill into walls where pipes or cables run!
