Have just been drilling into a dividing wall in a 1936 terraced house in
London, to hang up a cupboard in the bedroom.

What I'm drilling into is almost like soft sand. I guess it must be some
kind of breeze block mortar that has deteriorated? The only thoughts I have
is to pack some polyfilla around the rawlplug to fill in the hole and get
some grip. Is that a good idea? Novice appreciates any advice on what best
to do. thanks.

"torge conrad maguar" wrote:
Have just been drilling into a dividing wall in a 1936 terraced house in
London, to hang up a cupboard in the bedroom.

What I'm drilling into is almost like soft sand. I guess it must be some
kind of breeze block mortar that has deteriorated? The only thoughts I
have is to pack some polyfilla around the rawlplug to fill in the hole and
get some grip. Is that a good idea? Novice appreciates any advice on
what best to do. thanks.

Unlikely to be breeze block in a 1936 property, and breeze block doesn't
usually deteriorate with age. You are most likely drilling into the mortar
between the bricks. You can't put filler around a wall plug and expect it to
stick. The easiest and safest solution is to hang the cupboard in a slightly
different lateral or vertical position; wall plugs should be fixed in brick.

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
torge conrad maguar wrote:

Have just been drilling into a dividing wall in a 1936 terraced house
in London, to hang up a cupboard in the bedroom.

What I'm drilling into is almost like soft sand. I guess it must be
some kind of breeze block mortar that has deteriorated? The only
thoughts I have is to pack some polyfilla around the rawlplug to fill
in the hole and get some grip. Is that a good idea? Novice
appreciates any advice on what best to do. thanks.

How many holes have you drilled, and are they *all* the same? If you've only
drilled one or two it's possible that you've just been unlucky and hit a
mortar joint. You could try moving your fixing points a couple of inches
diagonally and see whether you then get something a bit more solid.

Actually, when you say a 'dividing' wall, do you mean the party wall between
two houses or simply an internal wall between two rooms? If the latter, it
could be a stud partition covered with lath and plaster. Does the wall sound
hollow if you tap it with your knuckle? If it is this sort of wall, you'll
need to drill a lot of small test holes to find where the structural timbers
are, and then screw into those.
--
Cheers,
Roger
______
Email address maintained for newsgroup use only, and not regularly
monitored.. Messages sent to it may not be read for several weeks.
PLEASE REPLY TO NEWSGROUP!

In article , "torge conrad maguar" wrote:
Have just been drilling into a dividing wall in a 1936 terraced house in
London, to hang up a cupboard in the bedroom.

What I'm drilling into is almost like soft sand. I guess it must be some
kind of breeze block mortar that has deteriorated? The only thoughts I have
is to pack some polyfilla around the rawlplug to fill in the hole and get
some grip. Is that a good idea? Novice appreciates any advice on what best
to do. thanks.

Interesting questions. As Churchill said, the U.S. and the U.K. are "two
nations divided by a common language."

So help this American understand what you're talking about, please.
What is a breeze block? What is a rawlplug? What is polyfilla?

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Doug Miller wrote:


Interesting questions. As Churchill said, the U.S. and the U.K. are
"two
nations divided by a common language."

So help this American understand what you're talking about, please.
What is a breeze block?

A building block, typically measuring 18" x 9" - used in bits of walls which
don't show - typically for the inner skin of a cavity wall. Original ones
made of furnace ash and cement or somesuch. Current ones much lighter in
weight, and with good insulating properties. Much faster to build than
bricks since each block takes the place of 6 bricks.


What is a rawlplug?

Originally a fibre plug, inserted into a drilled hole in brickwork to allow
a screw to be screwed in. Rawlplug is/was a trade name
- but is now used generically for any such plug. Modern plugs are made of
plastic.


What is polyfilla?

A powder which, when mixed with water, makes a plaster-like substance for
filling cracks in walls.

HTH!
--
Cheers,
Roger
______
Email address maintained for newsgroup use only, and not regularly
monitored.. Messages sent to it may not be read for several weeks.
PLEASE REPLY TO NEWSGROUP!

In article , "Roger Mills" wrote:
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Doug Miller wrote:


Interesting questions. As Churchill said, the U.S. and the U.K. are
"two nations divided by a common language."

So help this American understand what you're talking about, please.
What is a breeze block?

A building block, typically measuring 18" x 9" - used in bits of walls which
don't show - typically for the inner skin of a cavity wall. Original ones
made of furnace ash and cement or somesuch. Current ones much lighter in
weight, and with good insulating properties. Much faster to build than
bricks since each block takes the place of 6 bricks.

Gotcha. We call that a cinder block (even though they're *now* made with
concrete), but ours are 16" x 8".


What is a rawlplug?

Originally a fibre plug, inserted into a drilled hole in brickwork to allow
a screw to be screwed in. Rawlplug is/was a trade name
- but is now used generically for any such plug. Modern plugs are made of
plastic.

Gotcha. We use the same things here, but I have no idea what they're called.

What is polyfilla?

A powder which, when mixed with water, makes a plaster-like substance for
filling cracks in walls.

I guess that's a trade name, too?

HTH!

Yeah -- thanks!

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

"Doug Miller" wrote in message
t...
In article , "Roger Mills"
wrote:
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Doug Miller wrote:


Interesting questions. As Churchill said, the U.S. and the U.K. are
"two nations divided by a common language."

So help this American understand what you're talking about, please.
What is a breeze block?

A building block, typically measuring 18" x 9" - used in bits of walls
which
don't show - typically for the inner skin of a cavity wall. Original ones
made of furnace ash and cement or somesuch. Current ones much lighter in
weight, and with good insulating properties. Much faster to build than
bricks since each block takes the place of 6 bricks.

Gotcha. We call that a cinder block (even though they're *now* made with
concrete), but ours are 16" x 8".


What is a rawlplug?

Originally a fibre plug, inserted into a drilled hole in brickwork to
allow
a screw to be screwed in. Rawlplug is/was a trade name
- but is now used generically for any such plug. Modern plugs are made of
plastic.

Gotcha. We use the same things here, but I have no idea what they're
called.

What is polyfilla?

A powder which, when mixed with water, makes a plaster-like substance for
filling cracks in walls.

I guess that's a trade name, too?


Poly**** is a the genus name for a proprietary collection of gooey stuff;
including -but not limited to;-
Polycell - wallpaper paste
Polyclens - paint brush cleaner
Polyfila - plaster for filling minor cracks. holes in plastered walls
PolySmooth - plaster for skimming larger areas
--- plus lots of others ...
Brits have a tendency to use a 'specific' brand name-item for the generic;
thus we 'hoover' the carpet - even using a Dyson.

--

Brian

In article , "Brian Sharrock" wrote:

Brits have a tendency to use a 'specific' brand name-item for the generic;
thus we 'hoover' the carpet - even using a Dyson.

Happens here, too. The most prominent examples I can think of a
- Facial tissues (for blowing one's nose, or wiping one's eyeglasses).
Everyone here calls them Kleenex. Nobody ever asks for a "facial tissue".
- Photocopiers. Most commonly referred to as Xerox machines, even if made by
Canon, Rico, etc.
- Carbonated cola beverage. Usually called a Coke. Even if it's a Pepsi.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Doug Miller wrote:
In article , "Roger Mills" wrote:
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Doug Miller wrote:

Interesting questions. As Churchill said, the U.S. and the U.K. are
"two nations divided by a common language."

So help this American understand what you're talking about, please.
What is a breeze block?
A building block, typically measuring 18" x 9" - used in bits of walls which
don't show - typically for the inner skin of a cavity wall. Original ones
made of furnace ash and cement or somesuch. Current ones much lighter in
weight, and with good insulating properties. Much faster to build than
bricks since each block takes the place of 6 bricks.

Gotcha. We call that a cinder block (even though they're *now* made with
concrete), but ours are 16" x 8".

What is a rawlplug?
Originally a fibre plug, inserted into a drilled hole in brickwork to allow
a screw to be screwed in. Rawlplug is/was a trade name
- but is now used generically for any such plug. Modern plugs are made of
plastic.

Gotcha. We use the same things here, but I have no idea what they're called.
What is polyfilla?
A powder which, when mixed with water, makes a plaster-like substance for
filling cracks in walls.

I guess that's a trade name, too?
HTH!

Yeah -- thanks!


If you've got crumbly walls, a tub of car body filler from Halfords
would be a good investment. Sets in 5 minutes so you can get on with the
job.

"Doug Miller" wrote in message
t...
In article , "Roger Mills"
wrote:
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Doug Miller wrote:


Interesting questions. As Churchill said, the U.S. and the U.K. are
"two nations divided by a common language."

So help this American understand what you're talking about, please.
What is a breeze block?

A building block, typically measuring 18" x 9" - used in bits of walls
which
don't show - typically for the inner skin of a cavity wall. Original ones
made of furnace ash and cement or somesuch. Current ones much lighter in
weight, and with good insulating properties. Much faster to build than
bricks since each block takes the place of 6 bricks.

Gotcha. We call that a cinder block (even though they're *now* made with
concrete), but ours are 16" x 8".

Actually cinder blocks and concrete blocks were and still are made from two
different materials. Cinder blocks used "clinkers" from coal fired
locomotives and industrial steam boilers, mixed with portland cement and
sand to form a lightweight version of concrete. Lightweight blocks are still
manufacturered for internal firewalls and such, using steel mill slag and
other lightweight agegates. They were never intended for outdoor use or
inground use. Concrete blocks used the standard sand, gravel and portland
cement for high strength and weather resistance.


What is a rawlplug?

Originally a fibre plug, inserted into a drilled hole in brickwork to
allow
a screw to be screwed in. Rawlplug is/was a trade name
- but is now used generically for any such plug. Modern plugs are made of
plastic.

Gotcha. We use the same things here, but I have no idea what they're
called.

Used to be called Rawlplug in North America when they were made of a
fiberous material. My experience has shown that plastic plugs don't hold
much at all, they are just too slippery to form a solid anchor. If you have
solid timbers in the wall use longer screws. If you have masonry building
units in the wall get some Tapcon screws or the equivelent in a length that
will solidly hold in the masonry.

What is polyfilla?

A powder which, when mixed with water, makes a plaster-like substance for
filling cracks in walls.

I guess that's a trade name, too?

Pollyfilla, still made in North America, they make floor leveling, wall
patching, spackles and other plaster type supplies. My local big box store
stocks them.


HTH!

Yeah -- thanks!

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Doug Miller wrote:

What is a rawlplug?
Originally a fibre plug, inserted into a drilled hole in brickwork to allow
a screw to be screwed in. Rawlplug is/was a trade name
- but is now used generically for any such plug. Modern plugs are made of
plastic.

Gotcha. We use the same things here, but I have no idea what they're called.
Anchors


--
change nospam to f2s in e-mail

"Doug Miller" wrote in message
t...
In article , "torge conrad
maguar" wrote:
Have just been drilling into a dividing wall in a 1936 terraced house in
London, to hang up a cupboard in the bedroom.

What I'm drilling into is almost like soft sand. I guess it must be some
kind of breeze block mortar that has deteriorated? The only thoughts I
have
is to pack some polyfilla around the rawlplug to fill in the hole and get
some grip. Is that a good idea? Novice appreciates any advice on what
best
to do. thanks.

Interesting questions. As Churchill said, the U.S. and the U.K. are "two
nations divided by a common language."

So help this American understand what you're talking about, please.
What is a breeze block?

Similar to cinder block. A soft grey building block, about 12" x 8", mainly
used for interior walls. We also have a similar product called "Thermalite"
blocks.

Generally, they are all known as breeze blocks.

I've seen similar blocks in the USA (I'm sad enough to visit DIY stores like
"Home Depot" on holiday!!!

What is a rawlplug?

A plastic plug you use to fix to a masonry wall. You drill an oversize hole,
fit a rawlplug, then screw into the rawlplug which expands to grip the hole.
Rawlplug is a trade name for the (at one time) most famous brand. These
days there are many makes. You need special types for use in breeze blocks.

What is polyfilla?

Another trade name for a general purpose, plaster based, filler. I think
you call it "spackle" ?

--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk

Now your amateur licence is free, why not send at least £15 per year to
support the
Radio Communications Foundation or STELAR?

"Doug Miller" wrote:
Interesting questions. As Churchill said, the U.S. and the U.K. are "two
nations divided by a common language."

So help this American understand what you're talking about, please.
What is a breeze block? What is a rawlplug? What is polyfilla?

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Breeze block is concrete building blocks, an alternative to clay bricks
(http://static.flickr.com/11/12792451_e0e15b63fb_m.jpg). A Rawlplug is a
plastic plug for insertion into a hole drilled in masonry to take screws
that form their own thread in the plastic
(http://www.tooled-up.com/artwork/ProdImage/TB29128.jpg). Polyfilla is a
powder that is mixed with water to fill holes and cracks in wood, plaster
etcetera, also comes as a ready mixed paste in a tub or tube. Can be sanded
smooth when dry, then painted.

Doug Miller wrote:
In article , "torge conrad maguar" wrote:
Have just been drilling into a dividing wall in a 1936 terraced house in
London, to hang up a cupboard in the bedroom.

What I'm drilling into is almost like soft sand. I guess it must be some
kind of breeze block mortar that has deteriorated? The only thoughts I have
is to pack some polyfilla around the rawlplug to fill in the hole and get
some grip. Is that a good idea? Novice appreciates any advice on what best
to do. thanks.

Interesting questions. As Churchill said, the U.S. and the U.K. are "two
nations divided by a common language."

So help this American understand what you're talking about, please.
What is a breeze block? What is a rawlplug? What is polyfilla?

Breeze block is a sort of low density brick block made of coal power
station slag..sometimes called a cinder block. A rwawlplug is a trade
name for originally a fiber plug inserted into masonry to take a wood
screw. Now universally plastic.

Polyfilla is a trade name for (iriginally) a cellulose based
filler..somewhat like 'spackle' ..its now a tradename for a huge variety
of filling products..

torge conrad maguar wrote:
Have just been drilling into a dividing wall in a 1936 terraced house in
London, to hang up a cupboard in the bedroom.

What I'm drilling into is almost like soft sand. I guess it must be some
kind of breeze block mortar that has deteriorated? The only thoughts I have
is to pack some polyfilla around the rawlplug to fill in the hole and get
some grip. Is that a good idea? Novice appreciates any advice on what best
to do. thanks.



Its not a bad idea, though sand and cement mortar is better. Often pays
to make quite a large hole, paint it with THICK PVA, slap in the mortar
and push the plug into that leaving a matchstick sticking out, then when
set make good with plaster and paint..then pull the matchstick out and
screw whatever into the hole.