Mounting a TV on a wall w/ no studs

[MrRoy]

So I bought the mount, the stud finder, marked what i thought were my studs, started to drill my pilot hole and in 2 inches I hit my outside wall (concrete). None too happy. I can't change my wall due to ceiling lights which make one wall the focal wall, so does anyone know of any mounting options that I don't have to anchor to studs? I have a 40" Sony Bravia.

[SS316SRV]

So you have 2" of dry wall, then concrete?

[MrRoy]

I would say 1/2" drywall, 1 1/2" of nothing then concrete. The drill went through whatever is inside the wall too easily to think there is anything else.

[amtctt]

is it concrete or cinder block. either way, i'd just get bolts made for that and anchor right into that. i've done that with a 19" crt tv. works fine.

[chriso_86]

Either way you have to get it mounted to the concrete somehow. I would never trust that much weight to drywall. Or if you don't want to mess with it go buy a stand with with a wall mount type setup for a similar look.

[MrRoy]

I live in a condo and I can't just drill in the outside wall w/ out board approval and that is an act of Congress, so that is out of the question. I just bought my tv stand a couple months ago and I don't want to replace it. It is nice. If I have to live with what I have, that isn't the end of the world either.

[Chris60119]

I'd never mount a tv. I hate to wake up with it on the floor.

[mr peepers]

Originally Posted by MrRoy

I would say 1/2" drywall, 1 1/2" of nothing then concrete. The drill went through whatever is inside the wall too easily to think there is anything else.

i might be missing something here, but that 1/2" drywall has to be screwed onto something.

im guessing you drilled into the cavity between 2 studs of some sort. that drywall cant just be hanging 1 1/2" off the concrete without it being screwed onto something.

your situation doesnt make any sense to me. take a small finish nail or something and tap a few more holes to find the studs or whatever that sheetrock is mounted to.

[MrRoy]

Yeah, that doesn't make sense. I just remodeled my bathroom, more like watched friends do it, so you would think I should know that (D'oh!). But even if the studs are laying the wrong way, there isn't enough to mount bolts to. I might just save the mount for another day.

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Originally Posted by MrRoy

Yeah, that doesn't make sense. I just remodeled my bathroom, more like watched friends do it, so you would think I should know that (D'oh!). But even if the studs are laying the wrong way, there isn't enough to mount bolts to. I might just save the mount for another day.

How are buildings made???? First comes the foundation, then comes the wooden structure, drywall, and stone/bricks. There must be wood behind your walls, you just have to figure it out where it is.

[My_Two_Cents]

Is this a common wall between you and a neighbor?

[Darth-Blu]

Originally Posted by Blu-ray Fanatic

How are buildings made???? First comes the foundation, then comes the wooden structure, drywall, and stone/bricks. There must be wood behind your walls, you just have to figure it out where it is.

Not all houses/condos are made that way. It sounds like cheap ass construction to me, but you may want to keep it safe and either have a pro. look at it, or just stick w/ the "stand" option. Either way, good luck.

[MrRoy]

If they put the effort into the front room that they did my bathroom, cheap-ass construction is correct. Oh...and it is an outside wall.

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Originally Posted by MrRoy

If they put the effort into the front room that they did my bathroom, cheap-ass construction is correct. Oh...and it is an outside wall.

Cheap construction, huh? Well, if a natural disaster were to hit your area, then I'll be outta there faster than you can blink your eye.

[MrRoy]

I live in an area near a city, so not too many weather related anythings hit here but thunderstorms. So, for now, I am safe.

[SkillzthatKillz]

Originally Posted by MrRoy

I live in an area near a city, so not too many weather related anythings hit here but thunderstorms. So, for now, I am safe.

thats what you think...(evil laugh)

[Footloose301]

**His building is built properly**

There are still pieces of 1x2" wood "furring strips" that go vertically which attach the drywall to the block surface. It's not "cheap ass construction". Its proper construction. A lot more strength than wood as well as adding more sound proofing.

The proper way to attach something heavy to concrete would be to use "Tapcons" They are blue colored heavy duty screws. We use these to attach windows and doors into concrete as well as many other uses. One bolt alone would hold the tv no problem. However, make sure to use 4 Tapcons. The holes must be pre-drilled too.

If you do not want to go this method just make sure you find those furring strips that run vertically every 16". Then you can mount to those. However, those are only 1x2" and if its on a common wall then they are 2x2". So make sure the screw DOESN'T GO ALL THE WAY thru, or else you'll be separating the furring strips from the concrete wall.

Good Luck.

[MrRoy]

There are too many things to go wrong with this, I am going to save the mount for another time and just leave well enough alone. Thanks for all of the input.

[Footloose301]

Originally Posted by MrRoy

There are too many things to go wrong with this, I am going to save the mount for another time and just leave well enough alone. Thanks for all of the input.

It is very easy. Wouldn't take you more than 30min to do and 4 Tapcons could hold your couch to the wall.

To each his own though.

http://www.tapcon.com/concreteAnchor.asp

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by MrRoy

So I bought the mount, the stud finder, marked what i thought were my studs, started to drill my pilot hole and in 2 inches I hit my outside wall (concrete). None too happy. I can't change my wall due to ceiling lights which make one wall the focal wall, so does anyone know of any mounting options that I don't have to anchor to studs? I have a 40" Sony Bravia.

I had this same issue in my bedroom. I was having serious problems with my studfinder because of the little wood planks(or whatever they are called) behind the drywall. The little wook planks are strong enough for speakers, but I didn't trust for my TV.

What you can do is fish for the stud now, since you already have a hole. Fish to the left and then to the right and see which stud is closer to your spot you want to hang your TV.

As mentioned before the studs are 16" apart, so you really should find one or the other alot less then 16" away from the hole already drilled.

Once you find the stud then move over 1/2 inch and that should be the center of the stud.