Posted 31 October 2023

How to know where to drill. Am going mad

So I need to drill holes to put some top fixing for my blind in a window recess. I understand that there's some lintel that supports the window. My question though is ... where is it? I've drilled 8 holes with no avail at different depths and places along the top area. Thanks for helping a fellow BM out.


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  1. MadeDixonsCry's avatar
    The lintel is likely the whole way through. Need a proper drill or some diy wizardry and patience (which didnt work for me).

    wizardry video
  2. Pandamansays's avatar
    I always try to avoid the lintel if possible.
  3. PS5's avatar
    I would just move house
    MadeDixonsCry's avatar
    I would just buy an XboX
  4. slimy31's avatar
    I am a little confused to be fair. Lintels (in my house at least) are big steel H bars that will most likely defy any attempts to drill into them. But blinds aren't heavy, a decent plasterboard fixing (especially with four holes) will be plenty to fix it. If you've not hit the lintel then I consider that a win, just get some Fischer plugs or similar decent quality fixings and put the blind up?
  5. Renoir64's avatar
    I had a similar problem.
    After much swearing and shouting these did the trick in very shallow holes.
    amazon.co.uk/WET…-37
  6. MonkeyMan90's avatar
    I think you should just pay a handyman before you butcher your walls anymore
  7. Doug_'s avatar
    Perhaps fix it to a vertical surface on the wall or window frame.
  8. emmatthew's avatar
    51323681-h6uHR.jpgDrill into your existing holes with a HSS drill bit like this.


    51323681-CipY8.jpgThen screw into that hole you have drilled into the lintel with self tappers. Ensure you get the correct length to reach the lintel. I would guess 1.5” will probably be about right. (edited)
  9. darlodge's avatar
    Lintels aren't all equal. I've got wood (original house ones), concrete and steel (new ones).

    It could be the lintel is hidden above a dot and DBA plasterboard so could be 20mm+ before you hit it.

    As was said though, I usually try and avoid the lintel and use the solid brick around the lintel if possible.

    The clip you show seems to be the optional support bracket in the middle rather than the end supports. Did the ends install okay? (edited)
    siliconbits's avatar
    Author
    I got unlucky in that I gave the exact measurements. Adding the end supports adds a few millimeters each side which makes it too narrow.
  10. ahammert's avatar
    Could also be a catnic (info). The holes look to be in line with the cavity. As said above, blinds are light weight so good plasterboard fixings would probably be OK.
  11. IAmATeaf's avatar
    Are you hitting the lintel or are you hitting a cavity? If a cavity then try plasterboard fittings, if hitting something hard then you need a metal bit to drill through so that you can then insert a rawlplug.
    siliconbits's avatar
    Author
    I hit the lintel and its about 20mm deep.
  12. melted's avatar
    Are you hitting concrete, steel, or a void above plasterboard.

    If the lintel is concrete, then you want a SDS drill (electro-pneumatic) and SDS drill bit, which will drill through it like it was made of cheese.

    If metal, then you need to swap to a HSS twist bit to get through the metal and use self tapping metal screws.

    If it is a void behind plasterboard, then use plasterboard fittings.
    siliconbits's avatar
    Author
    Steel. 20mm deep roughly.
  13. siliconbits's avatar
    Author
    The conclusion to this saga. I trimmed the blinds by 10mm (5 each side) and put the support on the (vertical) walls with a central support in the middle using shallow wall plugs (20mm) and thicker than usual screws. It seems to be holding.
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