AdminWhether you have purchased your television from Currys or John Lewis, or are upgrading an old TV that’s already in the home, tv installation is an important step to take to ensure the television sits comfortably and securely. A sloping TV or one mounted too high may not only look bad but can also cause neck pain, especially for viewers sitting down to watch it.
While it is possible to do a DIY tv wall mount, it’s advisable to have at least one other person to help with the process. While most modern TVs are light, they can still be heavy enough that handling them without assistance could lead to damage. It’s also best to be sure that you’re not drilling through pipes or cables that would be a hazard.
Before starting, remove the stand from your TV (unless it’s already attached to the mounting frame) and mark where you’d like to place it on the wall with a pencil or piece of tape. It’s also a good idea to test out the viewing angles from your usual seating position, particularly in rooms where people will be watching from different positions.
Next, locate the studs in your walls with a stud finder. These are the vertical wooden support beams that run along hollow walls and are usually spaced at regular intervals. Using a stud finder will ensure that you’re only drilling into a solid surface, rather than an empty hole or brick. A stud finder will also alert you to any electrical wires or plumbing running through the wall, so you’ll know not to drill into these.
Once you’ve marked where you want your mount, you’ll need to prepare the back of your TV for attachment. Depending on your mount, this might be as simple as finding the bolt holes and removing the plastic coverings or screws that hold them in place. Regardless, you’ll need to have the right sized bolts for your TV. Most mounts use a standardised pattern, called VESA, that you can easily identify by the reinforced screw holes on the back of your TV or monitor.
Once you’ve found the right bolts, fit them loosely to the wall mount and then secure them with a wrench. Most mounts come in two parts so, at this stage, it’s a good idea to have your partner handy to hold the TV up while you connect them together. You’ll probably need to tighten these further once your TV is in its final position.