TV installations gone wrong can be a proper nightmare. I’ve seen my fair share of botched jobs—crumbling plaster, cables hanging like jungle vines, and mounting brackets that look ready to surrender at any moment. The difference between DIY disasters & professional results often comes down to knowing how to treat your walls with respect while securing that heavy screen.
Professional installers don’t just hang televisions; they protect your home during the process. It’s an art form that combines technical know-how with careful preparation and specialisation techniques. After watching (and occasionally helping) several professional installations in my home over the years, I’ve noticed distinct methods that separate the experts from the amateurs.
These installation wizards have perfected techniques to mount your telly without turning your walls into a construction zone aftermath. Let’s examine the methods they use to keep wall damage to an absolute minimum while ensuring your TV stays firmly in place for years to come.
1. Thorough Wall Assessment Before Drilling
Expert installers NEVER just start drilling holes. They begin with a comprehensive assessment of your wall structure. Using electronic stud finders, they locate the wooden beams behind plasterboard to ensure the mounting bracket attaches to something substantial. They’ll tap gently on walls, listening for the subtle change in sound that indicates a stud versus hollow space.
I watched one installer use a small magnet on a string to locate the metal screws or nails in the studs—an old-school technique that’s surprisingly effective! They’re also checking for electrical cables and pipes that might be lurking behind the surface. Some pros even carry portable wall scanners that can detect pipes, wires, and other potential hazards.
This initial investigation may seem overly cautious, but it prevents the most common disasters: mounting to inadequate support, puncturing water pipes, or drilling through electrical cables. I once attempted a DIY installation and ended up with six unnecessary holes before finding a stud. A professional would have found it on the first try.
2. Using Specialized Drilling Techniques
When it comes time to make holes, professional installers don’t just grab any drill bit. They select precisely the right size for the job—never larger than necessary. Many use masking tape on the drill bit to mark the exact depth needed, preventing them from drilling too far into the wall.
For plasterboard walls, experts often drill at slower speeds to prevent the gypsum from crumbling. They apply steady, even pressure rather than forcing the drill. For concrete or brick walls, they might use hammer drills with dust extraction attachments that capture debris before it spreads throughout your room.
I’ve noticed professionals will sometimes drill a tiny pilot hole first to test the wall material before committing to full-sized holes. This seems like extra work, but it actually saves time & prevents damage when they encounter unexpected materials inside the wall. It’s this kind of caution that separates true professionals from cowboys.
3. Employing Appropriate Wall Anchors
Not all wall fixings are created equal. The pros carry a variety of anchors suitable for different wall types. For plasterboard without available studs, they’ll use toggle bolts, snap toggles, or molly bolts designed to distribute weight across a wider area of the fragile material.
For solid walls like brick or concrete, they select anchors specifically designed for masonry. The difference in holding strength between the right & wrong anchor can be hundreds of pounds—crucial when your expensive 65″ TV is hanging in the balance!
What impresses me most is how installers match the anchor to both the wall type AND the TV weight. They’re not just using the same generic screws for every job. They’re calculating the total weight (TV plus mounting bracket) and ensuring their selected anchors can support at least twice that weight for safety. This attention to detail prevents the most catastrophic form of wall damage—having your TV rip out a chunk of wall when it falls!
4. Template Positioning for Perfect Alignment
Rather than marking directly on your freshly painted walls, professional installers use templates or tape to visualise the TV’s final position. Many TV mounts come with paper templates, but the real pros often create their own custom templates that account for the specific TV model & mounting bracket.
This template approach serves multiple purposes: it prevents erroneous markings on your wall, allows for precise leveling before any holes are drilled, and gives you (the customer) a chance to approve the exact position. I’ve seen installers use painter’s tape to outline where the TV will sit, then use a laser level to ensure perfect horizontal alignment.
By taking time with positioning BEFORE drilling, they avoid the need to create multiple sets of holes if the first attempt isn’t quite right. This methodical approach keeps your walls cleaner & minimises unnecessary damage that would need patching later.
5. Cable Management Solutions
Nothing ruins the sleek look of a wall-mounted TV like cables hanging down like electronic spaghetti. Pro installers address this with various techniques that minimise wall intrusion.
For the cleanest look, some installers create cable channels inside the wall—cutting a small hole behind the TV and another behind the media cabinet, then fishing cables through the wall cavity. This requires specialised tools like flexible drill bits & glow rods that allow them to navigate between studs without creating large openings.
However, not every situation allows for in-wall cabling (particularly in rented properties). In these cases, good installers use external cable management systems like cord covers that can be painted to match your wall colour or cable raceways that adhere to the wall surface without requiring holes. These solutions maintain a tidy appearance without damaging your walls unnecessarily.
6. Protection of Surrounding Surfaces
Expert installers treat your entire space with care, not just the mounting area. They lay down dust sheets to protect flooring and furniture. I’ve watched professionals tape plastic sheeting below their work area to catch dust & debris when drilling into concrete or brick.
They also protect the wall surface itself, using masking tape around drilling points to prevent paint chipping. For plasterboard especially, they’ll sometimes place a piece of tape directly over where they’ll drill, which helps prevent the paper surface from tearing.
These protective measures might seem like minor details, but they prevent secondary damage that often goes unnoticed until after the installer has left. Dust from drilling can settle on furniture & electronics, and small chips in paint can grow into larger issues over time. Professional protection techniques keep the damage strictly limited to the necessary mounting holes.
7. Cleanup & Touch-up Expertise
Even with perfect technique, some minimal wall disturbance is inevitable. What sets experts apart is how they handle these small imperfections. Many professional installers carry basic patching supplies to repair any minor damage that occurs during installation.
For small chips in plaster or drywall, they’ll apply spackling compound, smooth it carefully, and sometimes even carry touch-up paint to match your wall colour. Some even bring micro-vacuums to remove dust from drill holes before it can settle on your surfaces.
The best professionals also know how to conceal necessary holes. They position wall plates for cable management in less conspicuous locations and ensure that the mounting bracket itself covers any marks made during the installation process. These finishing touches ensure that when they leave, your wall looks pristine except for the beautiful new TV mounted on it.
The Bottom Line
Professional TV installation isn’t just about getting your screen on the wall—it’s about preserving the integrity of your home in the process. The techniques these experts use reflect years of experience & an understanding that the best installations are the ones where you barely notice any intervention was needed at all.
If you’re considering mounting a TV yourself, consider these professional approaches before you start drilling. And if you decide to hire a pro, now you know what separates the true experts from those just going through the motions. Your walls (and your expensive television) will thank you for it!
