Mounting a TV on the wall may seem to be quite ease. However, when you start with the process, you can understand how messy it can be. You are likely to find yourself staring at dangling cables, lopsided brackets and crumbling plaster. If there is an improper installation, your wall can get damaged and it can also jeopardize the installation of your expensive television set. Expert installers can avoid both, reducing wall damages as much as possible and ensuring that your TV is mounted properly. Here is how they do it.
Proper wall assessment before drills
Experienced installers take time to understand the type of wall that they have to drill through – whether it comes to plasterboard, concrete, brick or drywall. Based on that, they use electronic stud finders like the Franklin ProSensor 710+ or Zircon StudSensor HD55. These help them to find metal studs or wooden beams behind the wall surface. Using proper tools, they can anchor the bracket to a stable support point.
You can also expect them to use tools like the Bosch GMS120 multi-scanner, which detects electrical wires and pipes.
Using specialized techniques for drilling
When installers are aware of the type of wall that they have to drill through, they switch to bits and drills designed for precision work. They avoid over-drilling or cracking for drywall surfaces with the help of variable-speed drills with bits like DeWalt’s Pilot Point Drill Bits. They can use dust-collection attachments and hammer drills like the Makita HR2475 Rotary Hammer for concrete or masonry settings.
Many of them also apply masking tape on the bit for controlling depth of drill. Others drill a tiny pilot hole first, to measure the resistance. With these methods, they can avoid metal conduit, PVC pipes or other internal surprises as well as reduce the risks of over-penetration.
Using suitable wall anchors
Professionals do not use the same screws to deal with every project. They prefer Hillman’s Molly Bolts for plasterboard without studs, toggle bolts, snap toggles. They like to use Fischer UX plugs or Rawlplug frame fixings for solid walls. These come with superior load capacity and can last for a long time to come.
They also make a proper calculation of the total hanging weight, of the TV along with bracket. Based on these assessments, they choose anchors that can handle twice the load at least. You can expect that your TV will stay in place securely, and not drop from the wall at any time.
Template positioning for proper alignment
Installers with experience also use mounting templates, to avoid multiple misaligned drill holes and ugly pencil marks. Some of them also create painter’s tape templates or custom cardboard templates, based on the specific TV model that they are supposed to mount. Before they start drilling, they tape the wall outline. You can expect them to go for tools like the DeWalt DW088K Laser Level, which can ensure a straight and level fit.
By using this technique, they can provide you with a clear visual idea before starting installation. It can also help them to avoid unnecessary patchwork in the future.
Many wall mount kits from brands like Sanus, ECHOGEAR, and Mounting Dream include paper templates and built-in bubble levels. While shopping, it is necessary to look for all such features.
Using perfect cable management solutions
Many professional installers also like to go for clean cable routing. They use flexible drill bits, glow rods and hole saw kits for all those homes where they can try in-wall routing. If it is impossible to do in-wall routing, they opt for Legrand Wiremold or D-Line Cable Trunking, and other surface-mounted raceways. These can be painted on, so that they cannot be differentiated from wall colors.
Smart TVs and soundbars also support wireless setups. This helps to reduce cable clutter altogether. However, professionals like to route HDMI cables and power cables effectively, with no additional stress on connectors. It is necessary to use a basic cable management toolkit that should come with cable clips, HDMI keystone jacks, drywall saw, fish tape and a stud finder.
Keeping adjoining surfaces safe
You can expect the best installers to lay down polythene sheet or drop clothes to protect your furniture and floors before they start drilling. They will use painter’s tape to mask the immediate surrounding area, to avoid paint chipping. For plasterboard surfaces, some installers tape the drill point directly, to prevent tearing of the paper face.
Cleanup & touch-up
There can be small imperfections even after the best installation jobs. Expert installers carry putty knives, spackle, sandpaper etc., as well as touch-up paint pens, for patching and blending small blemishes. They finish their job with a proper wall inspection in the presence of clients. You can expect an impeccable wall surface before your installers leave.
Bottom Line
Expert TV installation professionals plan everything carefully, to ensure perfect anchor selection, effective installation, pristine wall appearance and post-installation cleanup. They also have their own service QR codes that you can scan and make a hassle-free payment. You can expect a completely flawless process, from start to finish.
