How Often Do Wall Mounted TVs Fall?

Are you shopping for a new TV? Then you have many options to choose from. The most popular TV on the market is the wall-mounted TV. This type of TV saves space and adds heaps of aesthetic appeal to your home.

But how safe are wall-mounted TVs? Will a wall-mounted TV fall off your wall? In this article, we answer some of the most asked questions when it comes to why some wall-mounted TVs fall off walls. By the end, you’ll be able to effectively mount your TV, which will allow you to watch your favorite show or movie with ultimate confidence.

How Often Do Wall Mounted TVs Fall?

It’s impossible to give an exact number, but when mounted correctly, a wall-mounted TV will never fall. Don’t worry, as mounting a TV onto your wall is incredibly easy, especially as today’s TVs are super-lightweight.

I have only heard of a TV falling off the wall due to it being incorrectly mounted. I dive into the top causes for this later on in the article, but the main reason for TV falling off the wall is because the TV was too heavy for the bracket.

It’s incredibly important to take your time when mounting a TV onto your wall. Firstly, your TV will likely be broken forever if it falls from the wall. Then we have to think about the damage it will do to your wall and floor. Oh and what if the TV lands on something precious? This is my favorite TV mount for stopping falls (Amazon link).

Why Wall Mounted TV's Fall?

Let’s now talk about why wall mounted TVs fall from your wall. Remember the following factors to prevent any accidents.

1) Wrong Fixings

Using the wrong type of fixings is the main reason why TVs fall from walls, especially if the fixing doesn’t suit the type of wall you have:

Solid Walls

If you have a solid wall, then you should mount your TV with coach bolts and expansion plugs. Small TVs should be okay with red wall plugs and screws, but the most secure fixing will be made by using M8 fixing bolts over 2” long. The length of the bolt will depend on how thick the wall is. Basically, you want to go past the plaster, but not all the way through the wall. Should the bolt not git with the bracket, you can use a drill to slightly open the holes (although please note that doing this will void your product warranty).

In regards to the plugs, the best option is to use some nylon expansion plugs, especially the Fischer UX and Duopower plugs, which allow for the strongest possible fixing.

Stud Walls

TVs can still be mounted on plasterboard walls, but it will take a bit more work and due diligence. You will need to use unique fixings to mount your TV. Falls usually happen when the bolt is only fixed into the one layer of plasterboard, instead of fixed to a material behind the board.

The best way to mount a TV onto a stud wall is by fixing the bolts into the wall studs. If this is not possible, then Gripit fixings can be a lifesaver, which are capable of holding over 100kg of weight.  

Your property may feature walls with wooden sections instead of studs. In this case, you still follow the above advice by fixing the bolts into the wood, instead of the layer of plasterboard.

Dot & Dab Walls

With this type of wall, you want to use longer bolts that are capable of going through the plasterboard and into the wall behind. The Corefix plasterboard fixings are the perfect wall studs for fixing TVs onto dab walls. These bolts allow you to effectively close the gap between the plasterboard and the wall behind.

You can also drill into the dabs of adhesive glue behind the wall, which allow for a firmer hold. It’s hard to find these dabs, but you may be able to do it by knocking on the wall and listening for sounds.

Washers are Important! 

Just like with any other fixing, it is important to use washers with your bolts. Using washer helps to prevent the bolt from becoming loose over time. Luckily, most companies include a few washers along with the bracket unit.

2) Poor Fixing

You may be using the world’s best fixing methods, but it may be fixed incorrectly. In fact, the TV may look secure at first, but then the fixing starts becoming weaker and weaker over time. The main reason why this happens is because the hole is too large for the screw inside of it, which results in the bracket not having a secure hold. The plug needs to be compatible with the hole drilled into the wall.

If the hole starts crumbling, it can be a good idea to gain expansion by inserting additional plugs. Alternatively, you can re-drill the hole, and then use a larger fixing.

3) Overloading the TV Bracket

This is one of the main reasons why TVs fall from walls. Make sure to read the information that comes with the TV bracket, as it will tell you the maximum amount of weight the bracket will be able to hold. You may even want to sit on the side of caution, by only using a lightweight TV that is a long way from the maximum recommended load.

This is especially true for full-motion brackets that can be moved further away from the wall. You see, as the TV falls further away from the wall, so does the amount of stress put on the bracket.

4) Using A Poor Quality TV Mount 

It’s important to use a high-quality TV mount that don’t have any weak points. Many make the mistake of purchasing a cheap bracket, which ultimately lets them down. Imagine spending $500+ on a TV, but only $10 for a cheap bracket.  That is a big risk to take.

If you want to buy a new TV bracket, then I would recommend the Mounting Dream Full Motion TV Mount UL Listed TV Wall Mount (Amazon link), which is a premium bracket for 42-75 Inch TVs.

5) Bracket Not Installed Correctly

Using a premium TV bracket won’t be enough to prevent your TV from falling if it is not installed correctly. Many people ask a friend to install it for them, or maybe a local builder who claims to be able to fix anything. Hiring a professional is the safest way to ensure your wall-mounted TV won’t fall off the wall. You can use websites like CAI to find installers in your local area.

6) Locking Bar Not correctly Fitted

Just like the bracket could be installed incorrectly, the locking bar could also not be used correctly. You see, TVs have a locking bar to fix the TV into position. The locking bar needs to be secure before you can be confident that your TV won’t fall from the wall. Many installers make the mistake by simply walking away once the TV is attached to the bracket.

How to Test if a TV is Mounted Correctly?

It is a good idea to test the mount before placing the TV onto the wall. You can do this by utilizing a pull test, which involves applying force to the bracket. If the bracket remains firm, then you can confidently put your TV in position.

Wall Types

To finalize this article, I thought it would be a good idea to get familiar with the main types of wall surface. Each of these wall types would require a different fixing technique.

Stud – This involves plasterboard that is held in space by metal studs. This type of wall is usually hollow and used to divide rooms. As such, you shouldn’t drill into this type of wall to hang a heavy TV.

Brickwork – Most home feature solid walls made of brick or block. Give your wall a quick ‘knock’ to test if your wall is solid. Brick walls are perfect for mounting TVs.

Dry-lined – You may have heard of this type of wall called a “dob and dab wall”. Basically, this type of wall features plasterboard placed on-top of brickwork. Dry-lined walls are becoming more and more popular, especially in home that have been recently renovated. This type of wall sounds semi-hollow, with other sections that sound more solid (this is where the glue/adhesive is placed).