Just an FYI from some research: There is really no consensus on mortar vs brick.. Each has it’s own merits... brick is stronger but brittle and can have air gaps internally... mortar is softer but less likely to crack...(provided it is strong and in good shape and was not mixed poorly)... attaching to mortar you can (and should) use wedge anchors as they are very strong, but would have a tendency to crack brick...which is why on brick you use tapcons, sleeve anchors, or lags with sleeves (and liquid nails if sleeves are plastic is smart idea)...also with plastic sleeves place them so the slits are horizontal (so they expand vertically) which makes them more resilient when hanging things like TV mounts. Also with mortar mounting you always want to mount to the HORIZONTAL mortar lines (since the weight pulling down applies pressure to the rows of bricks above and below). Mortar is easier to repair as well, but your mortar lines might not be perfectly straight which can make staying in the mortar line difficult. On top of all this, you may not have alot if choice due to where your mount simply has to be placed on the wall. Both work, but just be aware that wedge anchors should be avoided with bricks but SHOULD be used when mortar mounting (other expansion types like lags w/sleeves work as well, but wedge anchors are the best for mortar mounting). For brick mounting use Tapcons, Sleeve anchors or Lags with metal or plastic sleeves (and liquid nails with plastic sleeves). I know I repeated this last part but it is the important difference between the two ways to mount...i.e. What to use... BTW, never a bad idea to practice on a spare brick first if going the brick route. And, of course, a hammer drill (with a good bit) is worth the trouble to buy/borrow if you don’t own one. Not that you absolutely need it, but if your material is really solid (which is a good thing) and your drill/bit is subpar (not a good thing), then drilling can literally be an all day affair... trust me, I have been there! Even a cheap hammer drill (with even just a decent mortar bit) will make the task easier....and with a good bit, it’s almost easy... almost.
We always use the mortar joints, we use an adhesive when we insert the plastic anchors, helps hold the lag bolts in place. over 500 tvs hung and no issues with mortar holes!
valid point, but depending on the circumstance. it will hold great, but try to fix the brick when the mounts then where bigger and heavier, as were tvs. plus factor in probability of need to remove . mounts are not 100% universal by far.
Geez - such negativity. Thank you guys for sharing this. I know there's value to you as a business, but as a homeowner I found this helpful. Not sure why a handful of folks took to being dicks about it.
from good old BOB VILLA - Brick usually holds better and supports more weight than mortar. However, if you have old, fragile brick and you're mounting a heavy object that requires deep holes and expansion-style anchors, drilling into the brick may not be the best choice.
Why didn't you use a QBit Cut-In saw for multi-tools to cut out your low voltage bracket hole? Can you light a fire without melting the wires above the fireplace? Glue substance? Acrylic, epoxy, bubble gum? I'd of worn a collared polo shirt for a video. At least the T-shirts weren't wife-beaters. I didn't see an outlet/receptacle on the brick above the mantle. You didn't mention running NM or MC for power. Did you conceal the power cord for the TV and sound bar in the wall? You said "All the wires are hidden". You just provided evidence that any inspector could use to revoke your low voltage business license and for the homeowner to sue you. The NFPA 70 National Electric Code (NEC) 700.8 clearly states, "flexible cords must not be concealed by walls, floors, or ceilings." If that customer's house burns down, AVTech Solutions is likely to be liable. Otherwise, this was a great video explaining and demonstrating many of the factors required for a quality installation. I gave you a thumbs up.
thanks for this video. So many people being negative about the height of the TV. I think it would do me good to look up after looking down all day (devices, kids, etc) I have 4 kids under 5 and I can tell you a low tv is a dirty or broke tv. Hanging the basement one above the fireplace as this will be their area for a few years. Thanks again.
people move!.....plus tvs and mounts have been changing in design just as rapid as cellphones, its hung to be semi-perm. or until you move or throw a remote through the tv. all was considered but the decision is ultimately up to the home owner. whom decided in this case
And for anyone worried about mounting a TV above a fireplace being uncomfortable, there's a great mantel mount on the market that lets you pull the TV down over the fireplace when you're watching TV: www.mantelmount.com/
Hilti makes a great adhesive. We use it all the time when drilling and putting rebar in slabs to continues horizontal stretches. we also use them for anchor bolts when building strut structures etc. Really, anytime you use an achor, you should be adding this adhesive
agreed, I give this a fail, gas or wood fireplaces become pretty hot behind the face brick and from experience, will cause the wires to become extremely hot, possible damage, and a flex pipe should have been run the entire way, to contain the wires, and proper tv component box should be installed behind tv, where the electrical outlet and media wire hook ups are.
I apologize for the electric part of the video not being shown in its entirety. It was ran up to code in Ohio. We ended up using a female to male three prong plug adapter that allowed for it to be plugged into a surge protector. AV wires didn't need to be ran into any type of tubing, as the brick was just on the surface of drywall and we were had enough room between the mortar and drywall. No issue with heat as we didn't enter into the actual "firebox", which would only be a issue with a wood burning fireplace as gas fireplaces are not much more than a empty box. The customer didn't want any bricks removed so we only used the mortar line to get the wires behind tv then added new mortar. TV height was chosen by the customer, as with every tv we hang its customer choice. We have gone back to this customer and completed more audio video work without any issues with the fireplace tv hang or the other projects.
I was told also not to drill into the brick because most of the bricks are hollow. (have 2 or 3 holes in them). What are your thoughts on that? Thanks in advance!
Good video but one quick question, how did you make the hole in the mortar at 1:46 to conceal the cables behind the TV? And what did you use? Thank you.
over 1000 tv hangs since 09' not one have i had fall. if it was a cantilever it may be needed it all has to do with the math. weight dist. age degree of movement etc.and most mounts don't get reused bc of compatibility issues
I believe you’re correct. I’ve mounted a few TVs and always added an electrical outlet behind the TV so it can plug directly into the wall while hiding the wires. I’m fairly certain it’s dangerous and against some code to run the power cord through the wall.
Hey Joaquin , I’m no expert, but I believe you’d have to mount one of those metal outlet boxes to the outside of the brick after running the wiring to an existing outlet near the fireplace. I’ve seen one method where conduit was run from above the mantle down to an outlet on the lower left side of the fireplace, and the wiring was run through the conduit. I assume the conduit was designed to protect from any excess heat from the fireplace, but that’s just a guess.
its on TVs are not permanent additions. And sizes and shapes of our cinematainment rooms change in design rapidly, and if you move buy a tv with different bolt pattern its got to come down.
I removed the mantel and moved it down. I drilled into the brick and you have to pretty stay close center of bricks. To close to the edge and the bricks crumble. I use a 3/16 bit with 1/4 concrete blue screws. Becare screwing the screws in because they can break. Had that happen. I had to use longer screws 3-3/4" because the brick hole stripped out. Still haven't installed tv bracket. Calls for using a 3/8" bit for installing 4 bolts with plastic inserts. There's got to be a better way.
Very helpful video thanks 🙏 off topic just curious the recessed lighting over the fireplace looks very cool did you add them or are they original to the house
I dont believe this video was uploaded by the home owners lol its was just a video that was made for the company who fitted the TV to the fireplace all 3 of them 😂😂😂
This guy does install it correctly per manufacture recommendation but I am a engineer that has many reputed manufacturer recommendations cases. This is one of them. Most don't say anything about where to put the anchors. I do know THX requires their installers to only hit grout lines. Again how will you remove the wall bracket if ever you ever move or want to upgrade. The installer coming in after the fact to install the new homeowners mount is in for a world of hurt...I'll leave it at that.
The manual that came with my brace said not the mortar, but into the actual brick. These guys are professionals, and im sure they've obviously done this before, so why make a video of something that doesnt work, but still. The mortar would be holding the load of 40lbs give or take, idk if thats such a good idea.
Easy to repair mortar later once someone moves. As for as metal anchor spreads and lock into surrounding brick. Also you risk splitting the actual brick which cost you a bunch to fix. If you're really worried then use commercial toggles if you don't mind holes in your brick...geez..it's all relative. I have install over a 1000 and never had one fall or even get loose if that helps. Speaking of the bracket manufacture...I bet they gave you plastic anchors...lol...try them and see how it goes...
I will guarantee to you that if I installed metal anchors into grout....you and all your buddies together won't be able to pull it down...what a joke...please don't waste my time.
Use in-wall rated cables for one. But the bricks don't get as hot as you might think (there are layers of bricks, and probably a chimney liner which makes the most difference). Note the mantle was mounted to some 2x4s shoved into the brick cavity..
I concur, but the decision is ultimately up to the home owner, which in this case it was. I will hang a tv on the ceiling or install it in the floor if I'm paid too. lol
I guess since it only took four screws for the mount, the lined the mount up with a straight mortar line at the top, and just adjusted it horizontally until there was mortar in two spots for the bottom screws.
robertsrt - yeah I think wherever they are, the state has different building codes than where I am. Because running those power cables in the wall would be against code here and technically illegal. They're obviously not using a power pack so I think it's just extension cables ran thru the wall maybe?
@@honestinsincerity2270 In Massachusetts, where I live, it is also against code to run a TV's power code in a wall because it is not in wall rated. However, I'm pretty sure I spotted a romex cable in that bundle but they didn't really show how they did that. I also really don't understand how they ran the wires through the brick. I think I blinked and missed that part of the video.
@@scotter140Good point and yes it is against copde to run any power cords or extensions in the wall bc they are not rated in wall. Its actually more of an an electrical "jumper" from standard electric following wires and three prong adapters on the ends once out of the wall and then it must be into a surge per code.
Great video !!..... I’m a plumber by trade and plastic anchors have never been trusted. We use toggle anchors better know as “butterflys”. Glue is cool but arms are better 💪
South Charlotte Services; you did not watch the whole video. He used lags WITH anchors AND glue.....I guess epoxy. Gonna need dynamite to get those lags off.
Hello all! I’ve bought a condo with I’m guessing is the wall mount above my fireplace. I didn’t prefer to use this space for this however the size of my new living room is demanding it. I already have the hardware installed above my fireplace. Then the 2 large brackets with screws and bolts along with knob type adjustments only I don’t know how these pieces all all come together to hang my tv. I hope you can give me some guidance! Thanks so much!!
