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Does Mounting A TV Damage The Wall?

As an owner of a flat screen TV, I was frustrated to discover that mounting it to the wall might cause damage. I had heard about the potential for this to occur, but I wasn’t sure how big of a risk it was. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved this problem and the other solutions I discovered.

In this blog post, I’m going to explain what mounting a TV to the wall entails and discuss the potential risks associated with doing so, as well as the methods to minimize or avoid them altogether.

Mounting a TV on a wall will cause damage because it is heavy and requires the support of a mount fasted to the wall to stay on the wall. All wall types leave holes that must be filled and repainted. Screws can crack inside wall studs, and fragile walls can crack and break apart from a heavy TV. 

Tips:
Wall-mounting a TV on a wall can cause damage, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into and what risks you’re taking.
Cinder-block and brick walls are more sturdy for mounting TVs but also more challenging to repair, while drywall and plasterboard are less sturdy but easier to repair.
Holes are not the only type of wall damage when mounting TVs. Cracks and weakened walls can also occur depending on the type of wall and the size and weight of the TV.
Always ask the landlord before mounting a TV to a wall, as eviction is possible if you don’t comply with the lease.
Patch all holes before the lease is up, do it properly, and ask the landlord to inspect the wall and show them a fixed wall ready to paint.

Does Mounting A TV Damage The Wall?

Who doesn’t like having a TV mounted to the wall? It saves space, everyone can see it clearly, it can’t get knocked over, plus it can last longer if you’re in an earthquake-prone area. 

The truth is that there isn’t a safe way to mount a TV to a wall. Since TVs are unlike portraits, the mounts required to hold them in place must be firmly attached to a wall, usually by drilling holes in the wall. 

A lightweight TV typically requires smaller holes and puts less strain on the wall, while heavier TVs demand more support and cause walls to crack more easily where you drill holes. When a wall is fragile, be extra careful, or the TV may pull out of the wall and fall face-down on the floor. 

Unless the wall sustains significant damage and requires maintenance on a professional level, it’s possible to spackle the holes left behind from the screws and paint the wall to restore it. 

Remember that everyone desires a beautiful, clean look of a mounted TV, but hiding the cables and perhaps installing wiring that runs through the wall makes it challenging. You might consider painting the wood to match the wall hiding them behind the wood. 

Alas, the best way to have a TV on a wall without damaging the wall is with a stand. Furthermore, you could utilize a pre-made or DIY system consisting of a plywood sheet that attaches to the back of a cabinet.

Are Some Wall Types More Susceptible to Damage Than Others?

Cinder-block and brick walls are more sturdy for mounting TVs but also more challenging to repair. Drywall and plasterboard are less sturdy but easier to repair. 

Cinder-block and brick can much more easily support a large TV, but repairing them when they have holes, is almost impossible. In this case, you’ll want to be mindful that the holes will likely stay for as long as you decide to replace them. 

Furthermore, these walls are also more challenging to install a TV, and you may need to hire a professional. If your wall is drywall and covered studs, you can probably install the TV yourself.

Screw holes on flat-screen TV mounting brackets correspond to the most typical drywall stud spacing. When correctly done, you will significantly reduce wall damage to the point where it will be like hanging a few pictures.

Avoid poking holes in the drywall until you find the wood because it will look very unappealing. Consider using a stud finder to locate 2 x 4s inside the wall. 

It works like a hand-held metal detector that you slide along the wall and lights up over a stud. Of course, the stud detector will also help hang heavy wall art!

Holes Are Not The Only Wall Damage When Mounting TVs

While wall-mounted TVs generally only leave holes, in some cases, the holes can weaken the wall and leave cracks. For instance, a plasterboard wall is fragile compared to other wall types, so you need to drill holes into the wooden joists behind the plasterboard. 

Of course, when you remove the TV, you must fill the holes and repaint the wallpaper. Overall, the extent of the damage comes from the size & weight of the TV, the type of fixings you use, the wall type, and the skill of the individual mounting the TV. 

Should You Mount Your TV To A Wall As A Tenant?

Always ask the landlord if you can mount your TV, but remember you are still liable for all damages regardless of their answer. 

When mounting TVs to walls, large screws can crack inside wall studs; someone must fill the holes left behind and repaint the wall. For these reasons, it is wise to assume (yes, one of the only times it is safe to assume) that the landlord will not like the idea of you wall-mounting your TV. 

It is always wise to ask the landlord if you want to mount a TV to a wall or review your lease. Your lease would state whether wall attachments are permissible and if you can use screws or studs, etc. Remember, eviction is always possible if you don’t comply with the lease. 

It’s important to understand even if the landlord permits you to mount a TV on your wall, the responsibility for any damages outside of regular wear will fall on you. 

Furthermore, when it comes to real estate and homes, once you attach something, it joins with the house and must stay – so be wary! 

A smart landlord already understands that most people want a giant TV on the wall these days, so this isn’t something new to them. However, you should always leave a space as you found it, which means that if you hang something, you should always repair the holes before moving.

Landlords care more about the cost of fixing a damaged wall than repainting it. Agree to patch all holes before your lease is up, do it properly, and ask the landlord to inspect the wall and show them a fixed wall ready to paint. 

Conclusion

Whether a TV is big or small, it won’t be like hanging a painting, meaning you will need a strong mount attached to a wall to prevent it from falling. As such, it often requires you to install it by drilling holes. Coupled with the TV size & weight, the fragility of the wall, and the skill of the individual mounting the TV, it will be more damaging to the wall. 

Read more: Control TV from phone without Wifi

Sources 

https://www.quora.com/Is-there-a-good-way-to-hang-a-TV-on-a-wall-in-a-rented-apartment-without-damaging-the-walls

https://www.quora.com/Do-landlords-care-if-a-tenant-mounts-their-television-onto-the-wall

https://www.quora.com/Will-a-mounted-TV-hurt-the-wall