Rawlplugs

How do rawlplugs work? 

Rawlplugs are essential when you need to fasten different types of screws into walls where the screws cannot get a sufficient grip. A rawlplug acts as a kind of anchor in surfaces where the screw would otherwise be too unstable.  

When you drill a hole and insert a rawlplug, the plug expands when the screw is drilled in. The expansion locks the rawlplug into the material and distributes the load from the screw over a larger area. This prevents the screw from slipping out and ensures that it holds your hanging object securely in place.   

Rawlplugs are essential because they provide extra strength and stability for what you are hanging – especially if you are drilling into a fragile material, if there is a cavity behind the wall, or if you are hanging heavier items. Without rawlplugs, your screws may well become loose over time, which in the worst case could cause your hanging object to fall down.  

Use rawlplugs in different materials  

Rawlplugs are indispensable tools when you need to fasten screws into materials where the screw alone cannot get a sufficient grip. Materials such as brick, concrete and plaster are particularly known for being more fragile or porous. This means that extra support is needed to ensure that the screws are secure and that your hanging object is stable.  

Brick and concrete are hard yet porous materials. When drilling into a brick wall, it can easily crumble, making it difficult for a screw to get the necessary grip. Here, rawlplugs create a stable anchor that distributes the weight and ensures that the screw stays in place.   

Plasterboard walls are even more fragile. Plaster is a light and soft material that can easily crumble if you screw the screw directly into the plasterboard wall. Without a rawlplug, the screw will quickly fall out or damage the wall. Rawlplugs distribute the load and ensure that the screw stays in place – even in thin and fragile plasterboard walls.  

Choose the right rawlplugs for the job  

Do you need rawlplugs for your project? Then it is important to find the right type that suits both the material and the task at hand. Rawlplugs are designed to create a solid fastening in both soft and hard materials, and choosing the right type of plug is crucial to how well the screw holds.  

First and foremost, you need to know what type of wall you are hanging something on so that you can choose the right type of rawlplug. Universal rawlplugs are a good all-round solution that is suitable for brick, concrete and plaster. If you are working with concrete walls, nail plugs can also be a good solution. This is a type of rawplug that is equipped with a nail. They are quick to use as they just need to be hammered into the wall. For lighter materials such as plasterboard walls, you can choose screw anchors that are equipped with spring wings to hold the screw extra securely in place.   

When choosing the size of your rawlplugs, they must match both the size of the screw and the depth of the hole. The drill hole and the rawlplug should, in principle, have the same diameter, but in fact, your rawlplug should be at least 10 millimetres smaller than the screw itself. This ensures that the screw goes all the way through the rawlplug and expands it correctly. This will provide a stable fastening. 

Get your rawlplugs at Biltema  

At Biltema, you will find a wide selection of rawlplugs for all your projects. Our range includes screw and rawlplug sets, so you can easily get everything you need. You can also choose screw anchors, which are ideal for fastening in plaster and other light materials, as well as nail plugs, which make it quick and easy to mount with nails instead of screws. If you are looking for a versatile solution, our universal plugs are ideal for many different materials. The range covers a wide selection of sizes, so you can always find the rawlplugs that fit your project.   

You can easily and conveniently order your items online and pick them up at your nearest Biltema store within two hours. This makes it easy to get the right rawlplugs for your next project.  

See all our fasteners here  

How to work with rawlplugs – step by step  

When using rawlplugs, it is essential that you do so correctly to achieve a stable and secure fastening. That's why we've created a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started:  

Choose the right rawlplugs  
Start by choosing the right type and size of rawlplug for your material and screw. Remember that the screw must be at least 10 millimetres longer than the rawlplug to ensure that the rawlplug can expand correctly.  

Drill a suitable hole  
Use a drill bit with the same diameter as your rawplug. If your rawplug is 6 millimetres, you should also use a corresponding drill bit. Drill carefully and make sure that the hole is deep enough for both the rawplug and the screw to fit.  

Insert the rawlplug  
Once the hole has been drilled, push the rawplug in so that it is flush with the surface. You can use one from our range of hammers to gently tap it all the way in. 

Screw in the screw  
With the rawplug in place, you can secure the screw using a screwdriver or drill from our selection. The screw will automatically expand the rawplug so that it is firmly fixed in the material and ensures a stable attachment. 

Avoid the 3 classic mistakes when working with rawlplugs  

Are you curious about the classic mistakes when it comes to working with rawlplugs? They are very good to know so that you can avoid them. Here are the three most common mistakes:   

1. Wrong type of rawlplug: One of the most common mistakes is using the wrong type of rawlplug for the material you are working with. It is the material that determines which type of rawlplug you should use.
     
2. Incorrect drill hole size: Another mistake is drilling a hole that is either too large or too small. A hole that is too large will not give the rawlplug a good grip, while a hole that is too small may prevent the rawlplug from expanding. The hole must therefore have the same diameter as the rawlplug itself. 
    
3. The screw is too short: If you use a screw that is shorter than the rawlplug, it will not expand the rawlplug properly. This will result in a loose fastening. Therefore, always ensure that your screw is at least 10 millimetres longer than the rawlplug itself.  

If you can avoid the three most common mistakes, you are well on your way to achieving an optimal and durable fastening. 

FAQ

How do you remove rawlplugs from the wall?

If you need to remove rawlplugs from a wall, you can use pliers to carefully pull them out. If the rawlplug is stuck, you can partially screw a screw into the plug and then pull on the screw to remove the plug.

When should you use rawlplugs?

Rawlplugs should be used when you need to fix screws into materials such as brick, concrete, plaster or other porous surfaces where a screw alone cannot get a proper grip. They ensure a stable fixing and prevent the screw from slipping out.

How do you insert rawlplugs?

To insert rawlplugs, first drill a hole with the same diameter as the rawlplug. Then insert the rawlplug into the hole and press it in evenly. Finally, screw in the screw so that the rawlplug expands and creates a firm anchor in the material.