Respect the weight rating
Always choose a mount rated well above your TV's weight. A rating is a limit, not a target to sit right under.
Safety
A mounted TV is only as safe as its weakest fixing.
Televisions are heavy and sit above where people stand, sit, and play. These are the safety points worth reading twice before you start.
Fix into structure, not surface
Plasterboard alone cannot hold a TV. Load must reach studs or solid masonry with fixings rated for the job.
Find what is hidden first
Electrical cables, water pipes, and gas lines can run inside walls. Detect and avoid them before any hole is drilled.
Mind tip-over risk
Full-motion arms place force at an angle. Under-rated fixings can pull out over time, especially in homes with children.
Keep power safe
Never run a standard power lead inside a wall. Use in-wall rated kits or a qualified electrician for concealed mains.
Check it twice after hanging
Confirm the bracket is tight and level, and gently test that the TV is fully seated on its hooks before letting go.
The two-person rule
Never rush the hang.
For anything but the smallest screens, work with a second person. One steadies and positions the television while the other guides it onto the bracket hooks and tightens the fixings.
Take the weight slowly, confirm the TV is fully seated, and give it a gentle, deliberate test before stepping away. Most mounting accidents happen in the last thirty seconds, not the first.
The honest advice
When to call a professional.
This site exists to help you understand the task — not to push you into doing it yourself. There is no shame in hiring a qualified installer, and in several situations it is the right call:
- You cannot confidently identify your wall type or locate studs.
- The TV is large, heavy, or going above a fireplace.
- Concealed mains power or masonry drilling is involved.
- You are renting and need to follow your tenancy's rules.
Always follow the instructions supplied with your specific mount and television — they override any general guidance you read online, here included.