Protect Your Property: Mount Framed Pictures and Mirrors Securely
What You Can Do
Earthquake protection can involve a variety of changes to your house and
property -- changes that can vary in complexity and cost. You may be able to
make some types of changes yourself. But complicated or large-scale changes and
those that affect the structure of your house or its electrical wiring and
plumbing should be carried out only by a professional contractor licensed to
work in your state, county, or city. One example of earthquake protection is
stabilizing framed pictures and mirrors so that they will remain in place
during an earthquake. This is something that many homeowners can probably do on
their own.
Mount Framed Pictures and Mirrors Securely
During an earthquake, framed pictures and mirrors that are not securely
attached to walls can easily fall. Large pictures and mirrors can cause
injuries when they fall, and the broken glass that often results increases the
potential for injury.
As shown in the figure, one way to mount framed pictures and mirrors securely
is to use long-shanked, open eye-hooks instead of traditional picture hangers.
The eye-hooks must be long enough to penetrate the wall stud as well as the
drywall or plaster. Eye-hooks used in this way are much less likely to pull out
of the wall than picture hooks installed with nails that penetrate only the
drywall or plaster. Also, an alternative to running wire across the back of the
picture or mirror is to use closed eye-hooks securely screwed into the back of
the frame.
Tips
Keep these points in mind when you hang framed pictures or mirrors:
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The number of eye hooks you need for a picture or mirror will depend on its
size and weight. Large pictures and mirrors will be more stable when mounted on
two hooks rather than one.
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Make sure that eye-hooks penetrate not just the wall but the studs behind it as
well. Eye-hooks embedded only in drywall or plaster are likely to pull out. To
be embedded deeply enough, eye-hooks should be at least 1-2 inches long.
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Regardless of whether you use picture wire or closed eye-hooks on the back of
the picture or mirror, make sure the hooks, screws, or other types of mounting
hardware are securely attached to the frame.
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If possible, don't hang large pictures or mirrors in places where they are more
likely to fall on someone, such as over beds, chairs, or couches.
Estimated Cost
The cost of mounting a picture or mirror with eye-hooks will depend on its size
and weight. In general, for a large picture or mirror that requires two
eye-hooks, you can expect the cost to be approximately $3 to $5. This amount
covers only the hardware you will have to buy, not any tools you use or the
value of your time. If you hire a contractor or handyman to do the work, you
will have to pay for time as well as materials.
Other Sources of Information
Seismic Retrofit Training for Building Contractors and Building Inspectors:
Participant Handbook, FEMA, 1995
Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage: A Practical Guide,
FEMA-74, 1994
Protecting Your Home and Business from Nonstructural Earthquake Damage, FEMA,
1994