Technical question regarding clothes pulley

7 years ago

Hi there -

I have a clothes pulley to hang in a stairwell (see photo attached). However the beam is an RSJ with plasterboard over it. I have no idea how to find out if there's wood underneath in which to drill into. So a friend suggested that I screw MDF the whole way along the plaster, covering the underside of the beam (to spread the weight) and then screw the cloths pulley (which looks like this: http://www.castinstyle.co.uk/product.php/285/traditional-kitchen-maid-pulley-clothes-airer?gclid=Cj0KEQjw2fLGBRDopP-vg7PLgvsBEiQAUOnIXHu-yjw_wcK-wJPQGfkxpa6QHwWx1bft4_s2ufmaeWsaAsCW8P8HAQ) into that.

But I have 3 questions please:

1. what depth of MDF should I buy? (the rack will be heavy especially with wet washing on) - how far apart should I put screws?

2. which pulleys should I buy? wheels with one screw or flat top pulleys with 4 screws? scroll down here to see: http://www.castinstyle.co.uk/section.php/468/1/clothes-airer-spare-parts

3. do you this will work without the plaster falling down?!

Thanks so much in advance for any answers!

If you can think of a better way please do let me know - am stumped on this one!

Featured Answer

marivon1

7 years ago

Agree totally with karencarter44!! This is not a job for an amateur. The plaster board will be fixed to minimal battening around the RSJ and definitely wouldn't support it. The RSJ which will be solid and probably undrillable. Or shouldn't be drilled anyway??

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Comments (15)

karencarter44
7 years ago
I can't find where it says the width of this. If you run it along the beam do you actually have enough room for air to circulate around the washing? If not I think you are going to grow black mould on your walls. Check the width of the airer and the space you have available. Wet washing is very heavy so I don't think fixing mdf to the plasterboard will work. (Im no builder but it doesn't sound feasible) Can you fix brackets to the wall and hang it from that? If would need a good d.i.y. person to do it as if its going to hold the weight you would need very good fixings properly done.
cambella thanked karencarter44
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cambella
Original Author
7 years ago
hi karencarter - yes there's enough space - the rack will stick out slightly from the beam to allow air flow. If I put brackets I'd still have to put MDF or similar to put the brakcets into I think... so same problem - another option would be top put the pulleys into the end walls and try and find joists there rather than the ceiling under the beam.
Joanna Biddolph
7 years ago
There's a lot of advice on the Pulley Maid website which says they need to be hung by drilling into joists - not RSJs but wooden joists: http://www.pulleymaid.com/instilation.htm
PRO
Stella Michael
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
So are you saying you want to put the clothes rack hanging from the alcove on the stairs? Firstly, I have installed one of these and this is not a practical place to put it, the washing will stick to the walls and as someone said, will not dry properly and create mold. You need good air flow.

Secondly, the MDF idea is a bit crazy and foolhardy. It needs to be attached to something strong, again as someone said as well as the item itself being heavy, wet washing is very heavy and needs a strong wooden beam to attach it to.

Finally, it's not a practical or attractive place to put it as it will inhibit the use of the stairs, case mould/damp and may even be a fire hazard (could inhibit a quick exit), best to keep stairs clear.

What about installing it on the actual ceiling above the stairs it looks high enough at the far end and then it can be pulled out of the way.

I have used one of these and they are quite awkward to use unless you have quite a bit of space to maneuver them, I ended up removing mine.
karencarter44
7 years ago
I don't think it will work. Do you have to dry washing indoors? How about a nice condensing dryer? Even a rack over the bath is preferable to what you suggest. How about a free standing rack in front of the radiator when you go to bed at night? It is surprising how much stuff will dry over night like that. Ikea do a good rack that folds out and holds an awful lot. I used one whilst renovating a house and did all my drying like that, even stood it outside on a good day. Good luck, I do hope you get your problem sorted, who likes washing anyway?
PRO
Stella Michael
7 years ago
karencarter44 I agree re a drying rack near a radiator or in any open space overnight (prefer this to using up more resources and energy with a dryer). I thought one of these pulley driers would be a good idea but was a lot of hassle and went back to a rack and, as you said, just drying things overnight, so much easier.
Kathryn Cawood
7 years ago
I have a pulleymaid in my kitchen and it is one of the best purchases I have made. Plenty of joists to support it and lots of room for air circulation. I wouldn't want to have one in a confined space due to the risk of mould.
Sonia
7 years ago
Hope you don't mind me saying, but this is all rather complicated and difficult just to dry a few clothes. I use a concertina dryer in the spare bedroom. The clothes are usually dry by the next day, and then it is put away until the next wash. Lakeland sell lots of clothes dryers, as well a heated clothes dryer which is a bit pricey but probably cheaper than your suggestion. Hope you find a solution soon.
alyper
7 years ago
Clothes pulley over stairs is just not a good idea! Free standing dryer in spare room, window open to create air current, and easy to rejig and check dryness. No probs.
cambella
Original Author
7 years ago
I have no where else to put a dryer (or any outside space for a line) plus the pulley is better for the wallet and the planet. (and i can't dry big sheets next to radiator). There is plenty of air circulation on the stairs as it's very open and of course I will not be hanging the rack again the wall - there will be a big gap and it will stick out over the beam. It's plenty high enough that it will be out of the way in case of emergency. will keep thinking...
karencarter44
7 years ago
Try contacting a local DIY company and get them to come, have a look and tell you how it can be done. Once they have been you will know a) if it can be done b) how much it will cost, and c) whether you can do it yourself. You may have to send the sheets to the laundry and reserve the pulley for small items.
Jessamine Matheson
7 years ago
I thought about getting one of these, but in the end we rigged up single pole (like a wooden wardrobe rail) over the bath. I put the wet clothes on coat hangers and hang the hangers from the pole. The bathroom is warm and well-ventilated and the clothes dry overnight, don't generally need ironing, and can be moved, still on their coat hangers, straight to the wardrobe. A further advantage is that, for things that need to be hung dripping we, the drips just drain into the bath.
cambella
Original Author
7 years ago
just in case it's of interest - I did a bit of drilling and while i found no wood i did find layers of plaster - i took a risk and just screwed the pulleys in (they have v long screws) and so far so good it's all staying up even with heavy washing! (it obviously would not have worked if the plaster has just been one layer).
karencarter44
7 years ago
I'm pleased you managed it, I have my fingers crossed for you. Always nice when a project works out.
cambella thanked karencarter44

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