My friend has asked me to help her hang shelves (book shelves) on her brooklyn apt walls that are sheetrock. I know I should use wall anchors but I'm not sure what type, how many, and what to look out for in case that wall can't actually sustain the weight.
Let me know your answers and maybe a quick step by step ASAP please and thank you :0)
Hollow wall anchors aren't the best choice for heavy weights, unless you use a lot of them. Hit the studs instead. They should be spaced 16" apart.
Studs are vertical pieces of wood inside your wall.
While they are typically placed on 16" centers, they can be tricky to find. Rapping on the wall is one way to identify them, as the hollow sound goes away. Stud sensors work to some degree, although I've never used on that was perfect. Looking for the screws that were used to attach the drywall is another way. Sometimes there is a small depression left by the screw or the texture of the wall changes because of the drywall compound used to cover the screw. Sometimes drilling a series of small holes in the only way to precisely locate a stud.
Hope this helps!