In today’s do-it-yourself society, you’re probably taking on tasks lately previously thought of as “best left to the pros.” Installing a new flat panel TV is one of the tasks that many electronics consumers are handling in-house lately, with the cry “We don’t need no stinkin’ installers!”
As we’re all looking to save money these days any way we can, this makes perfect sense. And there’s no reason why a properly prepared “amateur” shouldn’t be able to successfully hang a flat panel TV on their wall.
But watch out! There are some potential pitfalls in any DIY undertaking, and flat panel installation is no exception. It’s easy to make a small mistake that could end up costing you big dollars for repairs—or for ultimately calling in one of those pros you were trying to avoid hiring.
So here’s our “top ten” list of do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when putting on your flat panel installer hat.
DO: Pick a good spot! Before you get rolling, it’s all-important to select a good resting place for your flat panel. Keep in mind that the placement of your TV affects the design of the entire room—home entertainment/rec rooms are typically laid out based on the location of the TV system. Be aware that it’s near-impossible to go back if you change your mind, as doing so will entail remounting the TV, patching up the holes left behind, and repainting.
Choose a spot where the screen can be easily seen from every seat in the room that will also allow for good placement of your speakers. This spot should also accommodate the connection of your TV to your system components, as if they’re, say, on different sides of the room, you’ll create a boatload of headaches for yourself. You should also consider the following when choosing a spot:
• Where are the electrical outlets? The TV should be close to existing ones, although you’ll typically have to add a new outlet for the set.
• What’s a good height? Eye level is a good bet for standard TVs, but big plasma screens actually look better hung a few inches above eye level. Don’t hang it too high, though, as that could cause eye strain.
• Consult with your significant other. This may seem like a no-brainer, but just imagine if you surprised your partner with a new plasma TV—in a spot she/he absolutely hated! Get out the patching and paintbrushes, right? Better to be in total agreement before you hang anything.
DON’T: Buy cables that are “just long enough”! Before you begin your installation, make sure you’ve bought cables that are longer than you estimate you’ll actually need. Measure this distance from the back of your TV down the wall to your A/V system … then add a foot or two to be safe.
DO: Find the studs! OK, you’ve worked out where you’re going to place your TV. Now you’ll need to find the wall studs in the area you’ve chosen. Wall studs, in case you don’t know, are the wooden 2-by-4s or 2-by-6s that make up a wall’s inside frame, and they’re a crucial ingredient in secure wall hanging. Wall studs don’t have to be right in the middle of your mount location, because you’ll be able to do some horizontal adjusting once it’s on the wall. To find the studs, use an electronic stud finder instead of banging a hammer and listen closely. Electronic stud finders will locate both edges of studs so you can put bolt holes right smack in the middle.
DON’T: Run power cords inside your wall! As we had already stated, you want to situate your TV near an outlet. You cannot run a power or extension cord through your wall—to do so would violate every building and National Electric Code regulation known to man. If there’s no outlet near your chosen spot, consider hiring an electrician to install one, or if you’re up to the task, do it yourself.
DO: Make sure the template is level! Most mounting kits include a cardboard or paper template to guide you in making drill spots. It’s crucial that you hang your template as perfectly centered and level as possible—if not, your TV may end up mounted crooked. These templates typically have a center mark to guide you with the first part. You’ll need a level unit to make sure it’s perfectly level. Companies like Bullseye make laser levels that offer electronically precise leveling.
DON’T: Carry heavy stuff up a ladder! If you need to use a ladder in your install process to prepare the area, that’s fine—but by no means should you attempt to bring the TV up while on the ladder. And if you must use a drill while on it, make sure it’s completely steady.
DO: Be careful with that drill! We don’t want to sound like your mother, but drilling bolt holes is a crucial part of doing your own mount, and it pays to be over-cautious. Besides the obvious safety reasons, you need to take extra care with the drilling step to ensure a proper mounting. Remember: You only get one shot with this before you have to patch and repaint. Be sure to drill bolt holes using the drill bit size specified in your mount kit. Sometimes the studs are thinner than you’d expect, and you could end up drilling into concrete. This may necessitate using a different-sized drill bit.
DON’T: Forget to go fishing … for the wires! It’s crucial that you fish the wires through the wall holes before hanging the TV, since once the unit’s been hung, the holes will be covered up. If you’re using cable with large end connectors, such as DVI, then it could make it easier later on to mount your wall plate after the wires have been pulled through.
DO: Consider the alternatives! If you’d rather hang your flat screen TV without having to drill large holes in your wall for the cables and power line, you may want to look into The Wiring Solution from Superb Home Theater (www.superbhometheater.com). This product is a wire channel you attach to the wall that can handle up to eight A/V and power cables. Once that’s in place, you can sand and paint it so it blends into the wall.
DON’T: Work alone if you can avoid it! Mounting a flat screen is really a two-person job. For one thing, the TVs can be heavy—up to 200 pounds for some 50-inch sets! You’ll need at least one more pair of hands for that kind of lifting. Also, it’s good to have another person on hand so you can simultaneously complete time-consuming tasks and get the mounting done in a day—instead of a week.
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