Yes, it can! Your mounted TV can fall to the ground if not properly installed. Whatever goes up can come down, except in space.
(Insert image of a TV crashed into the ground)
One of the dastardly things that can happen to a device owner is if it comes crashing into the ground. Asides from the damage done to the device itself, in the case of a TV, it can come crashing into other valuables like expensive chandeliers, vases, tables, or worse, a child or pet. An analysis of ER visits showed that every month, about 2 to 3 children die nationally from fallen TVs. This is why it is extremely important to have your TV properly mounted onto the wall.
In this article, you will learn the reasons why your mounted TV may fall as well as how to prevent your mounted TV from falling.
Why would my mounted TV fall?
There are many reasons why your mounted TV may fall to the ground. The reason for a fallen TV could be as simple as a single loose screw, or an omitted screw. It could also be as complex as a weak wall, an overweight TV, or as extreme as a huge storm or an earth tremor. Your mounted TV can fall due to so many reasons. Below is a list of the most likely reasons for a fallen TV:
- Your TV is Poorly or loosely Fitted onto the wall
(Insert image of a TV/mount with screws at its back)
If the TV is poorly fitted onto the wall, it can become wobbly and easily fall to the ground. Here are some of the causes of a poor fitting of your TV:
- A missing screw or bolt
- A missing washer
- A broken screw or bolt
- Larger pilot holes than the screws
- Inappropriate screws used
- A loosely fitted screw
To Prevent a poorly or loosely fitted TV
- Always check that all screw holes have been properly fitted.
- Ensure you use the appropriate screws in the screw holes, and more importantly, don’t forget to use the washers!
- Test the screws in each screw hole first before proceeding to screw them in.
- When drilling your holes into the wall, ensure you use the correct drill bits that correspond to the size of the screws that would go in them.
- Do not over-tighten the screws. It can cause the screw head to snap, or misthread the screw.
- Always ensure that the appropriate tools are used in mounting your TV. If they are not readily available, wait till they are or contact a professional.
- When mounting your TV onto a stud wall, ensure you drill your pilot holes into the studs and not anywhere else. Failure to do so will cause your TV to fall to pull through and fall to the ground.
- You are Using a low-quality TV mount
(Insert image of TV mounts)
Using a TV mount of lower quality can be responsible for a mounted TV falling to the ground. The quality of the TV mount used in installing your TV plays a huge role in determining whether or not your mounted TV falls. A higher-quality TV mount is more likely to withstand the weight of your TV than its counterpart of lower quality. It is important to do some personal research to consider the type of TV mount suitable for your TV set before purchasing it and always opt for one with a higher quality
To Prevent Using a low-quality TV Mount
- Opt for a TV mount made with steel instead of those made with plastic or aluminum.
- Go for a TV mount that is heat-treated and powder coated. This ensures that the mount can bear the heat from the TV and withstand its weight.
- Ensure that your TV mount is compatible with the VESA mounting pattern (i.e a pattern of 4 screw holes set at the back of your TV)
- Overloading your TV mount/bracket
(Image of TV bracket and rating)
Each TV mount has its rating which shows the maximum TV weight the mount can hold. A TV mount with a rating lower than the size and weight of your TV may hold for a while but will ultimately give in. It is important to always choose a mount with a suitable rating for your TV set.
To Prevent Overloading your TV mount
- Check the specifications of the mount, noting the maximum size and weight that the mount can hold. (You should find this on the box of your TV mount)
- Always check the weight and size of your TV set. (This is available on the box of your television)
- Opt for a TV mount with a rating higher than, or at least equal to the size of your TV.
- Your Wall is Weak or Inappropriate for Mounting a TV
(Image of dry wall, stud wall, and others)
This is often overlooked because it is hardly the cause of a fallen TV, but even with the best installation, if the wall for mounting is weak or not suitable for mounting any heavy load, your TV can pull through the wall and fall to the ground, causing serious damage. It is very important to consider the type of wall and the strength of the wall you are mounting on.
To Prevent Your Mounted TV from pulling through the wall
- Make sure you are mounting on a load-bearing wall.
- As much as possible, stick to mounting on a solid brick or concrete wall. Although dry walls and stud walls can bear your load, they may need extra anchors.
NB: when in doubt about the strength of your wall, contact a professional for extra clarity.
- Improper bracket installation
(Bracket Image)
Even with the best quality TV mount and the proper rating, your mounted TV can still fall to the ground if the bracket is not installed properly. Below are general tips on how to properly install your TV mount and bracket:
Quick tips for mounting your TV
- Determine the exact position where you want your TV mounted
- Using a stud finder, locate and mark out where the studs are.
- Align your bracket/mount with the studs and mark your pilot holes.
- Drill your pilot holes into the wall studs.
- Attach the bracket onto the wall and screw them in.
- Fasten the mounting plate to the back of the TV
- Mount your TV to the wall.
Final notes on your mounted TV falling to the ground
For a piece of metal responsible for holding your expensive TV in place for months or years, it is never a good idea to try cutting costs. Quality requires quality. Get a TV mount fitting strong enough to hold in place your expensive TV for a long time or you risk it falling to the ground or on other valuables.