What to Do When Your Skybell Is Hard to Mount
Installing a Skybell video doorbell is a great way to enhance your home's security, but the process can be challenging if you have difficult wall surfaces or limited space. If you are finding your Skybell hard to mount, this expert guide is here to provide practical solutions.
We will cover the common obstacles, from drilling into tough materials to dealing with uneven surfaces, ensuring you can achieve a secure and professional-looking installation.
Common Symptoms of a Difficult Skybell Installation
If you are facing a tough installation, you will likely recognise these issues:
- Drill won't penetrate the wall: You are applying pressure, but the drill is making little to no progress.
- Screws aren't gripping: The screws for the mounting plate just spin in the holes and never tighten.
- Mounting plate rocks or wobbles: The backplate is not stable and does not sit flat against the wall.
- The device won't attach to the plate: The main Skybell unit feels loose or simply will not lock onto the mounting plate.
- Limited space: The doorframe or mounting area is very narrow, making it difficult to position the device.
- The wall surface is crumbling: The material around the screw holes is soft and does not provide a solid anchor.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Overcoming Mounting Challenges
Let's tackle these problems one by one with proven techniques and professional advice.
1. Drilling into Difficult Surfaces
This is the most common hurdle. Success depends entirely on using the right tools.
- Brick, Stone, or Concrete: A standard drill is not enough. You need a hammer drill and a masonry drill bit. The hammer action pulverises the hard material, allowing the bit to clear it away.
- Technique: Start drilling slowly to create a small pilot divot, which will prevent the bit from "walking" across the surface. Then, increase the speed and apply firm, steady pressure.
- Hardwood or Dense Materials: Use a sharp wood drill bit to create a pilot hole. This should be slightly smaller than the screw's diameter. This prevents the wood from splitting and makes driving the screw much easier.
- Stucco: Stucco can be brittle. Use a masonry bit and start slowly to avoid chipping a large chunk away. Once you are through the stucco layer, you will need to continue into the wood or block behind it.
2. Achieving a Solid Foundation on Uneven Walls
The Skybell mounting plate must be perfectly flat for the device to attach correctly.
- Scrape and Clean: Remove any old paint, sealant, or debris from the mounting area to get the flattest surface possible.
- Use Shims, Not Force: If you have a textured or uneven wall (like pebble-dash or uneven stonework), do not try to flatten the plate by overtightening the screws. This will warp the plastic. Instead, place small plastic shims or even washers behind the screw holes to fill the low spots and create a stable, level base.
- Dealing with Crumbly Walls: If the wall material is too soft, the screws won't hold. A simple fix is to drill a slightly larger hole, fill it with a strong wood filler or epoxy resin, let it cure completely, and then drill a new, correctly-sized pilot hole in the solid filler.
3. Securing the Mount and Device
Once you have solid holes and a flat surface, the rest of the process should be smooth.
- Use Wall Plugs: When mounting into anything other than solid wood, you must insert wall plugs (anchors) into your drilled holes before the screws. The screw expands the plug, creating a tight, secure grip inside the wall.
- Wire Management: Ensure the doorbell wires are tucked neatly into the central recess of the mounting plate. A trapped wire will prevent the Skybell from sitting flush.
- The Final Lock: Before attaching the Skybell, make sure the small set screw at the bottom is loosened. Once the device is on the plate, tighten this screw to lock it securely in place.
By selecting the right tools and patiently preparing the mounting surface, you can overcome even the most challenging installations and fit your Skybell securely.