The Spruce / Marty Baldwin
Great things were meant to be displayed.
When the wall is cinder block, though, it can be a challenge to make those things stick.
Because cinder block is hard likeconcrete, it’s no simple matter to nail or screw into it.
The Spruce / Marty Baldwin
Its surface is porous, so tape tends to pull away.
Plus, there are a few permanent ways to help you attach heavier items like shelves with relative ease.
Mounting Putty
Mounting putty is a sticky, clay-like material that comes in sticks or cubes.
The Spruce / Marty Baldwin
It’s rolled into balls by hand and used as a substitute for pushpins or tacks.
Because it can be mounded up, it can even hold light-weight decorative objects like coins or keys.
Mounting putty can be removed, leaving behind little to no oily residue.
The Spruce / Marty Baldwin
It can be reused a number of times.
The pins are stepped back and ready for hammering.
Hardwall hangers are used only for hanging items and cannot be used to mount ashelf.
The Spruce / Marty Baldwin
Hardwall hangers are semi-permanent.
So, with a claw hammer, it’s easy to pull out the plastic hook.
Because the pins have no heads, the hook will pull straight out, leaving the pins behind.
The Spruce / Marty Baldwin
Be careful when hammering items into cinder block.
The cinder block material is quite brittle, especially in the hollow areas of the block.
Curing time is fast: just a couple of minutes.
The Spruce / Marty Baldwin
The holding capacity of hot glue on the cinder block is only a few ounces.
For extra holding capacity, look for construction-grade hot melt glue sticks.
If you go that route, you’ll also need to purchase a high-temperature hot melt gun.
The Spruce / Marty Baldwin
The thin foam backing helps the hooks stick to the cinder block.
Be sure to clean the cinder block withrubbing alcoholfirst for maximum adhesion.
Landscape Block Adhesive
Adhesives tend to shy away from porous materials like cinder block.
The Spruce / Marty Baldwin
But landscape block adhesive loves to stick to cinder block and it stays stuck for a long time.
Landscape block adhesive is a paste-like heavy-duty exterior adhesive used for things like attaching block caps toretaining walls.
But it can be used whenever you need a reliable cinder block adhesive.
The Spruce / Marty Baldwin
Use landscape block adhesive for permanently attaching medium-weight items like shelves that are no more than 50 pounds.
Use landscape adhesive judiciously and only for permanent additions to the cinder block.
That’s because landscape adhesive is difficult to remove from the wall.
Tip
Concrete screws require specific-sized drilled holes to accommodate the size of the fastener being used.
The hole must terminate in an open cavity.
Since cinder blocks are hollow inside, they are an ideal match for expansion bolts.
Self-Sticking Display Strips
For sticking lightweight things to cinder block walls, display strips are perfect.
Display strips come in rolls 1-1/2 inches wide by 12 feet long.
The adhesive is activated by a water mist.
When the adhesive loses its stickiness, it’s easily rejuvenated by an additional spritz of water.
Made of lightweight fabric, display strips are removable and can be moved to another location.
Because display strips are non-marking, they leave the previous surface in perfect condition.
