Help! Snapped screw while installing bathroom mirror – what now?

Hi all – I attempted to install a bathroom mirror and have unfortunately made an absolute mess of it... I’d really appreciate advice on how best to fix it and complete the installation securely. Context: The wall is plasterboard with cement board behind (confirmed by a kitchen fitter who gave us a quote and we haven't yet hired). The mirror is large and relatively heavy. It has two metal brackets on the back for hanging. I used the 2x ~10cm screws and wall plugs provided with the mirror (pictured). What went wrong: Ironically, I chose a mirror big enough to cover two old screw holes from the previous owner’s mirror—but didn’t reuse them since they didn’t line up with my brackets. I wasn’t confident that the provided fixings would hold securely, so I asked ChatGPT, which recommended GripIt plasterboard fixings. I bought some, drilled a ~2cm hole, got through the plasterboard and hit something solid—later confirmed by a kitchen fitter to be cement backer board. The hook now sits loosely in the oversized hole. Since I’d hit cement board, ChatGPT then said GripIts weren’t needed, and that I could screw straight in. I drilled a tighter hole and attempted to screw it in manually (with pliers for leverage), but the screw snapped off in the wall. Photos attached: Wall as it currently looks. Wall with annotations: Red – snapped screw Blue – GripIt hole with loose hook Green – old screw holes from previous mirror Mirror - back side showing brackets. Fixings provided with the mirror - broken screw (the other is in the wall and wall plugs). Questions: How should I fix or fill the two messed-up holes? Any tips on how to get this mirror aligned and hung securely once and for all? Should I drill new holes entirely? If so, what kind of fixing works best for cement board behind plasterboard? Thanks so much in advance – I’d be very grateful for any advice!! submitted by /u/jellychocrip [link] [comments]

Mar 31, 2025 - 15:04

Hi all – I attempted to install a bathroom mirror and have unfortunately made an absolute mess of it... I’d really appreciate advice on how best to fix it and complete the installation securely.

Context:

The wall is plasterboard with cement board behind (confirmed by a kitchen fitter who gave us a quote and we haven't yet hired).
The mirror is large and relatively heavy.
It has two metal brackets on the back for hanging.
I used the 2x ~10cm screws and wall plugs provided with the mirror (pictured).

What went wrong:

Ironically, I chose a mirror big enough to cover two old screw holes from the previous owner’s mirror—but didn’t reuse them since they didn’t line up with my brackets.
I wasn’t confident that the provided fixings would hold securely, so I asked ChatGPT, which recommended GripIt plasterboard fixings. I bought some, drilled a ~2cm hole, got through the plasterboard and hit something solid—later confirmed by a kitchen fitter to be cement backer board. The hook now sits loosely in the oversized hole.
Since I’d hit cement board, ChatGPT then said GripIts weren’t needed, and that I could screw straight in. I drilled a tighter hole and attempted to screw it in manually (with pliers for leverage), but the screw snapped off in the wall.

Photos attached:

Wall as it currently looks.
Wall with annotations:
- Red – snapped screw
- Blue – GripIt hole with loose hook
- Green – old screw holes from previous mirror
Mirror - back side showing brackets.
Fixings provided with the mirror - broken screw (the other is in the wall and wall plugs).

Questions:

How should I fix or fill the two messed-up holes?
Any tips on how to get this mirror aligned and hung securely once and for all?
Should I drill new holes entirely? If so, what kind of fixing works best for cement board behind plasterboard?

Thanks so much in advance – I’d be very grateful for any advice!!

submitted by /u/jellychocrip
[link] [comments]