Loose mantle over fireplace !

[Wootchie]

For three years our fireplace mantel has been tilting out away from the wall.
Deciding to try and fix it, I found that the mantle supports were secured to the brick wall with wooden dowels liberally coated with liquid nails after the bricks were in place. The dowels had started sliding out of the brick mortar.
Should I try a different method of attaching supports ? The mantle itself is made up of probably seven 2 x 4's, laminated together and stained much like a butcher block style. Weight wise, I am concerned about the use of wooden dowels again, as the original had. Any help out here ?
Thanks...................Wootchie. :coffee:

[chfite]

The dowels should work fine if they are the right size. They would not need the liquid nails if they were the right size. I would replace them with ones that fit snugly into the holes. They should slide right in. Then drill a pilot hole for the screws and mount the mantel.

An altenative would be to use an anchor either lead or plastic in the same manner. Use the size that snugly fits and mount the mantel.

Hope this helps.