We sell wall safes CLICK HERE to view them, but we've created this guide to show you how to install it.
Wall safes used to be popular in the 1960s and 1970s, they are not that popular anymore. Insurance companies don't love them and they are extremely limited on size and what you can actually store inside the safe as they are very, very small.
Installing wall safes that are the equivalent of UK house brick sizes is a fairly involved process and there are points to consider.
The size of the safe you can install is restricted by the thickness of the walls.
A solid wall must be at least 9 inches thick, or it may be fitted in an 11 inch cavity wall.
It is quite likely that the only walls of sufficient thickness will be outside walls.
Chimney breasts (that are no longer used for a fire) are also potential locations for a wall safe.
Remember also that building blocks do not provide a secure fixing, and that safes should be installed away from 'weak spots' such as the edge of a wall.
(you should consult a qualified builder or surveyor to confirm the advice in this guide)
Taking into account the above advice, select a suitable site for your wall safe.
Ideally it should be hidden, but also positioned where limited space would make it difficult to attack.
Make sure there are no wires, pipes or anything else that could be damaged running behind where the safe is to be installed and could be damaged in the process.
Mark the required position of the safe with a pen or pencil.
Next, drill a small test hole within the confines of your marked out area to the required depth of your safe to determine if the depth of your wall is sufficient. Use the depth gauge on your drill. Make sure you use a detector to determine of there are any pipes or cables where you are drilling and also be aware that plastic pipes do not register on a detector.
Now your going to start to chisel out a rectangular shape at least a minimum of 1 inch bigger than the proportions of the front of the safe.
The hole in the wall must be an inch bigger on all sides than the actual safe.
Drill a hole in each corner and use a hammer and chisel to remove the plaster.
A tip from the experts at London & Home Counties Safes - spraying the opening with plenty of water keeps dust down to a minimum.
Use a drill to weaken the bricks so they can be removed more easily.
An alternative method is to drill rows of holes all the way round so the block falls out more or less in one piece.
Take care to ensure that rubble does not fall down the cavity (if it's a cavity wall) as this can lead to problems with damp.
Line the cavity with cardboard to prevent this.
Remove as much dust as possible, and wet the wall thoroughly to ensure that the mortar will stick.
Check the fit of the safe and then mix up some sharp sand, cement and Grano dust (one part cement to three parts sand and Grano dust) to secure it.
Grano dust is available from builders' merchants and will make the mortar much harder.
Position the safe into the aperture, use some wooden wedges underneath the safe to lift it up so that you've got an equal space around all four sides of the safe for the mortar.
Lay a neat pile of mortar at the bottom of the safe and in between the wooden wedges
Use a piece of wood to make sure it's flush with the wall and a spirit level to make sure that it's level.
Tape up the side of the safe using masking tape to protect the hinges, and cement it in place, pushing the mortar well back.
For a smooth finish set back the mortar and then cover it with a layer of plaster for a smooth finish.
With installation complete, our London & Home Counties Safes wall safe is now installed neatly into the wall.
Hide your wall safe by hanging a large enough painting or framed photograph over it. This keeps the safe out of sight while still allowing you to access it when needed.
