Croydex Flexi-Fix - User Manual

KEEP DIY TOOLS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN
Safety and Care Advice :
- Always take care when using power tools, particularly in the bathroom.
- Always check for hidden cables and pipework before drilling and take extreme care
if there is any water in the working area.
- It is advisable to use a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB).
- Always wear suitable eye protection when drilling.
- If the product is to be fitted on a ceramic tiled wall, a ceramic drill bit should be used.
- Always ensure that the drill hole passes through the central tiled area rather than
through the grouted area. To prevent damage to the tile, mask the area around the hole
with tape before drilling.
Additional Information :
- Maximum safe working load for the shelf is 2kg evenly distributed.
- Wall brackets can be removed by twisting the bracket in an anti-clockwise direction.
- Adhesive residue can be removed by carefully scraping the wall surface with a blunt instrument.
Tools required
THESE ARE SUPPLIED
- Not suitable for unfinished materials such as brick, blockwork and loose, flaky surfaces.
Important Adhesive Information :
- The adhesive is suitable for use on most flat finished surfaces, such as gloss paint, tiles, polished stone,
laminates and textured surfaces.
- Do not use on decorative wall paper finishes.
WMA 058 R03
- Redecoration may be required on some painted surfaces after removal.

Summary

Tools and Safety Information

Tools Required

Lists the tools necessary for installation and indicates which ones are supplied with the product.

Child Safety Warning

Crucial instruction to keep all DIY tools out of the reach of children during installation and use.

General Safety and Care Advice

Provides essential precautions for using power tools, electrical safety, eye protection, and drilling on tiles.

Additional Installation Information

Details the maximum safe working load and methods for removing wall brackets and adhesive residue.

Important Adhesive Information

Outlines suitable surfaces for adhesive, surfaces to avoid, and potential redecoration needs.

Fitting Instructions: Using Existing Holes

Removing Old Wall Plate

Step 1: Instructions for removing an existing wall plate before fitting the new accessory.

Wall Plate Compatibility Check

Step 2: Verifies the Flexi-Fix wall plate fits existing hole centres within a specified range (15mm-34mm apart).

Securing Product to Wall Plate

Step 3: How to attach the accessory to the wall plate by tightening the grub screw underneath.

Bracket Adjustment

Instructions for adjusting shelf and towel rail brackets, with caution to avoid scratching and overtightening.

Fitting Instructions: Drilling New Holes

Marking Screw Hole Centres

Step 1: Pencil marking of screw hole centres for wall plates, with a tip for ensuring horizontal placement.

Recommended Wall Plate Centres

Specifies recommended centre distances for shelf (440mm) and towel rail (600mm) wall plates.

Drilling and Inserting Wall Plugs

Step 2 & 3: Drilling holes and inserting wall plugs, with a note on plug suitability for solid walls only.

Fixing Wall Plates

Step 3 (cont.): Securing wall plates to the wall using the supplied screws.

Securing Product and Bracket Adjustment

Steps 4 & 5: Attaching the product and adjusting brackets for alignment, with cautions for careful handling.

Fitting Instructions: Adhesive Fixing Method

Surface Preparation Note

Important reminder to ensure all surfaces are clean and free from dirt and soap residue before applying.

Assembling Wall Plate Components

Steps 1 & 2: Assembling the wall plate, locking nut, alignment guide, and removing backing from adhesive pad.

Positioning and Adhesion

Steps 3 & 4: Placing the assembled plate, pressing firmly, and removing the plate to leave the alignment guide.

Applying Adhesive

Step 5: Applying a generous, uniform thickness of adhesive to the back of the wall plate.

Setting and Securing

Steps 6 & 7: Placing plate over guide, securing with nut, leaving for 24 hours, then tightening the grub screw.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The Flexi-Fix system offers a versatile solution for mounting bathroom accessories, designed to simplify installation whether you're utilizing existing holes, drilling new ones, or opting for an adhesive fixing method. This system aims to make the process easier for users, providing flexibility and convenience.

Function Description

The core function of the Flexi-Fix system is to securely mount various bathroom accessories, such as shelves and towel rails, to a wall. It achieves this through a unique wall plate design that can accommodate different installation scenarios. The system is engineered to provide a stable and reliable attachment for accessories, ensuring they remain firmly in place during use.

When using existing holes, the Flexi-Fix wall plate is designed to fit a range of hole centres, specifically between 15mm and 34mm apart. This adaptability is crucial for users who wish to replace old accessories without the need for new drilling. The wall plate is secured to the wall, and then the accessory's bracket slides onto the wall plate, tightened by a grub screw underneath. This method ensures a clean and efficient replacement process.

For new installations requiring drilling, the system provides clear guidelines for marking and drilling screw hole centres. Recommended wall plate centres are specified for different accessories, such as 440mm for shelves and 600mm for towel rails, to ensure proper alignment and stability. After drilling and inserting wall plugs (suitable for solid walls, with a note for specialist fixings for cavity walls), the wall plates are fixed with screws. The accessory brackets then slide onto these wall plates, with grub screws allowing for final adjustments and secure fastening.

The adhesive fixing method offers a drill-free alternative, ideal for tiled walls or situations where drilling is not preferred. This method involves assembling the wall plate with a locking nut and an alignment guide, which has an adhesive pad. The alignment guide is pressed onto the desired location, and once the backing is removed, the wall plate is secured. A generous amount of adhesive is applied to the back of the wall plate, which is then carefully placed over the alignment guide. The locking nut secures the wall plate while the adhesive sets, requiring a 24-hour curing period for optimal strength. Once the adhesive has fully set, the accessory is attached to the wall plate using the grub screw.

The system incorporates adjustable brackets for both shelves and towel rails, allowing users to fine-tune the width and ensure a level installation. This adjustability is key to accommodating slight variations in wall plate positioning or personal preference.

Usage Features

The Flexi-Fix system is designed with several features to enhance its usability and ensure a straightforward installation experience:

• Versatile Installation Options: The primary usage feature is the choice between using existing holes, drilling new holes, or employing an adhesive fixing method. This flexibility caters to different user needs, wall types, and preferences, making it accessible to a wide range of DIY skill levels.
• Adjustable Brackets: For both shelves and towel rails, the brackets can be adjusted in width. This feature is particularly useful for achieving a perfectly level installation and for accommodating minor discrepancies in wall plate alignment. Loosening the grub screws on the underside of each pillar allows for this adjustment, which can then be tightened to secure the accessory in its final position.
• Clear Measurement Guidelines: The manual provides specific measurements for recommended wall plate centres (e.g., 440mm for shelves, 600mm for towel rails), aiding in precise marking and drilling for new installations. This helps users achieve a professional and aesthetically pleasing result.
• Alignment Guides for Adhesive Method: The adhesive fixing method includes an alignment guide with an adhesive pad. This guide helps in accurately positioning the wall plate before the main adhesive is applied, simplifying the process and reducing the chance of misalignment.
• Grub Screw Fastening: Accessories are secured to the wall plates using grub screws located underneath. This design provides a clean finish, as the fastening mechanism is hidden from view, contributing to the overall aesthetic of the installed accessory.
• Compatibility with Various Surfaces: The adhesive is suitable for most flat finished surfaces, including gloss paint, tiles, polished stone, laminates, and textured surfaces. This broad compatibility makes the adhesive method a viable option for many bathroom environments.
• Safety Reminders: The manual emphasizes safety precautions, such as checking for hidden cables and pipework, wearing eye protection when drilling, and using a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB). These reminders are crucial for ensuring a safe installation process, especially in a bathroom environment.
• Ceramic Tile Specific Advice: For installations on ceramic tiled walls, the manual advises using a ceramic drill bit and ensuring the drill hole passes through the central tiled area rather than the grouted area. Masking the area around the hole with tape before drilling is also recommended to prevent damage to the tile.

Maintenance Features

While the Flexi-Fix system primarily focuses on installation, certain aspects relate to the long-term care and potential removal of the accessories:

• Adhesive Residue Removal: In cases where the adhesive fixing method is used and the accessory needs to be removed, adhesive residue can be carefully scraped off the wall surface using a blunt instrument. This feature ensures that the wall can be restored to its original condition without significant damage.
• Wall Bracket Removal: The wall brackets, particularly those used with the Flexi-Fix wall plates, can be removed by twisting them in an anti-clockwise direction. This suggests a design that allows for the easy detachment of the accessory from the wall plate, which could be useful for cleaning or replacement of the accessory itself.
• Adhesive Shelf Life Consideration: The manual includes a note regarding the "use by date" for the adhesive. This is an important maintenance consideration, as using expired adhesive could compromise the strength and durability of the bond. Users are advised to obtain a new tube if the adhesive has exceeded its use-by date, ensuring optimal performance.
• Redecoration Potential: The manual notes that redecoration may be required on some painted surfaces after adhesive removal. While not a direct maintenance feature of the device, it's an important consideration for users regarding the long-term care of their walls after using the adhesive method.
• Maximum Safe Working Load: The specification of a maximum safe working load (e.g., 2kg evenly distributed for a shelf) serves as a maintenance guideline. Adhering to this limit helps prevent damage to the accessory or its mounting, ensuring its longevity and safe use. Overloading could lead to structural failure or detachment from the wall.
• General Care Advice: Although not explicitly detailed as maintenance, the general safety and care advice provided at the beginning of the manual, such as taking care when using power tools and checking for hidden elements, indirectly contributes to the long-term integrity of the installation by preventing initial damage during fitting.

Croydex Flexi-Fix Specifications

General

Adjustable Height	No
Suitable For	Bathroom
Installation Type	Wall Mounted
Mounting	Wall
Fixing System	Screw fix
Material	Various (dependent on specific product)
Finish	Various (dependent on specific product)