Wall plug

Plain-English definition

A wall plug (often called a Rawlplug in the UK) is a small plastic or nylon sleeve inserted into a hole drilled in masonry or brickwork. When a screw is driven into it, the plug expands outward, gripping the sides of the hole tightly.

Why it matters

Screws cannot grip into brittle materials like brick, concrete, or stone on their own—they simply grind the material away into dust and pull out. The wall plug provides the necessary friction and compression to hold the screw securely in place, allowing you to hang heavy items safely.

Common mistake

The most common mistake is using a drill bit that is too large for the plug. If the plug spins freely when you try to drive the screw in, the hole is too big, and the fixing will fail. Always check the packaging for the exact drill bit size required (e.g., a standard red plug usually requires a 6mm bit).