grandmabarb56

We have an antique mantel we want to attach to a brick wall.We do not see any gaps on the back. It is flat. How do we attach it without drilling through the front,and keep it flush to the wall?

Wuzzat?

There is only a small downward vertical force on the mantel from its own weight.
If you have a router you can cut recesses in the back surface of the mantel and mount flat metal plates with keyhole shaped slots in them.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=recessed+screw+fastener+keyhole&um=1&hl=e n&safe=off&client=safari&sa=N&tbo=d&rls=en&biw=102 0&bih=764&tbm=isch&tbnid=nW0Dt32qa0mJOM:&imgrefurl =http://aa1966bw196der1842.blogspot.com/2012/01/hanger-plate-keyhole-fastener-10-pack-l.html&docid=wQTBvuzTdyaaTM&itg=1&imgurl=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/117x-5fq0PL._SL500_.jpg&w=144&h=214&ei=_XgBUbn4OKu20AHm 5YHQAg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=623&sig=1027931546170154 24895&page=1&tbnh=148&tbnw=109&start=0&ndsp=26&ved =1t:429,r:5,s:0,i:99&tx=43&ty=65
Then you put two screws with anchors in the masonry and have the screw heads stick out slightly. The large hole part of the keyhole goes over the screwhead and when you push down on the mantel (mantle?) it tightens against the wall as the screw shaft goes up the elongated slot part of the fastener.
Using more than two screws will result in only two of the screws bearing the load.

nealtw

Wuzzat's link is a good idea. It will require some router work or chisel work to inset it flush to the back of the mantel. You may need a few of these, depending on the weight of the mantel, lining everthing up with the screws may be a bit tricky. And welcome to the site. It is better to start a new thread rather than piggy back on an old one.

Now I see you have reposted.

lesliemorris85

it might be a good idea to check the state of your brick wall too.