Barometer hanging in Exeter
Professional barometer hanging services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
15-20 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Traditional barometer hung level on your wall with proper fixings. Old-school weather forecasting that actually looks good.
Proper Weather Prediction Before Apps Existed
You've got a beautiful traditional barometer. Maybe inherited, maybe picked up at an antique shop, maybe a reproduction. It's been sitting in the box for months because you're not sure how to hang it properly without damaging walls or the barometer itself.
These aren't just decorative - a properly positioned barometer can actually predict weather changes better than looking at your phone.
💡 Pro tip: Barometer readings are more useful than the number itself. Falling pressure = bad weather coming. Rising pressure = improving conditions. The rate of change tells you how fast weather's moving in.
Why Barometers Need Care
Unlike hanging a picture, barometers are heavy, valuable, and need to be level.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Rushed Job |
|---|---|
| Level mounting (looks professional) | Noticeably wonky, spoils the look |
| Secure fixings for the weight | Falls off wall, smashes |
| Positioned for easy reading | Too high, too low, or wrong lighting |
| Old plaster walls protected | Holes crumble, wall damaged |
| Calibrated to local pressure | Reading's miles off |
Types Of Barometer
⚖️ Aneroid Barometer The common round dial type. Mechanical movement inside, no mercury. These are usually what people inherit or buy as reproductions.
🧪 Mercury Barometer The traditional column-style. Less common now (mercury regulations), but proper antique ones are beautiful. These are heavier and more delicate.
🏛️ Banjo Barometers The tall, elegant wall-mounted type. Often antique, always heavy, need very secure fixings.
🎨 Weather Stations Combined barometer, thermometer, and hygrometer in one frame. Popular Victorian/Edwardian style.
Positioning Matters
Best Location:
- Interior wall (not external - temperature affects readings)
- Eye level for easy reading
- Hallway or landing ideal
- Away from direct sun, radiators, or drafts
Avoid:
- Kitchen (steam and temperature changes)
- Bathroom (humidity)
- Above radiators (heat rises)
- Direct sunlight (fades dial, affects mechanism)
What I'll Do
🔧 The Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Position | Mark exact location at right height |
| Level | Use spirit level to ensure perfectly horizontal |
| Fix | Proper wall fixings for weight and wall type |
| Hang | Mount barometer securely |
| Calibrate | Set to current Exeter pressure (if adjustable) |
📦 Fixings Used I bring various fixings depending on your wall type:
- Solid wall: Rawlplugs and screws
- Lath and plaster: Long fixings into timber
- Stud wall: Hollow wall anchors or stud fixings
- Heavy barometers: Multiple fixings or hanging systems
Pricing
| Service | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard barometer hanging | 15-20 mins | £60 |
| Heavy/antique barometer | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Multiple instruments | 30-45 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum. Quick job but needs doing properly.
Why Choose Us for Barometer hanging in Exeter?
Hung perfectly level for accurate readings
Securely mounted (many are quite heavy)
Positioned for easy reading
Old-fashioned proper wall fixings
What to Expect
Step 1: Choose Position
We discuss best height and location. I'll advise if there are better spots for accurate readings or easier visibility.
Step 2: Mount Securely
Mark position, check level, fit appropriate fixings for your wall type and barometer weight.
Step 3: Hang & Calibrate
Hang the barometer, double-check it's level, and calibrate to current pressure if it's adjustable.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to hang your barometer yourself? Here's how:
🔧 Tools needed
- Spirit level (important!)
- Drill and appropriate drill bit
- Rawlplugs or wall anchors
- Screws (check barometer fixing hole size)
- Pencil for marking
- Tape measure
📐 Hanging process
- Decide on height (eye level is usually 150-160cm from floor)
- Mark where fixing will go
- Use spirit level to ensure mark is level (if two fixings needed)
- Drill holes, insert rawlplugs
- Screw in partially
- Hang barometer
- Check level again before tightening fully
⚙️ Calibration
- Look up current barometric pressure for Exeter (Met Office website)
- Most aneroid barometers have small screw on back for adjustment
- Use small screwdriver to turn until needle points to current pressure
- Note: some antique barometers can't/shouldn't be adjusted
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Using fixings that are too small for the weight
- Drilling into cavity walls without hollow wall anchors
- Not checking level before drilling
- Hanging near heat source (affects readings)
💡 Pro trick: If hanging a banjo barometer (tall style), mark top fixing position first, hang on one fixing, check vertical with spirit level, then mark lower fixing. Much easier than trying to get two fixings level independently.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Antique barometers? If yours is valuable, consider insurance valuation. Some Victorian barometers are worth serious money, and I treat them accordingly.
Don't worry about altitude adjustment. Exeter's pretty much at sea level (0-50m elevation), so barometer readings don't need altitude compensation like they would in hill areas.
Tap the glass gently before reading. This frees the needle mechanism so you get the current reading, not where it stuck yesterday.
Exeter's microclimates: Weather in Exeter can differ from Exmouth or Dartmoor. Your barometer reads your local pressure, which is what matters for your weather.
Period properties: Many older Exeter houses already have faded rectangular patches on hallway walls where Victorian barometers used to hang. These spots often work well for new ones - right height, good position, probably a stud behind the plaster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a barometer need to be level?
It doesn't technically - the mercury or aneroid mechanism works at any angle. But a wonky barometer looks terrible on the wall, and if it's got scale markings those need to be level to read properly.
Can you hang antique barometers?
Yes - I'm used to dealing with old instruments. Traditional barometers are often quite heavy and need proper wall fixings, not just a nail. I'll make sure it's secure without damaging the piece.
Where's the best place to hang a barometer?
Inside wall if possible (not external wall where temperature changes affect it), away from direct sunlight, and not near radiators or drafts. Basically: hallway or landing is ideal.
What if my walls are lath and plaster?
Common in older Exeter houses. I use longer fixings that go through the plaster into the solid structure behind. Traditional barometers can be heavy - they need proper support.
Will you set it to the correct pressure?
If it's adjustable, yes. I can check current Exeter barometric pressure and calibrate it. Though many people like the antique dial positions left as-is for character.
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