Instead use a screw because they won t break the plaster wall.
Hanging heavy things on plaster walls.
Screws and screws with masonry anchors for heavy items are your best choice for hanging things on plaster walls without picture rail.
Clean and dry the wall.
Plaster hooks or hanging picture hooks are a common solution for hanging pictures on plaster wall.
If you can hang your heavy object in line with a stud and screw a long screw directly into the stud that s always the best option.
Studs can help support the weight of heavy objects.
Hanging heavy objects on the wall can be tricky and with all the options available out there downright confusing.
Move the stud finder approximately 16 inches to the right or left of the mark.
Find a stud if you can.
If your walls are made of plaster or drywall one option is to affix the object to a spot on the wall directly into a stud.
How to hang heavy objects on plaster walls step 1.
Hanging heavy objects 1.
Move the stud finder over the plaster wall across the spot where the heavy object will hang.
Plaster is more easily damaged than drywall so it s recommended to tap into the supporting studs where possible.
Pre drill a hole at the spot where you want to.
Before you attach an adhesive to a plaster wall you need to clean the surface of the plaster.
Although plaster walls are thicker and denser than drywall they re also hollow so require heavy duty fasteners to secure weightier objects.
They can generally support pictures of up to 20 pounds.
Choose an adhesive hanger.
Even more so if you live in an old house with plaster and lath walls.
For these purposes a picture is considered light if it weighs 5 lbs 2 25 kg or less.
Use a magnetic stud finder to locate the wooden studs hidden behind the plaster wall.
As mentioned earlier avoid using nails on plaster wall because they will likely cause the drywall to crack.
For lighter items simply screwing into the plaster with a 1 1 4 drywall screw is usually enough to get the job done.