Such a clear and concise descriptive style and soothing voice. Thank you. Came here to once and for all learn how to drill into/hang things onto my (circa 1929) childhood home with lath and plaster interior & stucco exterior walls. Now I know everything! Instant subscribe.
Thank you! Your explanations and demonstrations are clear, concise, and very helpful. My daughter asked about how to hang her pictures in her tiny house she built. I am sending her a link to your video.
Mr. McElhiney, I enjoyed watching this video on ways to hang pictures using a variety of anchors and bolts. I just finished painting a bedroom for a client of mine and she would like me to help her install some pictures on plaster walls. As you recommended, I will first try the plastic expandable anchors first to see how they work.
Pull down on the screw and tug on it a bit to test it, a good anchor in strong wall material shouldn't budge and should hold a few pounds easily. A good option may be to get a pack of different sizes and increase the size if you need to.
Hi and thank you so much for this tutorial! Very clear explanations, technical terminology understandable b/c incorporated into demonstration. OUTSTANDING!
Thank you for this fantastic video! I have just one question. He said that you can hang up to 90lbs from the flip toggle which goes into the lathe, but if you are hanging a TV or mirror then to use the stud. But the TV or mirror weighs significantly less than 90 lbs! I keep seeing this and being confused by it. Are those things REALLY going to hold up to 90lbs, in the lathe? And if so why can't I just use that to hang my mirror? If anyone can help I'd be very appreciative!
It's just a preference to always anchor mirrors and TVs in studs when I can because if they fall, it is disastrous compared to a shelf of books or other heavy item that will survive the fall from the wall. Also, the anchor is ONLY as strong as the wall, so while the anchor may have been tested at 90 pounds, you can't be sure your wall is as good as their test wall. I would not hang anything close to that weight with toggle bolts on plaster and lath walls.
Thank you for a very clear and informative options for hanging things on plaster walls. Just purchased a 1959 home, totally unknowing of plaster walls or the obstacles they pose for doing basically anything. Any knowledge on how to cut into plaster without an angle grinder? I would like to install a between stud medicine cabinet in my bathroom. Would a multi-tool with a tile or masonry blade work?
Cutting through plaster itself isn't too hard and a multitool or grinder would work, though the plaster may chip or crack if you're not careful. The horizontal wood lathes also need to be cut and it might take a while with those tools. There's almost certainly wires in that space too because of the vanity light. Surface mounted would be so much easier.
@@toolsandrepairs The medicine cabinet will actually be on a side wall due to a large tile framed vanity wall mirror. Thanks for your response and heads up on lathes and cracking....ugh!
What do you do if you have plaster over brick and mortar? I think the wood lathe is only behind my interior walls. My exterior walls are all brick and I get scared drilling into them. I used some heavy wall anchors to install my guitar wall mounts and they seem to have worked pretty well, but I also worry about knowing how to check for electrical wires / pipes / etc before drilling and I'm not sure how to know what's safe to drill into and what's not just from looking at the wall...
For plaster over brick, I drill with a masonry bit through the plaster and and into the brick if it's something heavy (you'll notice red dust), or otherwise the mortar is fine for light objects. You can use plastic expansion anchors as long as they are long enough to reach the brick; otherwise you can use concrete screws like Tapcons. As far as electrical wires in the hollow walls, the wires should be going through the middle of the stud, so never use long screws into studs. Drilling through the hollow parts, don't drill past where you need to avoid any wires. Avoid drilling above outlets or near switches to be safer.
@@toolsandrepairs one more question if you don't mind... So my buddy helped me out when I installed the guitar mounts a couple months ago. On the downstairs "party wall" (brick wall dividing my townhome and my neighbors') we used the bit that came with the anchor set. Two of the pilot holes drilled fairly easily but the third one hit a lot of resistance. My buddy is more diy savvy than me and had to put some elbow grease into it until it finally went in. Do you have any idea what might cause resistance like that? Would that be a sign that we hit the mortar between the bricks? I was wired about hitting pipes but he told me they wouldn't be running behind the brick walls. The other question I had is we then drilled upstairs in one spot (again on the party wall) and rather than red dust we got weird looking black / grey spot. Do you think that may have been cinder block? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to learn and improve my DIY skills but drilling into these plaster walls never ceases to make me nervous. When I first moved in I didn't know to avoid drilling above wall switches and went in right above one - luckily I think the wires run below the switch so I narrowly avoided hitting them. 😂
@@johnulcer In general, if you have way more resistance like if it's a metal plate, you have to wonder if that plate was there to prevent drilling or otherwise something important that shouldn't be drilled through and just find another spot. Between houses, I see the black dust a lot, and I think that's just the concrete wall. The wires from outlets or switches can run up or down or through the stud at some point, so it's just a general rule. I've drilled near them, just don't drill very deep and don't punch through the hollow parts- just drill the hole carefully.
@@toolsandrepairs thanks. Yeah that's what I was worried about too when we hit the resistance but he kept pushing. It was a couple months ago and I haven't had any issues so fingers crossed it was a fluke but I definitely was worried at first that we hit a pipe or something... He thought the drill bit just wasn't strong enough and that it may have been a tough edge of a brick.
The weight limits on the package of anchors are pretty accurate in my experience. You could go higher to be safe if you want, so if your item is 25 lbs get a 50 lb anchor and use the screw it comes with.
@@toolsandrepairs Amazing, thanks! Could I hang a heavy (maybe 40 lb) mirror on a flip toggle, as long as it's rated high enough? And could I screw the flip toggle through a mirror hanger, like you showed later in the video?
@@rachelluban2368 You can if there is a wire holding the mirror, then you can install it like that. I like to use two anchors level with each other for large and heavy items to spread the weight on two anchors. But I would first try to find a stud because that would be strongest.
I just used one of those plastic screw in anchors on my wall and now realize that it was a mistake. Can I remove them and go with the toggle bolt in their place still?
Yeah, just remove the anchor by turning it counterclockwise, then drill a 3/8" hole through where the screw-in anchor was and put a toggle through the hole. If you damaged the wall enough, you may need to patch it and install the toggle on an undamaged part of the wall.
Make sure to find the studs with a magnet stud finder and use at least 2 1/2" screws. The railing can be put on with toggles and other products but it will only ever be as strong as the wall so I would only put them in studs.
@@toolsandrepairs We found this video looking for credible info about installing a picture rail on an old, very thick and hard plaster wall. No one else has addressed this situation that we could find, and your video is so informative and concise! And our exact problem is even given in this reply. Thank you
For any plaster wall, including button board, you can use regular old toggle bolts. Just drill a 3/8" hole for the small 1/8" toggles (though the hole will be tight), put the toggle through, and it will hold against the back of the wall once it springs open and you tighten the bolt. For heavy items, try to find a stud to fasten to.
Plaster may cover masonry as well like brick or concrete. Knock on the wall and if it sounds solid, it is probably covering masonry. If it sounds hollow, it's likely a hollow wall with panels or wood lath.
It's possible, but for the rail to support the weight of the TV it would have to be mounted into studs behind the wall. I wouldn't trust the rail if you didn't install it yourself and made sure it is in the studs. If you're installing a new rail, I'd say you may as well find the studs and mount the bracket.
@@toolsandrepairs Thank you, I found the brackets sold for mounting a TV - similar to French pleat so will be using that to ensure TV is truly secure and I am fixing the picture rail myself but will use a heavy mirror wrapped in sheet (it's old junk so won't mind it the worst happens). It's more than twice the weight of the TV, so, a test before I even try to hang the TV. Keep up the good work.
It might dull it a small amount but it goes through fine, and I only have a few holes to drill so not too worried. Just use tape to help avoid the plaster cracking. You can always use a 1/2" masonry bit (for snap toggles) or 9/16" bit (for regular toggle bolts). It's not ideal for wood, so if you're doing a lot of these you can switch back to the paddle bit for drilling through the lath.
I hat toggle bolts andnthink unless its in ceiling or very large ver very heavy onkect then thesea re just way too big holea dn destructive ...and sooo agrivating . Not good for renters either
I agree they should make a 1/4" toggle bolt. So far the one that makes a 3/8" hole is the smallest readily available toggle bolt, otherwise you're better off with a 1/4" plastic expansion anchor if holes are an issue. I saw a 1/4" anchor with a toggle but it's not readily available for cheap.
I wish he had demonstrated some of them. I understand they each cost money, but this video could have payed for the “dollar or two” he claims they cost.
Magnetic stud finders used in the video: amzn.to/3BWjA65 (affiliate link)
Will this is cool because this guy is actually using a plaster wall! Instead of labeling his video plaster and using drywall.
I have a bunch of other plaster videos as well, including this one on plaster wall TV mounting: ua-cam.com/video/a4_Ibn9GsG0/v-deo.html
Fantastic, just moved into a home with plaster walls. Big help, thank you!!
Such a clear and concise descriptive style and soothing voice. Thank you. Came here to once and for all learn how to drill into/hang things onto my (circa 1929) childhood home with lath and plaster interior & stucco exterior walls. Now I know everything! Instant subscribe.
Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful and thank you for subscribing
Thanks man! You saved my 150 year old walls!
No problem, thanks for watching and subscribe for more tips like these
Thank you! Your explanations and demonstrations are clear, concise, and very helpful.
My daughter asked about how to hang her pictures in her tiny house she built. I am sending her a link to your video.
Your welcome! Glad it was helpful and thanks for sharing the link
Mr. McElhiney, I enjoyed watching this video on ways to hang pictures using a variety of anchors and bolts. I just finished painting a bedroom for a client of mine and she would like me to help her install some pictures on plaster walls. As you recommended, I will first try the plastic expandable anchors first to see how they work.
Pull down on the screw and tug on it a bit to test it, a good anchor in strong wall material shouldn't budge and should hold a few pounds easily. A good option may be to get a pack of different sizes and increase the size if you need to.
Hi and thank you so much for this tutorial! Very clear explanations, technical terminology understandable b/c incorporated into demonstration. OUTSTANDING!
I'm very glad you found it helpful and thank you for the kind words! Hit the subscribe button for more videos like this
Very informative! I needed some of the more in-depth information that you provided. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! Subscribe for more tips
Excellent content. Thanks. Exactly on topic, covering all types and load ratings.
So thorough and informative-just what I needed. Thanks!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching, hit subscribe for more tips like these
from a plaster guy, use masonry bit's to drill into plaster...
Excellent knowledge information! My first time with a ~100 year old house, so this was very helpful.
Glad it was helpful! Subscribe for more info like this
This is soooo helpful thank you for the time materials and explaining u put into this
Thank you for this fantastic video! I have just one question.
He said that you can hang up to 90lbs from the flip toggle which goes into the lathe, but if you are hanging a TV or mirror then to use the stud. But the TV or mirror weighs significantly less than 90 lbs! I keep seeing this and being confused by it. Are those things REALLY going to hold up to 90lbs, in the lathe? And if so why can't I just use that to hang my mirror?
If anyone can help I'd be very appreciative!
It's just a preference to always anchor mirrors and TVs in studs when I can because if they fall, it is disastrous compared to a shelf of books or other heavy item that will survive the fall from the wall. Also, the anchor is ONLY as strong as the wall, so while the anchor may have been tested at 90 pounds, you can't be sure your wall is as good as their test wall. I would not hang anything close to that weight with toggle bolts on plaster and lath walls.
@@toolsandrepairs Ok, that makes perfect sense. Thank you so much for your kind reply!
Well after 26 years of destroying my room's walls now I can finally hang thing properly lol
good information. thanks for this. quick and informative!
Outstanding! Thank you!
Thank you for a very clear and informative options for hanging things on plaster walls. Just purchased a 1959 home, totally unknowing of plaster walls or the obstacles they pose for doing basically anything. Any knowledge on how to cut into plaster without an angle grinder? I would like to install a between stud medicine cabinet in my bathroom. Would a multi-tool with a tile or masonry blade work?
Cutting through plaster itself isn't too hard and a multitool or grinder would work, though the plaster may chip or crack if you're not careful. The horizontal wood lathes also need to be cut and it might take a while with those tools. There's almost certainly wires in that space too because of the vanity light. Surface mounted would be so much easier.
@@toolsandrepairs The medicine cabinet will actually be on a side wall due to a large tile framed vanity wall mirror. Thanks for your response and heads up on lathes and cracking....ugh!
Guess I’m going back to Home Depot to get a refund on my stud finder! Wish I saw this video yesterday! 😅
What do you do if you have plaster over brick and mortar? I think the wood lathe is only behind my interior walls. My exterior walls are all brick and I get scared drilling into them. I used some heavy wall anchors to install my guitar wall mounts and they seem to have worked pretty well, but I also worry about knowing how to check for electrical wires / pipes / etc before drilling and I'm not sure how to know what's safe to drill into and what's not just from looking at the wall...
For plaster over brick, I drill with a masonry bit through the plaster and and into the brick if it's something heavy (you'll notice red dust), or otherwise the mortar is fine for light objects. You can use plastic expansion anchors as long as they are long enough to reach the brick; otherwise you can use concrete screws like Tapcons. As far as electrical wires in the hollow walls, the wires should be going through the middle of the stud, so never use long screws into studs. Drilling through the hollow parts, don't drill past where you need to avoid any wires. Avoid drilling above outlets or near switches to be safer.
@@toolsandrepairs thanks!
@@toolsandrepairs one more question if you don't mind... So my buddy helped me out when I installed the guitar mounts a couple months ago. On the downstairs "party wall" (brick wall dividing my townhome and my neighbors') we used the bit that came with the anchor set. Two of the pilot holes drilled fairly easily but the third one hit a lot of resistance. My buddy is more diy savvy than me and had to put some elbow grease into it until it finally went in. Do you have any idea what might cause resistance like that? Would that be a sign that we hit the mortar between the bricks? I was wired about hitting pipes but he told me they wouldn't be running behind the brick walls. The other question I had is we then drilled upstairs in one spot (again on the party wall) and rather than red dust we got weird looking black / grey spot. Do you think that may have been cinder block? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to learn and improve my DIY skills but drilling into these plaster walls never ceases to make me nervous. When I first moved in I didn't know to avoid drilling above wall switches and went in right above one - luckily I think the wires run below the switch so I narrowly avoided hitting them. 😂
@@johnulcer In general, if you have way more resistance like if it's a metal plate, you have to wonder if that plate was there to prevent drilling or otherwise something important that shouldn't be drilled through and just find another spot. Between houses, I see the black dust a lot, and I think that's just the concrete wall. The wires from outlets or switches can run up or down or through the stud at some point, so it's just a general rule. I've drilled near them, just don't drill very deep and don't punch through the hollow parts- just drill the hole carefully.
@@toolsandrepairs thanks. Yeah that's what I was worried about too when we hit the resistance but he kept pushing. It was a couple months ago and I haven't had any issues so fingers crossed it was a fluke but I definitely was worried at first that we hit a pipe or something... He thought the drill bit just wasn't strong enough and that it may have been a tough edge of a brick.
Great info! Thanks so much ❤
No problem, thanks for watching
How much weight can you put on an expansion anchor? And how long a screw would you recommend for the expansion anchor?
The weight limits on the package of anchors are pretty accurate in my experience. You could go higher to be safe if you want, so if your item is 25 lbs get a 50 lb anchor and use the screw it comes with.
@@toolsandrepairs Amazing, thanks! Could I hang a heavy (maybe 40 lb) mirror on a flip toggle, as long as it's rated high enough? And could I screw the flip toggle through a mirror hanger, like you showed later in the video?
@@rachelluban2368 You can if there is a wire holding the mirror, then you can install it like that. I like to use two anchors level with each other for large and heavy items to spread the weight on two anchors. But I would first try to find a stud because that would be strongest.
Whats with the tape before drilling?
It helps to hold the surrounding plaster together so there's less chance of cracking and flaking
Thanks so much!
You're welcome!
Thank you sir
Thanks…
I just used one of those plastic screw in anchors on my wall and now realize that it was a mistake. Can I remove them and go with the toggle bolt in their place still?
Yeah, just remove the anchor by turning it counterclockwise, then drill a 3/8" hole through where the screw-in anchor was and put a toggle through the hole. If you damaged the wall enough, you may need to patch it and install the toggle on an undamaged part of the wall.
What kind of tape is that that you use?
Painters tape so it easily comes off
Thanks! I thought so but wasn’t sure if it was something else.
Advice on putting a railing on a plaster wall.
Make sure to find the studs with a magnet stud finder and use at least 2 1/2" screws. The railing can be put on with toggles and other products but it will only ever be as strong as the wall so I would only put them in studs.
@@toolsandrepairs We found this video looking for credible info about installing a picture rail on an old, very thick and hard plaster wall. No one else has addressed this situation that we could find, and your video is so informative and concise! And our exact problem is even given in this reply. Thank you
Do you recommend any particular style for my buttonboard plaster walls?
For any plaster wall, including button board, you can use regular old toggle bolts. Just drill a 3/8" hole for the small 1/8" toggles (though the hole will be tight), put the toggle through, and it will hold against the back of the wall once it springs open and you tighten the bolt. For heavy items, try to find a stud to fasten to.
Is that what is behind all plaster?
Plaster may cover masonry as well like brick or concrete. Knock on the wall and if it sounds solid, it is probably covering masonry. If it sounds hollow, it's likely a hollow wall with panels or wood lath.
Can you hand a TV on a picture rail?
It's possible, but for the rail to support the weight of the TV it would have to be mounted into studs behind the wall. I wouldn't trust the rail if you didn't install it yourself and made sure it is in the studs. If you're installing a new rail, I'd say you may as well find the studs and mount the bracket.
@@toolsandrepairs Thank you, I found the brackets sold for mounting a TV - similar to French pleat so will be using that to ensure TV is truly secure and I am fixing the picture rail myself but will use a heavy mirror wrapped in sheet (it's old junk so won't mind it the worst happens). It's more than twice the weight of the TV, so, a test before I even try to hang the TV. Keep up the good work.
@@stephensonal4082 Thank you! As long as the rail is secure to the studs you should be fine
Will that paddle bit go through plaster without hurting the bit? Shouldn't you use a masonry bit?
It might dull it a small amount but it goes through fine, and I only have a few holes to drill so not too worried. Just use tape to help avoid the plaster cracking. You can always use a 1/2" masonry bit (for snap toggles) or 9/16" bit (for regular toggle bolts). It's not ideal for wood, so if you're doing a lot of these you can switch back to the paddle bit for drilling through the lath.
I hat toggle bolts andnthink unless its in ceiling or very large ver very heavy onkect then thesea re just way too big holea dn destructive ...and sooo agrivating . Not good for renters either
I agree they should make a 1/4" toggle bolt. So far the one that makes a 3/8" hole is the smallest readily available toggle bolt, otherwise you're better off with a 1/4" plastic expansion anchor if holes are an issue. I saw a 1/4" anchor with a toggle but it's not readily available for cheap.
I wish he had demonstrated some of them. I understand they each cost money, but this video could have payed for the “dollar or two” he claims they cost.
This is a snap toggle bolt, they work similarly to other snap/flip toggle bolts and can work in plaster walls: ua-cam.com/video/iYsDrY7L3G8/v-deo.html