How to hang paintings on plaster walls

Q: We would like to hang pictures, some of them rather large, on a plaster wall. Can you tell us the best way to do this? We are afraid of cracking the plaster.

A: With proper technique, hanging pictures on a lath-and-plaster wall isn't a problem.

If the pictures are small and equipped with a wire on the back, use a small picture hook and nail.

To install small picture hooks all you need is a hammer. Gently tap the nail provided with the hook diagonally into the wall using the hook itself as a guide. With small hooks there is little danger of cracking the plaster.

Larger hooks may require pre-drilling a hole. A cordless drill equipped with a drill bit slightly smaller than the nail is the tool for the job. Drilling a pilot hole removes some of the plaster and greatly reduces the possibility of cracking the plaster.

Make sure to drill the hole on an angle that approximates the angle of the path of the nail.

For small- and medium-sized pictures you don't have to be concerned about hitting a stud. The plaster has enough structural integrity to hold their weight.

Be cautious about trying to drive a nail into a piece of wood lath. If a nail strikes a piece of lath under the plaster there is a good chance it will vibrate, break the plaster keys and loosen the plaster from the lath. A "key" is the term used to describe wet plaster that oozed between the lath when applied and dried partially encasing the lath. These "keys" form a bond between the dried plaster wall and the lath.

You'll be able to tell if the nail strikes a piece of lath -- it will bounce back when you tap it with your hammer. If that happens, drill a pilot hole no matter which size nail you use.

For hanging large, heavy pictures we recommend using a wood screw as hanger if the screw can be installed in a stud or a wall anchor if it does not hit a stud.

Wall anchors come in a variety of sizes. They are a two-part fastener, a machine bolt that fits into a collapsible cylinder. Whether installing a wood screw or wall anchor, pre-drill a hole in the wall to inhibit cracking.

For a wall anchor insert the cylinder into the pre-drilled hole, tighten the bolt so that the cylinder compresses and back the bolt part way out of the cylinder and hang the picture. Use two fasteners for very large or heave pictures.

The bottom line is if you have any doubt, pre-drill the holes to avoid cracked plaster.

A couple of weeks ago we wrote about using plaster of Paris when installing a commode. Apparently our answer created a little confusion with at least one of our readers. She writes:

"I just read your column about using plaster of Paris to mount the toilet. I assume that the plaster of Paris is in place of the wax collar.

"Also, you said not to caulk behind the toilet -- leave a 4-inch gap. Is that for condensation to have a way to dry? Wanting it to be very neat, I caulked all around. What bad will happen?"

Neatness is generally good, but you can have too much of a good thing.

Plaster of Paris is not used in place of the wax ring. Rather it is an alternative to caulking under the perimeter of the toilet. Plaster and, to some degree, caulk are used to stabilize the toilet and prevent it from moving when somebody sits on it.

The wax ring seals the connection between the toilet and the closet bend when the toilet is bolted to the closet flange. Plaster of Paris is particularly helpful on old installations with uneven floors because it is not flexible.

Nothing bad will necessarily happen if you caulk completely around the perimeter of the toilet. However, if the seal between the wax ring and closet flange should fail, the gap at the rear of the toilet allows for water to escape so you can discover the leak. No leak, no problem. But if the perimeter is sealed by caulk the water has no place to go and could prevent you from seeing water that might cause significant damage.

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Hanging a picture should be easy, right? You find the right spot, hammer in your nail and sit back and admire your art. But when you have plaster walls, it’s not that simple. If you’ve been wondering how to hang pictures on plaster walls without causing all sorts of damage, you’re not alone.

First of all, it’s useful to know a bit about plaster and how it differs from other materials. AS Hanging Display Systems explains that until the 1940s, plaster was the most popular choice for interior walls. Lath and plaster walls consist of layers of wood, called lath, placed close together on wall studs. Builders apply several layers of plaster to the lath to form a thick, strong wall with a smooth finish, according to Bob Vila.com.

Although many homes have used drywall panels instead of plaster in more recent years, plaster is still sometimes used for interior walls due to its greater durability, fire resistance and insulating properties.

How To Hang Pictures On Plaster Walls

Pictures or other items weighing 30 pounds or less shouldn’t need more than plaster hooks, which are angled for even weight distribution. The only other tools you need are measuring tape and a hammer, and you’re good to go. But you might want to give plaster nails a swerve — AS Hanging Display Systems warns that these tend to cause cracking. They recommend using a screw instead, which won’t break the plaster.

If your picture weighs less than 5 pounds and your wall surface is smooth, you could probably get away with adhesive hooks. The advantage of this is that they’re so easy to use. First, make sure you have a clean wall surface (use soapy water or rubbing alcohol and leave it to completely dry). Take the covering strip off the back of the hook, then stick it to your wall in the desired place.

Another option is double-sided tape, but only if your picture is super light (think 2 pounds or less). Just ensure your walls are completely clean and dry. Apply the tape to the frame of your picture first, then press it firmly against the wall to secure it in place.

Because plaster can’t hold much weight, anything heavier than a lightweight picture is likely to put too much pressure on your wall. So things like heavy pictures, a flat-screen TV and floating shelves require a different approach.

The first — and crucial — step is to find the stud in your wall, because this is the strongest part and can therefore bear the most weight. A Butterfly House recommends buying a stud finder for this purpose. You’ll also need 2-inch screws, plastic anchors, a drill and your drill bits.

If you use painter’s tape for marking and drilling, you’ll reduce the risk of your plaster walls crumbling and cracking when you start. Then it’s simply a case of drilling a small hole into the wall and hoping you’ll hit wood! If you do, you’ll need to put more pressure on the drill. (If you don’t hit wood, you’re in a space between the pieces of lath and need to change position.) When your screw is driven into a stud, you can go ahead and hang your item.

Using a Picture Hanging System on Plaster Walls

Another good option for hanging pictures on plaster walls is a picture hanging system, such as an all-in-one click rail cable hanging kit. As AS Hanging Display Systems explains, you simply install a rail (like this one on Amazon for $50, or this click rail kit for $69) along the wall, and hang your pictures from cables attached to the rail. This is a really flexible method, because you the hanging wires can be attached to the rail wherever you like. And because the weight is distributed across the whole rail, it can hold more weight than a single hook.

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