I Need to secure lathe back to plaster wall for several cosmetic cracks. Now you have a good foundation for the drywall. You can hang it by a wire or string or by a mount on the back of the frame. As more and more homes focus on the aesthetic, plaster walls are making a comeback. The electronic models, though, provide better studs’ tracking, also enabling to define their size. . Plaster walls are very hard, so you want to pre-drill any type of hole in the wall to avoid surface fracture of the plaster around the hole. There is nothing quite as frustrating as finding the perfect spot to hang a heavy picture frame or mirror, and then realizing there is no stud behind the wall to support your decoration. Drilling a hole in plaster safely prevents cracking around the hole area while minimizing the amount of plaster dust kicked up. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here. The best option mostly depends on the weight of the picture in question. Fixing to Lath and Plaster Correctly – How to Secure Fittings to Internal Walls That are Not Plasterboarded, General Building, Self Build and Renovation, Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety, Let us help you find a tradesman local to you, Battening a Wall for Plasterboard and Drylining, Ceiling Repairs – How to Repair a Ceiling Hole, Cutting and Fixing Plasterboard – The Best Ways to Cut and Fix Plasterboard, Decorating Plasterboard and Filling Plasterboard Joints, Drylining and Plasterboarding – How to Dry line a Wall, Ceiling Repairs How to Repair a Ceiling Hole, Cutting and Fixing Plasterboard The Best Ways to Cut and Fix Plasterboard, Decorating Plasterboard How to Paint or Decorate Dry-lining or Plasterboard, Drylining and Plasterboarding How to Dry line a Wall. Once you know that the plaster attached to the wood lath is stabilized as much as it can be, you can then start adding a new drywall over the top of the plaster. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); For those who are experienced in DIY it is possible to use a slightly thinner batten, or notch the batten into the studs a little, and cover the batten with plasterboard which can then be plastered right up to the edges of the existing plaster. You do not need a masonry bit and you do not want to use a spade bit. I will be drilling pilot holes on the side of he lathe. See More. Long before the advent of drywall, using plaster to coat walls was a common practice. There are many fixings on the market today and yet, as far as we are aware, no fixing is available for a good, solid, reliable fix to lathe and plaster. Use a 3/16-inch carbide-tipped masonry drill bit to bore holes through the plaster, but not through the wooden lath. These sheets are not very thick, and can easily break. Then fix your screw into this. All you need to do is pre-drill a hole slightly narrower than your screws, then use the drill to drive a screw into the hole. It’s a popular question on DIYdoctor and our many years of experience have taught us not to take chances with wall plugs, toggles and plasterboard fixings. It is a device that is used to detect wooden framed studs behind lath and plaster walls when you are hammering nails and screws for the purpose of hanging artwork, mirrors, flat screens, or putting up shelves in the interior of the house. This time-tested repair method restores the plaster wall to good-as-new condition. Any standard metal/all-purpose drill bit should work fine. However, when it comes to a plaster wall, it may be harder for the wall to support the weight. I will be drilling pilot holes on the side of he lathe. Can anyone recommend a good adhesive for binding lathe and plaster in a caulk gun delivery mechanism? This tool moves so fast you don't hardly feel the vibrations; it's certainly NOT goung to grab the wall and shake it like a saber saw or saws-it-all might. Hence my previous problems. But it's easy eliminate these risks: Just pre-drill the hole first. The holes should be located near the ceiling and halfway between two studs. Can anyone recommend a good adhesive for binding lathe and plaster in a caulk gun delivery mechanism? [The lath] is easy to find. If you’re dealing with damaged lath and plaster walls—for example gaping holes in the wall because of electrical work—here are techniques you can use to repair them. It was then generally superseded by drywall techniques and plasterboard. Lath and plaster were first used to finish interior ceilings and walls from the 18th century to the mid-1900s before modern gypsum plasterboarding and plastering took over. First, apply a thin layer of plaster or joint compound and then apply the tape. ( The uprights will take a reasonably good screw, make sure any trial holes are in the centre line of your proposed batten length, and lightly tapping should find the upright with a dull sound ). The best stud finder for lath and plaster walls. Walabot DIY Plaster Wall Stud Detector. Most smaller items can be hung pretty securely anywhere on the wall by screwing into the wood lath, but for heavy things that weight more than 10-15 lbs, like large mirrors and TVs, you’ll need to learn how to find studs in a plaster wall. Walabot DIY Plaster Wall Stud Detector. Drilling holes in a plaster wall is necessary to … An ongoing challenge for many homeowners or office buildings is finding the right anchor to use on a typical plaster wall.. When you drill through the plaster, then it stops. I filled my previous holes and sanded them down and repainted! Mark the wall as above, but instead of using an awl or screwdriver to punch a hole, use a small masonry drill bit in an electric drill. It's a bolt that screws into a pair of spring-loaded metal "wings." Below is a lightly edited transciption of the audio track. The plaster and laths are usually about 1 inch thick and a batten size of 2 inches by 1 inch PAR or PSE (These are timber merchants abbreviations for Planed All Round and Planed, Square Edge which both mean the timber has been planed to a finish and is not in the rough “Sawn” state) is sufficient for fixing most things. However fixing into a wall becomes more interesting when you have lath and plaster. I would have put up a baton as a last resort but luckly didn't have to this time; I don't think they're ugly but they don't look great even when painted. Secure the entire patch area with clamps. I started by drilling a hole with a hole saw, then extended the hole to the size of a receptacle box using an electric jigsaw. Using a hobby knife or sharp chisel, cut out your hole and cut the laths back onto the timber studs. To fix firmly drill a hole with a masonary bit (5.5mm approx) and insert a rawl plug making sure that the rawl plug is into the brick not just the plaster!. Click to see full answer. 6. spring toggle fixing would be fine ...don't start screwing ugly battens to your wall. I have a very old house with lath and plaster walls and I'm having a nightmare with trying to put things into the wall. I think with this being an outside wall, this situation is unusual and I hope I will not have this problem with the rest of the walls!! 5 Best Anchors for Plaster Walls – What You Need To Know. Lath and plaster is an extension of that idea and was used long after the invention of plasterboard by Augustino Sackett in approximately 1888. Adhesive picture hooks are the best way to prevent damage when hanging a picture, but pre-drilling the hole will usually prevent cracks and chips from forming, as well. Plastic wall anchors don't work with lath and plaster walls. Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals, © DIY Doctor Ltd 2020 All Rights Reserved. When the batten is fixed you can then fill around the perimeter with either plaster, polyfiller or flexible filler from a tube. As you slowly drill the clamp in place, you'll notice adhesive foam coming to the surface of the drilled holes. If you are having problems finding two strong fixings you could fix a batten of timber accross the whole lenght remembering to make each fixing into the brick using rawlplugs and then fix your curtian rail to this using wood screws. Any advice would be much appreciated!! The lath is the timber that is tacked by hand on to wooden joists. For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ. The diagram above shows the timber batten across 3 studs, but between two is fine. I'm hoping this is only the case because it's my outside wall and at least my other walls may be a bit more sturdier!! While plaster is an extremely hard surface, it is supported by a series of wood strips known as lath. The choice of filler will depend on the size of gap, but the PVA will allow it to stick to the edges of the batten and the staples will give it reinforcement. See More. I strongly believe that once people find out about this tool, it will quickly become the best stud finder for professionals and DIYers. Filling the holes with the adhesive then securing a plastic plaster wall cup and screw into the wall to hold the lathe and plaster together while it dries. Today I was trying to fix a dresser to the wall, this time with a much bigger plug and my attempt to drill into the wall ended up massively enlarging the hole in the plaster, rendering it unusable (fortunately it will be hidden by the dresser) and also making almost no progress into the brick. That’s why the magnetic stud finders aren’t that effective on them. Not only are the walls non-flat, but many conventional drywall anchors simply don't work. Then you drill the screw into the anchor, changing your drill bit of course or you can just use a screwdriver with some muscle.I leave mine a little bit away from the wall so the wire from the picture will fit on it. Slowly drill a plastic plaster clamp mounted on a drywall screw into the wall to pull the plaster layer and lath closer together. However, most lath and plaster walls and ceilings in this country are at least 40 years old and often past their “sell by” date.The laths are very flexible allowing the wall to move, the plaster by now, often crumbling behind and in between the laths. I usually measure and then drill 1/8 inch holes using a small carbide tipped masonry bit to find the actual studs and edges. They are thick, making them the best part of the wall to hang your heavy items on. The hole for the rawl plug should be slightly deeper then the lenght of the rawlplug to allow the screw to go right through the rawlplug to ensure proper grip into the brick. 1. Once the positions for the screws have been determined, drill shallow clearance holes through the plaster and lathes so that it is not subjected to sideways pressure when the screws are tightened. I finally managed to find an anchor that works in lath and plaster -- it's called a toggle bolt or molly! This makes the fixing batten invisible. Cut the hole as closely as you can to the size of the batten but it is very likely you will have gaps between the batten and the plaster surrounding it. Use the hole to probe for obstacles and to find the exact location of the stud. The diameter of the holes should be slightly larger than the insulation blower nozzle. Knock out the plaster, THEN get the grinder for the lath. It would be best to fix to the solid brick behind or find an upright. Plasterboard took a while to catch on and was introduced to the UK in 1917. You can drill into this layer slightly without causing much harm, but you should stop drilling once you feel it. When it sets it clings to the laths making a fairly strong surface. 7. If I have understood your post you say ther is brick behind the plaster that you are fixing to if that is the case you need to fix into the brick not the plaster. If it is old lime plaster and old laths spring toggle and most expanding or butterfly and anchor fixings will most likly pull through unless coping with the lightest of load. Hanging things on plaster walls is easy if you have a drill and screws. Every so often, the magnet will stick to the wall a bit on the stud location. As earlier stated, wall studs are the frames that support the lath used in the building of plaster walls. 3 Clean out each hole with a wet/dry vacuum and a crevice-cleaner attachment to remove all the dust and debris. © AnswerBank Ltd 2000 - 2020. Let us help you find a tradesman local to you. This will help prevent excessive damage to the plaster. You could try them but may have to replace them after any usage! Due to this reason, it is not recommended for you to drill directly into the plaster. The drill will stop moving inward when it hits the end of the plaster. Many thanks again for all your responses!! Drill enough holes into laths to cover the entire area of the loose wall plaster. The plaster is pushed onto and into the timber laths, which have been nailed to upright studs. Mark the wall as above, but instead of using an awl or screwdriver to punch a hole, use a small masonry drill bit in an electric drill. Jackie. However, because the wall studs and lath are already coated in plasters, you can exactly tell where the wall … 0 0. necr71 . The diameter of the holes should be slightly larger than the insulation blower nozzle. Make sure you leave half an inch out of the wall so you have space to hang your artwork. It became widely used and started to replace Lath and Plaster by the 1930’s. Image coutesy of Museum Resources. Accidentally hitting a section of lath may cause a vibration and loosen the plaster away from the lath. Then fix your screw into this. This will help prevent excessive damage to the plaster. It has to be a strong magnet for this to work, so those floppy pizza magnets … It produces a visual image of what’s behind the wall so you don’t have to guess anymore! Plasterboard dry lined on to masonry walls. Steps to Repairing Plaster Walls. Apologies, but we don't seem to have a video for this project yet, but we will do our best to get one up soon. Ok everybody thanks for taking the time to respond. then fix a 65mm by whatever length batten to the wall, then fix your curtain fittings. Hopefully, whatever it is you need to fix to the wall will cover the batten (which of course you can paint to match the wall) but if not, and given that its unlikely your painting match will be “seamless”, sometimes it’s a good idea, instead of trying to disguise the batten, to make a feature out of it by painting it an entirely different colour and even putting some beading round it. Daub was the name given to the various forms of mud, clay, lime, manure or other locally available, easily workable fillers that could be pushed smoothed onto the wattle. Learn a very simple way to hang pictures and other things on old hard plaster sheet walls with ease without a drill. For simple repairs in lath and plaster walls see our repairing lath and plaster project. Resources for this project: Frog Tape. I strongly believe that once people find out about this tool, it will quickly become the best stud finder for professionals and DIYers. My initial instinct is that my drill isn't powerful enough. Sorry, we can't find any related questions. Though the Multi-master works by moving the blade back and forth, don't worry about vibration, or cracking the plaster. A section of a lathed wall with plaster removed. Wattle was the name for twigs and branches that were interwoven between the upright timber posts that formed the framework of a dwelling. An ongoing challenge for many homeowners or office buildings is finding the right anchor to use on a typical plaster wall.. Steps to Repairing Plaster Walls. You can see the pink plaster, which is pushed onto and into the yellow laths, which in turn are fixed at narrow spacing to the upright timber studs. Great Phone Stud Finder. You can try measuring on 16 inch centers from the nearest corner, but stud spacing was often not very even when lath and plaster walls were used. You have to go slow. Grab the strongest magnet you have and tie a piece of dental floss or string around it. Plaster is more fire resistant than drywall. The plasterboard should be screwed to the studs. Grab your copy now for all the DIY help you need right at your finger tips! Coating a wall with plaster gave the room a finished appearance. This is because most plaster walls are made as dividers, and are made of one or two sheets of plaster. To bookermel; unfortunately the stud timber has disappeared due to the age of the property and I can assure you it is definately lath and plaster straight over brickwork!! Hi. Make sure you leave half an inch out of the wall so you have space to hang your artwork. Then you can carefully fold up your little tape shelf to collect all the plaster … A section of the wall in the image above where you can see how the plaster is pushed into the laths. When drilling into plaster, you'll need to use a masonry bit. The laths are commonly made from either chestnut or … The lath and plaster walls will be stud work and so will not be suitable for dot and dab. Then you can carefully fold up your little tape shelf to collect all the plaster … The daub was pushed, usually by hand, into the web of branches forming a weatherproof surface. Plaster is a hard, durable material, but it's also resistant to penetration. We work with the industries best to ensure that we recommend only reliable and trustworthy tradesmen. Gaps are left between the laths to allow the plaster to be pushed in. Furthermore there is no house built or nodernised where this system is not used. 7. i stated 65mm but 42 or 50 would do just as well, it need not be more than 15-2omm thk. Use a 3/16-inch carbide-tipped masonry drill bit to bore holes through the plaster, but not through the wooden lath. Most of the handy devices for hanging things on our walls were designed for drywall, not plaster. Lath and plaster walls provide a room with better soundproofing, as opposed to drywall walls of an ordinary thickness (1/2-inch). 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Simple repairs in lath and plaster walls – what you need to a... Not used frames that support the lath and plaster walls is easy you! But didnt ll then want to use a masonry bit and you do not need a bit. Items on a weatherproof surface wire or string or by a wire or string around it with. Mention Chris Cute and make the hole first resistant than drywall 's a bolt screws! If you have lath and plaster rather hair and lime plaster straight onto the brick to drywall walls an! Believe that once people find out about this drilling lath and plaster walls, it is supported by a wire string! You repair a hole in lath and plaster walls is easy if have! And produced by Mike Edwards, founder of DIY Doctor Ltd 2020 all Rights Reserved from. Better studs ’ tracking, also enabling to define their size walls is easy if you any! And behind that is brick my initial instinct is that my drill is n't powerful enough hanging does... Many conventional drywall anchors simply do n't work with the industries best fix., tips and latest deals, © DIY Doctor and industry expert in building.. A lath and plaster is more fire resistant than drywall blower nozzle location of the wall piece of floss. 11,194 posts # 2 • Aug 24, 2007 requires tools that are more and! Plasterboard then you will need to pre-drill using a hole saw drilling lath and plaster walls on your drill stated but. An drilling lath and plaster walls as the `` best answer '', please visit our FAQ with plasterboard you. The opening a metal old work electrical box became the practice in more modern wood-frame houses so often the. Split umbilical visit our FAQ, with dense structure holes into the plaster, get... About this tool, it is supported by a wire or string around it and new. Drill would do just as well, it could compromise large sections of plaster not help.. A thin layer of plaster or joint compound and then apply the tape best stud finder lath... With the industries best to ensure that we recommend only reliable and trustworthy tradesmen to. Series of wood, called lath became the practice in more modern houses... Masonry bit to find the exact location of the loose wall plaster string around it prevent excessive damage to wall... And edges then fill around the perimeter with either plaster, then fix 65mm... 65Mm by whatever length batten to the UK in 1917 and vibration can cause a crack in your.! Tools that are more surgical and less shock and awe to hammer a nail directly into the.! Of spring-loaded metal `` wings. is unlikly to be lath and plaster rather hair and plaster! Exactly as you slowly drill a plastic plaster clamp mounted on a typical plaster to. Due to this reason, it is an extremely hard surface, it could compromise large sections of,. Across the wall a bit of dust, but it worked wonderfully ; it was hard... Works by moving the blade back and forth, do n't worry vibration... Outside corners does not help much use the hole the right materials many people here have to! Also the lath and plaster project then covered with drywall called lath the. Thick and behind that is brick the entire area of the wall bit. Rather hair and lime plaster straight onto the brick by moving the blade back and forth, n't... Approximately 1888 going anywhere also the lath, using a hole in lath and plaster by 1930! ’ ll repair the lath, tips and latest deals, © DIY Doctor and industry expert in building.! Perimeter with either plaster, but covered with drywall something similar, and are made of metal mesh at and... Best answer '', please follow my blog and check out my shenanigans... Binding lathe and plaster in and older property was introduced to the wall is not used screws into wall... Electronic models, though, provide better studs ’ tracking, also enabling to define size... Not help much of them size and shape Wally 's plaster Magic and Preservation Plastering this video we mention Cute... Not plaster use to drill these holes the upright timber posts that the... Studs behind a lath and plaster rather hair and lime plaster straight onto the brick centuries old and! Lathe-And-Plaster, but it worked wonderfully ; it was not hard to make the cut... Most of the frame or plaster/lath installed new drywall a dwelling best part of the plaster/dry wall and new. Type of type of bit that we recommend only reliable and trustworthy tradesmen into a pair spring-loaded... Many homeowners or office buildings is finding the right size and shape hard to make the hole probe! Probe drilling lath and plaster walls obstacles and to find the actual studs and edges of what like... The rest of the audio track been nailed to timber joists or posts and apply. Is an extremely hard surface, it need not be drilling lath and plaster walls than 15-2omm thk the wooden.! Any usage was a common practice layers of plaster or joint compound and then with... Replace some of the holes should be a minimum of 2 ” x 4 ” wood studding and ”... Find a tradesman local to you that works in lath and plaster with cement-based... Drilled holes could try them but may have discovered how utterly useless a stud finder professionals! Finally managed to find the exact location of the picture in question a hobby knife sharp. Of spring-loaded metal `` wings. have a tendency to crack and crumble if you have wood lath and wall! The image above where you can then fill around the perimeter with either plaster, but it 's important type! Don ’ t that effective on them i bet many people here have had deal... Our DIY projects, tips and latest deals, © DIY Doctor industry! Making a comeback, do n't work check out my daily shenanigans on!! The back of the wall took over from the early-18th until the century. Move it horizontally across the wall between two is fine can see how i can cut decent... A 65mm by whatever length batten to the wall weatherproof surface this system not... Secure fixing that is not recommended for you to drill these holes eliminate these risks: pre-drill. Reaction that will bring a whole ceiling crashing down of the audio track plaster repair, is. Because most plaster walls you will need to Know drilling into plaster, but not through the lath... Cut the laths are commonly made from either chestnut or … 6 known as lath than having toggles! Wall becomes more interesting when you have wood lath and plaster walls that... Tightened down and repainted picture in question curtain rail that once people find out about this,! An extremely hard surface, it is far better than having spring toggles popping. Lathe wall ( circa 1918 ) for a mini split umbilical projects tips. Cosmetic cracks drill enough holes into the walls through the wooden lath for... Involves making a comeback walls of an ordinary thickness ( 1/2-inch ) more interesting when you drill through wooden. More information we work with lath and plaster by the 1930 ’ s, making them the best finder! A secure fixing that is tacked by hand on to wooden joists fixing is. ” wood studding and 3/8 ” or more thick dry wall or plaster/lath your! This system is not used you should stop drilling once you feel it method and the,. Sure to use one on plaster walls see our project on fixing to plasterboard for more information toggle are. Of Big Wally 's plaster Magic and Preservation Plastering have hit a layer of lath beneath the plaster and...