If you live in an older house, state 50 or 60 years or older, there is a great probability that you have plaster on your walls. Plaster was fairly easily available, was practical, and was capable of producing very smooth walls and elaborate embellishments.
Plaster is still commonly readily available, though rarely used. Unlike plaster, joint substance (or drywall substance) is simple to work with. Joint substance works by simply letting the water evaporate out, leaving the difficult, white things on the wall.
Plaster, on the other hand, establishes rapidly, solidifies like cement, is very challenging to deal with when it begins to set up, is hard to clean up, and should be blended as required and in amounts that can be dealt with rapidly. Plaster as it establishes, is actually a chain reaction between the solid plaster and the water.
Plaster is by far the remarkable item. A plaster wall is rock hard, has a strong sound, and feel, is not easy damaged or scratched, and can withstand some abuse.
A simple job such as hanging a hook for an image frame can trigger large chunks of plaster to break free from the wall and come crashing down. Aim to drive a drywall screw into plaster can be a workout in aggravation as pieces break out of the wall and the screw getting dulled by the plaster, Drill bits and saw blades dull instantly on contact.
Due to the fact that of these obstacles with plaster, I have actually compiled a couple of pointers for dealing with it. Be mindful, that these work for me in a lot of situations, however plaster can be different and behave in a different way in different areas, so work extremely carefully.
1. When hanging an image lath wall frame from a hook with a nail in it, first tape a big piece of masking tape over the area where you will drive the nail. This will assist prevent chip-out. As soon as the nail is in location, eliminate the tape.
Another method to insert a wall hanger for an image frame is to drill a small pilot hole for the nail. Just deep adequate to penetrate the overcoat of plaster.
3. To drive a screw through plaster, constantly drill a pilot hole!
Even though it might seem that the plaster is holding it in place, you run the risk of tearing out a big chunk of plaster ought to you discover a weak area. Always screw through the plaster and into the studs.
5. When screwing through plaster and into the wall studs, ensure you enjoy here the wall studs and not the wood lath that holds the plaster on the wall! Taking down lath is one of the worst things you can do, as it will pull down large pieces of plaster with it!
Basic stud finders do not work on plaster walls. Typical stud finders are created for half-inch drywall walls and can distinguish plaster thickness very well.
7. Use the tapping method to find studs. Plaster has great harmonics and by tapping or rapping it with your knuckles, you can normally hear the hollows in between the studs relatively quickly.
8. Like anything else in an old home, be extra cautious! There weren't developing codes when a number of these houses were developed so there is no warranty that you wall studs are equally spaced, that there aren't old pipelines in the walls, or that deserted and old-fashioned pipes and electrical lines exist in the walls.
Remember, work slowly and smartly! You will still run into surprises, however if you work gradually and deliberately, hopefully, they won't destroy your day!
If you live in an older home, say 50 or 60 years or older, there is a good likelihood that you have plaster on your walls. Even though it might appear that the plaster is holding it in place, you risk tearing out a big piece of plaster ought to you find a weak area. When screwing through plaster and into the wall studs, make sure you are into the wall studs and not the wood lath that holds the plaster on the wall! Basic stud finders don't work on plaster walls. Typical stud finders are created for half-inch drywall walls and can differentiate plaster thickness really well.