How Do You Find Studs In Lath And Plaster Walls

Finding studs in lath and plaster walls is essential for safely hanging pictures and other items. Lath and plaster walls are made of wood laths that are covered with layers of plaster. The studs, which are the vertical support beams, are hidden behind the plaster. There are a few different ways to find studs in lath and plaster walls, including using a stud finder, tapping on the wall with a hammer, or using a strong magnet.

Stud finders are the most common way to find studs in lath and plaster walls. Stud finders work by detecting the difference in density between the studs and the surrounding plaster. When you move the stud finder over the wall, it will beep when it detects a stud. However, stud finders can be inaccurate, especially if the wall is very thick or if there is a lot of metal in the wall.

Another way to find studs in lath and plaster walls is to tap on the wall with a hammer. When you tap on a stud, it will sound solid, while tapping on the plaster will sound hollow. This method is not as accurate as using a stud finder, but it can be helpful if you don't have a stud finder.

Finally, you can also use a strong magnet to find studs in lath and plaster walls. Magnets will be attracted to the nails that are used to secure the laths to the studs. To use this method, simply move the magnet over the wall and it will stick to the nails that are holding the studs.

Once you have found a stud, you can mark it with a pencil or a piece of tape. This will make it easier to find the stud later when you need to hang something on the wall.