How to Find the Wall Studs in an Old House

Older houses were built with plaster and lath walls. Most pictures can be nailed into the plaster and lath wall, but it will not be strong enough to support hanging heavy things like a plasma TV or a closet organizer. You need to hang them on a wall stud. Finding a wall stud in a plaster wall is a bit more difficult than finding one in drywall. A homeowner has a few options to find a stud to support heavier items.

Tape measure
Drill
Coat hanger
Cordless razor
Rag
Stud finder

Instructions

- 1
  Place a tape measure in the corner of the wall and measure 16 inches along the wall. Look at the floorboards for signs of nails. The studs are nailed to the ceilings and floorboards. If there are no signs of nails, measure 24 inches from the corner, and look again. Most studs are positioned at 16- or 24-inch intervals.
- 2
  Look for electrical boxes as they are usually installed on the side of the stud.
- 3
  Drill a small hole in the wall and insert a coat hanger that has been bent into an "L" shape. Spin it around. If it can't spin, then it is probably hitting a stud.
- 4
  Knock on the wall with your fist. Knocking on a stud will produce a more solid sound than knocking on the rest of the wall, which will sound more hollow.
- 5
  Run a cordless razor wrapped in a rag against the wall. When it hits a stud, the sound will change.
- 6
  Slide a magnetic or electronic stud finder across the wall to find the nails or screws in the stud. The stud finder will flash a light or make a sound depending on the model.

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