Will Stud Finders Work on Plaster Walls?

Need

• Homeowners need to find studs for many reasons. Nailing or screwing your project to a stud assures a firm hold of the fastener and prevents putting stress on the plaster. Your job could be as simple as hanging a mirror or as complicated as hanging a bookcase--attaching to studs is necessary to keep your project firmly and permanently in place.

Stud Finders

• Stud finders use powerful magnets to locate the nails that keep plaster lath on the studs. You slowly drag the stud finder across the wall and the device lights up and/or beeps when it finds metal. In modern construction, finding one stud usually means you can locate others by measuring 16 inches from the center of a stud. Many older homes have variable stud distances.

Challenges

• Because plaster walls are so thick and dense, stud finder magnets do not always penetrate them as easily as they do the typical 1/2-inch drywall found in most newer homes. A budget stocking-stuffer stud finder probably won't do the trick. Make sure the finder is labeled for use on plaster walls. Buying the best device you can afford goes a long way toward ensuring success.

Alternatives

• You can also find studs using old-fashioned techniques. Experienced carpenters often knock on walls and listen for a dull thud to indicate a stud. Hammering finish nails across the wall until a nail catches in a stud is time consuming, but accurate. Remove face plates from light switches and electric outlets to see where they are attached to find a stud. Make sure that you shut off the electricity to that panel, then use a stiff wire to probe around inside the opening to find the wood.