How to Nail Plaster Walls

Plaster walls vary greatly from drywall. Underneath the thick plaster lies wooden lath boards. It's not easy to hammer a nail into plaster. The thick, hard plaster can easily crack and even break into pieces. If the nail hits a lath board, it will bounce off like it's made of rubber. There are other fasteners on the market that are recommended for hanging pictures and other items on plaster walls. If you're determined to use nails, however, there is a way to secure them in the wall without damaging it.

Measuring tape
Pencil
Clear tape
Power drill
Drill bit
Hammer
Nail
Stud finder

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the plaster wall a few times to make sure you know where to place the nail. Mark the final spot with a pencil.
- 2
  Place a small piece of clear tape on the mark on the wall. The tape will prevent the plaster from cracking when you hammer the nail in.
- 3
  Insert a bit in the power drill that's a little smaller than the diameter of the nail.
- 4
  Drill a pilot hole in the mark you made on the plaster wall. If the nail is long, drill the hole so it goes all the way through the plaster and into the lath board.
- 5
  Insert the end of the nail into the pilot hole. Gently hammer the nail into the wall to secure it.

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