How to Anchor a Railing to a Damaged Area of a Plaster Wall

A plaster wall that has been damaged will not offer the necessary support for a hand railing and can lead to injury if the area is not fixed before the railing is installed. The plaster must first be patched, a project that will take only a few minutes to complete and can be done for a nominal fee. Once the plaster sets, the railing can then be safely anchored into the wall.

Chisel
Plaster of Paris
Bucket
Trowel
Drill
Wall anchors
Brackets and screws for railing

Instructions

- 1
  Remove any debris from the wall with a chisel. Scrape away the debris in the damaged area. The surface must be entirely clean of any dust or debris.
- 2
  Mix together plaster of Paris with water in a clean bucket. Follow the package instructions to see how much water is needed for that particular mix. Do not mix the plaster until you are ready to begin.
- 3
  Apply the plaster to the wall with a trowel. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle and smooth on the first layer of plaster. This coat should be a 1/4-inch thick. If this does not completely fill in the damaged area, wait five minutes and add another coat. Let the plaster set over night.
- 4
  Install wall anchors into the plaster with a drill. Use a masonry bit and drill the hole for the anchor. Screw in the wall anchor until the head is flush with the wall.
- 5
  Attach the brackets for the railing into the wall anchors. Hold the brackets up to the wall. Insert the screws into the holes and tighten them into the wall anchors. You can now attach the railing.

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