

No matter which method you use, you should always confirm your findings before proceeding to hang your piece. When the sound is muffled, you'll know you've hit a stud. If you hear a hollow or empty sound, tap a little to the left or to the right. To verify whether or not you've found a stud without doing any damage to your wall, knock or tap the area gently with your hammer, says Rothman. Still, when all else fails, locating the edge of your window and measuring 16 inches from there can help provide some general guidance.
#REPAIR PLASTER ART S WINDOWS#
Windows usually have a stud on each side, but finding the edges can be tricky, rendering this method less reliable than the ones noted above, says Rothman. To try this trick, hold the flashlights upright, parallel to the wall. You can sometimes spot these with the naked eye, but a flashlight can be helpful for illuminating any slight dimples in the wall.

Though less reliable than the above method, dimples are a telltale sign of where drywall is fastened to the edge of a stud, particularly in plaster walls, says Rothman. (Some are placed 24 inches apart, so you may have to measure twice.) 2. Then, measure 16 inches from there, since wall studs are typically spaced 16 inches apart by code, she explains. Electrical boxes are typically attached to studs, so start by locating the one nearest to the area where you want to place something that needs a little extra reinforcement. The most reliable method, find a light switch or a power outlet, says Rothman. Locate the nearest light switch or power outlet
#REPAIR PLASTER ART S HOW TO#
Here's how to find a stud in the wall quickly and easily, with or without a stud finder: 1. Otherwise, whatever it is you're hanging won’t have something sturdy to latch on to, leaving your piece susceptible to falling, which can damage your wall in the process. To securely hang anything heavy - substantial pictures, wall-mounted shelves, a mirror or tech equipment, for example - you'll need to locate a wall stud, a vertical piece of framing within your walls, says Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute. But before you pick up that hammer to put the finishing touches on your space, stop to consider what it is you're hanging.
#REPAIR PLASTER ART S FULL#
You'll be better off getting a good plasterer to finish the job with a full plaster coat.Whether you're hanging pictures or a new TV, a bit of wall decor does wonders to make a room feel cohesive and complete. Also, think twice before trying to finish handy boards with tape and jointing compound as it's difficult to achieve a smooth surface. But as these are smaller, they need a lot more fixings, which means the job takes longer and you end up with a patchwork finish. Worried that you'll have trouble carrying or handling full-size plasterboard sheets? You'll find 1220mm x 600mm handy boards are easier to manage. But whichever way you choose, you'll need to start at the doorway and work outwards at either side. If you're doing so horizontally, you should nail the bottom row of boards to the frame and stagger the vertical joints. If you're fixing your sheets vertically, position each width so that the joins align at the centre of a stud. Vertical or horizontal? You can fix plasterboard sheets horizontally or vertically (which is easier, as they're heavy and can rest on the floor).

And if you're cutting a lot of plasterboard, specialist plasterboard blades will be quicker, safer and give you a cleaner cut. As your knife blade will become blunt very quickly, it's worth using a knife with replaceable blades for this job. You'll need to cut the sheets to fit, especially if your walls and ceilings aren't completely straight. Standard plasterboard has a grey side and an ivory side (which faces outwards). Tapered-edge boards make it easier to get a smooth finish using tape and jointing compound.īrowse our selection of plasterboard and the pick the right one for you based on your needs. This comes in different widths, lengths and types - including acoustic check plasterboard that gives you better sound insulation. When you've put your stud wall framework in place, you'll need to cover it with 12.5mm-thick plasterboard.
