Walls alone are not strong enough to hold heavy objects, such as television, shelves or even a heavy picture frame. Hence, the studs support the walls, helping them in maintaining the weight of certain objects. The studs are considered to be an essential part of a building; however, sometimes it can be difficult to find them. If the studs are not located correctly, you will end up having holes and screw marks all over your walls. Therefore, we’ve brought you some different methods that will help you locate the studs in this post.

Note: These methods are effective for plaster walls only.

Method 1: Stud finder

There are different types of stud finder that have different efficiency levels. The two most common types of stud finders are the ones that come with three separate target magnets and the other has built-in magnets. However, we believe the one with built-in magnet gives better and more accurate results. The steps given can be used for both kinds of magnetic stud finder.

Things you’ll need:

  • Magnetic stud finder
  • Pencil

Here are the simple steps that will help you locate studs in a plaster wall

  • Put your stud finder on to the wall where you want to hang your specific object.
  • Now, start moving the device horizontally on the surface of the wall.
  • As soon as the device finds a metal stud, it will cling on to it.
  • Take your pencil and mark the location of the stud.
  • Now, place your device on the mark and start moving it vertically.
  • As soon as the device detects a metal stud it will again stick to the wall.
  • With the help of a pencil mark the location of the second stud.

Method 2: Magnet

The second method is a bit time consuming as it is completely manual; hence, no electric devices are included. Even though no devices are included this method, it still gives you the same results as all the other methods.

Things you’ll need:

  • Strong magnet
  • Dental floss or string
  • Pencil
  • Measuring tape

Steps to follow:

  • Buy a strong magnet. They usually give more accurate results than other common magnets.
  • Take a medium-sized string of dental floss and tie the magnet to it.
  • Now start dangling the magnet against the wall.
  • Start moving it horizontally but, make sure you move it very slowly. You might end up missing a stud if you’re going too fast.
  • As a result, the magnet will stick onto the wall every now and then as soon as it senses a stud.
  • Take your pencil and mark the location of your stud.
  • After finding the first stud, follow the steps again, in order to find the second stud.
  • With the help of your pencil mark the location of the second stud.
  • Now grab your tape measure and measure the distance between both studs.
  • The distance between the two studs should either be 16 or 24 inches.
  • Place your measuring tape on the mark of the second stud and make a new mark, depending on the distance that you’ve measured earlier between the first two studs.
  • Once all the desired locations of the studs have been found, take the magnet again.
  • Start dangling the magnet near the marks that you’ve made on the wall.
  • The magnet will stick on the wall where the marks are. On the other hand, if it does not stick on the wall, then it means there has been a mistake in measuring the distance.

Note: Make sure you take all the measurements accurately.

Method 3: Electrical switchboard

Things you’ll need:

  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Strong magnet

Steps to follow:

  • Find an electrical switch board in your house.
  • Turn off the power supply and remove the cover from the switch to look inside.
  • Make sure that you don’t touch any wires; we don’t want you to electrocute yourself.
  • As soon as you spot a stud, take your measuring tape and measure off 16 inches and 24 inches in order to find the next one.
  • Take your magnet and slide it very slowly over the marks.
  • It will stick slightly onto one of the marks that you’ve made. Check the measurement of that mark and note it down.
  • Likewise, make another mark on the wall, as the third stud and so on.

Note: Before following this method make sure that you have turned off the power supply.

In short, above were some of the best methods that you can use to find studs in a plaster wall. However, the results of each method might slightly differ from one another. Make sure that you take all the necessary safety precautions while following the third method.

Will a stud finder work on plaster walls?

Because standard stud finders detect a change in density inside the wall, they don’t work on lath and plaster — the density inside these walls is not constant enough. If you have just moved into an older home and your stud finder isn’t doing its job, invest in a metal scanner instead.

How do you find a stud without a detector?

If you don’t find signs of a stud 16 inches from the first one, measure 24 inches from the first stud and look again there. Drive a small nail into the wall where you believe you have found a stud. If the nail doesn’t hit wood under the plaster or drywall, pull it out and insert a wire hanger into the hole.

How do you find studs in lath and plaster walls?

How far apart are studs in lath and plaster walls?

They’re always spaced either 16 or 24 inches on-center (measured from center to center) along the wall and run between the floor and ceiling. Drywall or lath (for plaster walls) attaches to the edge of the studs.

Do all plaster walls have studs?

It’s pretty simple to find a stud in common drywall. Plaster can be too thick or dense to find a stud with stud finders, which is probably why you’re finding that these don’t work. And if the lath is a metal wire type, instead of older wood lath, a stud finder will produce false readings.

How do you find a stud in a plaster wall without a stud finder?

How do you hang something heavy on a plaster wall?

How far apart are wall studs in old house?

You may be asking, “How far apart are studs?” Typical stud spacing is 16 inches on center and even on older houses is rarely greater than 24 inches on center. Most electrical boxes for switches or outlets are attached to a stud on one side. There are studs on either side of a window.

Can I use my iPhone as a stud finder?

The iPhone beeps when its magnetometer, in the upper right of the phone, is near metal. Stud Find is an iPhone application that uses the device’s built-in magnetometer to find metal studs, screws, nails and anything metallic in a wall.

Why can’t I find a stud in my wall?

There are several savvy ways to spot studs without any tool. Take a look at baseboard trim or crown molding. Baseboards should be attached to studs and if the spacing of nails is about 16 inches this might be the case. Spot the nails with your eye then knock on the wall directly above the nail location.

Do old homes have studs?

In older homes, studs may be 24 inches apart, or spaced irregularly. Youcan purchase an electronic or magnetic stud finding device, like those picturedat right, or try these tips on locatingwall studs. Studs are located next to a window or door edge.

How do you find a stud in an old house?

Electrical boxes for outlets and light switches are supposed to be attached to studs. Though there may be an occasional free floating box in an old home, you have an excellent chance of finding a stud on one side of the box. To see which side the stud is on, take the switch plate cover off and take a peak inside.

How do I find a stud with a magnet?

Are studs always 16 apart?

When a home is framed, the wall studs are usually spaced 16 or 24 inches apart. If you start in a corner and measure out 16 inches and you don’t find a stud, you should find one at 24 inches.

What if the studs are too far apart?

Why are 16 studs centered?

Studs that are too far apart can also create problems because the material between them will actually bow in some cases. If your wall seems flimsy, you’re usually better off drilling directly into studs and securing the mount with lag bolts.

How many inches apart are studs?

“16 inches on center” means the center of each 2×4 wall stud is 16 inches apart from the next one. This standard is necessary because building materials are designed to fit that space. This uniform distance also makes it easier to locate wall studs when hanging mirrors or cabinets.