Plaster Wall Repair Basics - Anatomy of a lath and plaster wall

www.plastermagi... | Before you get started on any plaster wall repair project, it's important to know what a lath and plaster wall looks like. Rory Brennan takes us behind the wall to see how plaster stays attached and what makes this centuries-old construction method so special. Big Wally's Plaster Magic reinforces the original plaster wall design, permanently restoring dried plaster. It's available at www.plastermagi....

[@SavannahHarrington]

Hi! We bought our first house last year. It’s 1929 with mostly plaster walls. We have had folks suggest we just drywall because it’s easier than dealing with plaster despite nothing being wrong with it! Excited to learn how to care for our home! ❤️ thanks for this video!!

[@hockeylilly]

Thank you. This is a big help in understanding my 1890 home with plaster walls and their cracking and loosening

[@Tech215Studios]

We just bought a house in North Wilmington, DE (Belfonte) and the house is OLD!!! Built in 1915 and most of the house is wooden math and plaster walls. I showed my girl this video so she could understand why a lot of the walls are wavy and have imperfections. This was an amazing explanation!!! Thank You!!

[@joshuasmith4682]

Simple and concise. Thank you so much!

[@owlsinsomnia2540]

Thank you - that was exactly what I needed to know.

[@MrKelly-ll1lx]

Same here! God bless 🛐

[@slowride2222]

Two minute master class, thank you!

[@vincentmatthewsjr.1519]

You broke that down so well and so quickly!

[@blitzinger1]

So this video is really good to show whats behind the wall. Im trying to install ethernet outlets. I cut through the plaster and now have the horizontal wood. Before I cut, what should I do to prepare? you said in your video the people who cut out the outlet didn't prepare which is why those pieces are loose.

[@HobokenHam]

Thanks! This was the best explanation yet I've seen of how plaster. lath and studs are utilized to build these walls. I own a early 1890s brownstone and always fear mounting pictures and paintings. Now I know to look for the studs. You may have a few tricks for doing that. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks again.

[@seandaly5374]

I've heard using a metal detector could work. You can use it to find the nails hammered in where the studs are.

[@HobokenHam]

@@seandaly5374 Great idea! I just happen to have one. I'll give it a try.

[@chazluckey]

Other people use magnets to find the nail heads

[@clarehendrickson2865]

Thank you!! It is so helpful to get a visual!!

[@TRON0314]

Being selfish and sad Rory doesn't have an ongoing series here. Great vid!

[@leemoore8154]

If you need to cut into a plaster wall for an electrical box, how can you avoid damaging the lath or making it come loose? Would using something gentler than a reciprocating saw help?

[@ravageawakened]

I've used an oscillating saw and you still need to go through the lath.

[@165Dash]

So THAT was what was behind the wall of that first apartment in Boston that I rented after college...LOL. Great video! Just think of all of those millions of strips of lath that were hand nailed in place all over the country over the past 200 years.

[@victhemann]

That's the way I think. Pretty mind-blowing isn't it

[@heydrdj]

Great intro to lathe and plaster. Could you talk a bit about how these were insulated? I have wall with lathe and plaster beside a chimney, and it's crumbling. I was thinking I'd put 1" foam panels on the interior and then drywall, but don't want to trap moisture between the plaster and the outer wall.

[@amandaboyce4140]

To my understanding, most lath and plaster does not have interior insulation. Lath and plaster walls are thicker and have a higher insulation and noise cancelling rating than drywall does.

[@laurahoffman9979]

This was really interesting. I was watching a home-improvement show and they came across this in an old house. I had never seen or heard about plaster and lath before. You just don't see this in Florida. Your video satisfied my curiosity about it.

[@thehamstew]

Laura Hoffman I live in a home in FLorida with plaster walls. I actually see it all the time in older homes.

[@13mikewalks]

Awesome walkthrough, thanks for the info!

[@alegator7249]

Short and informative. Nice.

[@DCBARNONE89]

Hi there.....thanks for sharing! It's so refreshing to see a nice well built wall! People should say no to drywall/sheet-rock/wall board, etc. Good times!

[@LouCars]

Why should people do that? Genuine interest.

[@OldHouseRenovation]

Great video and information. I created a Lath & Plaster removal video. I had to open up some walls for an electrical and plumbing replacement in a 123-year-old house. There are some walls staying and the repair information is helpful.

[@sarahmallas3431]

Thank you

[@danielriveraandujar7133]

I have plaster wall and I need to put 2x4 in it so I can install a tv bracket do you have any videos on how to do it

[@user-dp4sn1lg1j]

In the 50s 60s. What would be typical spacing of studs for the lathe?

[@victhemann]

They used a drywall back then that has circles in it. It was later realized that they could use that same product without holes and call it drywall

[@LAKEARETE]

So informative! Thank you!!!

[@georged.9948]

Thanks for doing this one - very helpful!

[@victhemann]

Thank you I learned something today.

[@bluecollarballers7315]

Great video. Thanks for posting.

[@marypimm9082]

Helpful for my firefighter 1 class!

[@donadams7469]

Hey I'm glad I ran into this video again, lath and plaster is a beast of it's own , typically with lath and plaster comes the pain of knob and tubing... that being said I'm scoping out my so's house and have seen plenty of no no's when it comes to the electrical very scary... and a lot of it has been damaged to the point where it should all be mitigated, do you know if it was typical for that time period to run straight shots from the basement to the attics as I would like to re use the same passages as much as possible I already have some repair to do on the plaster I would like to limit how much I have to do thank you!

[@noahmorrelljr.999]

I need to hang a tv on my plaster wall any do's and dont's and suggestions on types of screws?

[@TheSwinners94]

The Thread i know its like 3 months late but i somehow stumbled on this video and saw your comment, personally i would always go for plaster rawl plug fixing then possible 2”10’s

[@fredflintstone2234]

For something that heavy you must screw into the wood column holding the lathe boards. Search how to locate beam in plaster lathe using a magnet. Once you find the column, use a 2 inch wood screw, heavy duty.

[@TheHammy123]

z i qwerthassdgbZc i

[@KimberlyYoungMcDonald]

I'm trying to hang a shelving system in a ole house that has lath and plaster it has been a nightmare. when I drill my holes I want to drill in the lath correct....once I do that do I need to use anchors or just the screw?

[@ivemeister]

Good video. "Keyways", new word for me. :)

[@ryanbrowne360]

Thank you super helpful!

[@ritabritschgi5930]

And how do you suggest to fix these walls. Someone has suggested they strip the walls to the studs and lay drywall. What would be my other options?

[@moofushu]

When I go to my hardware store I don't think I ever seen them stock wood lath bundles. What are the dimensions of a single wood lath member? I'd like to see if I can locate it at my local hardware store.

[@catistrolling7333]

How well do you know this old house and lathe - are there usually studs at the corners and near or at windows can you show this too

[@slaydesantis294]

That makes A LOT of sense! I have to totally replace some lath in my 1907 house. There's a hole where there must've been some kind of register. I have to do a small section then plaster it. I was wondering how the plaster would stick to the lath and what the heck a key meant. Thanks!

[@jill552]

Wally didn’t answer, but 2 years later, I will in case anyone cares. The “key” is the bulge of plaster that comes between the strips of lathe to lock or “key” the plaster to the lathe.

[@georgewaynewilcoxjr2102]

if you are putting plaster up put the first throw up and push all the way to the lath then immediately put up more plaster. That insures keying.

[@hbic3]

Are the studs in an early 20th century house still pretty much 16 OC? I need to hang a shelf, house built in 1915, all plaster and lath, going to drill small holes along the bottom but If I don't have to keep drilling to find the next stud after the first, I'd prefer that. Have a feeling my house might not have very "standard" and "even" stud spacing.

[@VladTN1977]

I have to join plaster with tile at the corners due to renovation. What corner design and material do your suggest? Also, do you know any asbestos cases in those 1900s joint compounds?

[@tessjones5987]

Love this.

[@ralphh4131]

cool video thank you

[@TheFzerbe]

thank you!

[@sherrymckay7]

Is there any way to make a hole squeeze some plaster in a loose area it's bulging out my wall isn't straight

[@jaelynrae6045]

How do you prepare the lath for cutring out a box for a new outlet?

[@markhull9156]

That was good.

[@seanmortazyt]

Thanks Great exclamation!

[@denisemayes4801]

This is a really helpful visual, thank you! Now I know why stuff falls behind the wall when I drive a nail in to hang something! My house has a lot of faux wood paneling, which I now wonder if it was used to cover up any blemishes in the plaster! I absolutely can't stand the paneling and the plastered walls are always cold to the touch (even in the summer)!! It's a lose-lose!

[@MrWolfSnack]

You have to find the stud when you want to hang something on the wall, you can't just hammer it in wherever. The wood paneling was not used to cover up anything, it was a popular renovation style in the late 60s through the early 1980s as that was the new thing. Just like wall to wall carpet did in the 1950's. Cold walls in the summer are not a problem at all, you want your house to be cool. Also plaster is a masonry material so it is not an insulator of heat, it always reflects heat off. Also in most early construction homes of lathe and plaster, its very common they have no insulation at all (it had not been invented yet) and if there is any, it's likely going to be old newspapers glued into the back of the exterior wall which was all people knew at the time on how to insulate their home from drafts.

[@user-dp4sn1lg1j]

Great info.

[@arniet1]

Great information thankyou. How would you extend or shorten the width of a lath and plaster wall to accept a new door frame?

[@miroslavlukezic3661]

Sei il top!👍

[@vince6829]

Thank you for sharing your your knowledge. It’s much appreciated. Question: Any suggestions on how to strengthen a plaster and lath wall after cutting a hole in it for an (old work) electrical box?

[@harmonillustration]

When hanging pictures, do I still need to use the studs, or are the laths strong enough to be screwed into?

[@elvism684]

It depends on how heavy the picture is. I have some hanging on my plastered wall and no problems.

[@peterstanghellini393]

I can only imagine the skill it must have took to do those walls back in the day

[@CalebBlock]

Thank you plaster man

[@LivingSquirel]

I'm planning to mount a tv on a wall with lathe. The stud finder has pointed me where I should have a stud but I'm wondering if there is a spot to drill. Should I be going between the nail areas give me the best chance at not fudging my wall.

[@jeffsond]

So what’s the best way to mount my flat screen tv on a wall like that? And, am I able to use a stud finder to find the stud or will I just find all slats? Thx

[@daniquethompson2853]

Hello, can you please adv if plaster absorbs cigarette smoke? We’re looking into buying this house but the lady smoked in it for 20+ years, we’re concerned if this is a health hazard for the walls

[@MrDjC5]

What tool did you use to cut out that large piece?

[@federicoeco9030]

Hello, did they use lime and sand for the plaster ? Did they mix some kind of fiber ? What about if today we apply a mesh ?

[@jjooeegg1]

I gutted my 1908 two flat down to the lath . Leaving the lath which is nailed perfectly in place still . I want to hire a plasterer . Are they familiar with the old best way and know to make good keys like you mentioned . Also is this common to gut to the lath and refinish . Do you need to use the weld brushed all over it to help bond . Thanks

[@edwardkiernan]

Interesting. But aren't the 2X4 turned the wrong way to the laths?

[@joeolearsky7558]

What is the best way to put a railing on a plaster wall?

[@calebmurdock2028]

So THAT'S what those down-hanging bits of plaster are called, keys! However, I can't find that definition in the dictionary. But I did find the word "cotter", which may be more accurate. I'm looking into it.

[@123GoBrits]

1936 house that I need to run some plumbing through. Are the studs that hold that sample wall together 16 inches on center? Why are they turned face to the lathing ?

[@dsjm123]

Your video has helped me to understand the player walls of a house I just moved into. It had no kitchen cabinets, but I think the new ones I had installed were done the same as on drywall because they are pulling away from the walls. I'm too scared to put anything in them now. Do you have a video that shows how to hang regular heavy kitchen cabinets on a 1940s plaster Paris walls? Thanks

[@asinegaasinega]

Please share what you did (i kow, 3years ago). Please let me know if you have videos that helped you. I have a 1940 home that I moved into also. The kitchen walls is what I want to change but I am scared like you.

[@raymondhogue1]

Does the 2x4 in a 1940 house lay flat like that normally thx

[@cieprichard7]

My house was built late 1890....row home .... My parents bought the house in 1952....now the house is mine........I came across this problem.......when the homes were built did the plaster....come all the way to the floor and the baseboards on top of that.......cuz the wood that you show with the plaster.....I have showing at the bottom were the baseboards used to be........mom had the downstairs all paneling......and at that time removed all baseboards...

[@samella35]

I would like to restore/refinish a lathe wall (without plaster) to an inside wall. Have u ever done this?

[@gerardjr7]

What would the best anchor be for a tv mount

[@doretteshepherd7527]

if I have to replace a juction box with a new style that will be nailed to the stud afterwards, I will have to create a bigger opening to nail the box. what can I use to repair my larger opening afterwards? thanks

[@villapiazza1072]

If you're going to be breaking the plaster, then you can simply reapply new plaster to fill in the hole. Mix it yourself. Look for dry plaster wall patch or you can order Big Wally's product.

[@edt5276]

Any good way to find studs behind lath&plaster? Advice on blowing insulation behind L&P. That is, diamond hole saw? Best way to patch a hundred holes? Would I have to reconstruct lath at ever hole? Maybe I'd do quick patch then cover with crown molding.

[@janetwhite7786]

Ed T - i wish he wd answer these questions. I have yr same questions.

[@anotherOneMore7]

The problems I'd like to find the solution to are all the problems you listed in this video.

[@gageklassen4598]

Hi ! Can we nail gun ship lap over a lathe and plaster wall ?? Also, how can we tell if we have a lathe and plaster wall instead of drywall ?? Thanks !

[@owlsinsomnia2540]

You'll know if you hit it with your fist! Plaster is solid and feels like hitting a rock. Drywall is like hitting firm cardboard.

[@EdieBabeMonster]

So awesome thanks for showing that. Quick question: the rental house I live in is old plaster & lathe and occasionally a new roommate will innocently attempt to hammer in a small nail only to have to hammer actually bounce back at them as if hitting rubber if some kind... any ideas what that might be?

[@villapiazza1072]

Could be a spot where a nail is already there. Could also be a metal pipe.

[@janetwhite7786]

Also cd be the lathe loose from the plaster and it snaps back.

[@Endoe.McKronic]

Wow... Good to know if I buy an older home and the pain it can be to remodel it. What about asbestos back then?

[@villapiazza1072]

Depends on the year it was built. Generally speaking, wall plaster didn't include asbestos until the 1940s.

[@robinlooney5440]

I bought a house built in 1949. Who do I contact to have my plaster walls tested to see if I have asbestos? I wanted to remove a half of a wall to build a breakfast bar. Thank you.

[@sasquatchwizardadirondacks7710]

My name is Jonathan, owner/President of JMR IRISH DRYWALL INC. Drywall is our family business and it’s all I’ve ever done for work and at 50 yrs old I would like to know what the shelf life of plaster is? The integrity is all but gone from what I observe and repairing it is a waste of time and customers money.

[@hispano25]

Thanks for the upload. What kind of plaster did you use?

[@BigWalleze]

Thanks for watching, hispano25. When we do repairs, we use Big Wally's Patching Plaster, available here: ow.ly/GIsJQ It's formulated to bond with the original plaster that you see in this video, which is about 100 years old, better than a thicker modern plaster would.

[@alexandersmith3989]

Glad to see cutting corners isn't a new thing, as the old timers would try to suggest 😂

[@summerlove4100]

What is the distance between studs on a plaster wall?

[@undertoes]

did u find out

[@sarahloffler1872]

Can we replace a large and plaster wall with sheet rock?

[@dodgeramsport01]

why would anyone want to replace this skill with nasty looking drywall, makes no since to me

[@HomeWithHorton]

I love you❤

[@johnott1864]

Thanks for the videos they are very informative. Problem: My plaster wall is flaking and blistering below my windows. I've repaired the area before by removing material into the base coat. Then I used structolite with surface coatings of joint compound. It looked great, but the problem came back. I assume that it is moisture related. Any ideas on where to find the source of the problem (what is the most common cause) so that a final repair can be made. Thanks.

[@BigWalleze]

Hi johnott1864, It sounds like you are indeed having a problem with moisture. There are a lot of spots around a window where moisture can leak in. I would investigate around the frame and under the trim. Condensation from the window itself could be an issue, too, especially if you live in a climate where condensation can freeze overnight and melt in the morning. Keep looking, and remember that water runs downhill - the source could be higher up than where you first see damage. Structolite is a gypsum plaster, which makes it extremely susceptible to water damage. Think of rain on sidewalk chalk. This is one reason Big Wally's Patching Plaster is lime based - it works more effectively in these situations. When you make the final repair, remove all the blistering parts and spray the remaining plaster with Big Wally's Conditioner, which will partially seal and consolidate the brittle original plaster and prepare the surface for your new patch coat. Hope this helps. Good luck with your project!

[@dta97392]

Do ??? s get answered here at all? I see no replys?

[@Schroo]

Where's the repair?

[@g6854]

Brendan L thinks your wet plaster would feel good inside. Cut black trans out of lathe and restore their broken plaster holes.

[@NoirHammer]

How does one find the studs in a lath and plaster wall?

[@laurants]

I look in the mirror...

[@hyperflys]

Stud detector or measure 24" studs distance from the the wall.

[@pattymac7809]

The Kirk, I just saw a guy use a magnet to find the nails that were used to attach the lathe to the studs. Pretty cool!

[@ordinary_deepfake]

A W E S O M E

[@10Steve]

My plaster walls don't have wooden slats, our walls the plaster is over wire mesh.

[@seanoxborough5830]

Didn't think they had recipitating saws then

[@jorgiep09]

I really hate this old plaster ,we are currently demoing some apartments it's alot of trash 🗑, insulation ,lath and plaster and some places it has double layer drywall but for sure one layer drywall and this mess ,I was really curious about how they did it back then ,real 2x4 ,4x4, 2x8 on ceilings and 2x10 on floors ,unlike today's 1.5"×3.5" cheap wood 🪵

[@chrisdidonna7386]

Nothing in life is more important than full keys.

[@jerrystoll7184]

My house is a lot board start fire did not work did not know about magnets now I do but I also know dad every two foot two by four

[@jerryjohnson2421]

can u still buy lathe and do plastert in 2023

[@dsjm123]

On my last comment I meant to say 'plaster' walls, not 'player'.

[@Xerkies]

If I get a old house I would just remove all the laths and plaster and then place dry wall over the studs

[@justinadair5154]

Very informative! Thank you.