How to Mount TV on Plaster Lath Wall? Magnetic Stud Finder for Plaster Walls, by Tools and Repairs on YouTube. 2 min 48 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 48 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Knock along the wall and press on the plaster to find hollow, loose or crumbly patches. Repair any soft spots before you load the wall with a TV.
Slide the magnetic stud finder across the wall. It snaps to the nails or screws that hold the wood lath strips to the studs, so mark each spot with tape.
Measure 16 inches from the first stud line to find the next, then confirm each one by drilling a small test hole or pushing a thin nail through to feel solid wood.
Mark the height you want the top of the TV, then use the mount template to mark the bolt holes so they land on the stud lines. Check the marks with a level.
If the studs do not line up with the mount holes, cut a piece of 3/4 inch plywood that spans two studs, screw it to the studs and bolt the mount to the board.
Drill through the plaster with a masonry bit, then drill pilot holes into the studs with a wood bit slightly narrower than your lag bolts.
Bolt the wall plate on and tighten the lag bolts with a socket wrench until it sits snug against the wall. Stop before you crush the plaster.
Fix the arms to the back of the TV, lift it with a helper and hook it onto the plate. Level it, tighten the safety screws and route the cables.
Tips and common mistakes
Old plaster walls often have studs at 12 or 24 inches instead of 16, so measure every stud rather than assuming.
A magnet beats an electronic stud finder on plaster because the lath nails give a sharp, repeatable signal.
Skip drywall anchors in crumbly plaster, since they pull out under the leverage of a TV on a bracket.
Wear a dust mask and glasses, as drilling plaster throws fine dust and the lath edges are sharp.
Questions
Can I mount a TV on plaster without hitting studs?
No. Plaster and lath alone cannot hold the pull-out weight of a TV. Bolt into the studs, or span two studs with a plywood backer board and mount to that.
How do I find studs behind plaster and lath?
Use a magnetic stud finder to locate the nails holding the lath to the studs, then confirm with a small test hole or a thin nail pushed through the plaster.
How heavy a TV can a plaster wall hold?
Once the bolts reach the studs, the limit is the rating of the mount and the bolts, not the plaster. Check the mount's weight limit before you buy it.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
