![]() Visit our Lath and Plaster blog for more information. (In Scotland, they even used horsehair!) If metal mesh was used, even metal scanners may not find the stud. I have a strong magnetic stud finder that I still use for the ceiling. I bought it just from recommendations in the Costco subreddit, and so glad I did. Have only missed a stud maybe once or twice. Mesh is also used to help secure the plaster to the lath in some instances. I dont know what country youre in, but Costco sells a stud finder that works fabulously on my plaster and lathe walls. This keying creates the inconsistencies that challenge stud finding technology.Ī MultiScanner® wall scanner with metal-finding capabilities or one of our dedicated metal scanners may be used to locate nails fastening wood lath to the studs. Through insufficient “keying,” the plaster falls off over time. The photo to the right illustrates how plaster oozes through the lath to create curls called “keys.” Keys keep the plaster securely attached to the lath. After the plaster completely dries, the walls can be painted. A rough, sandy “brown coat” is applied, followed by a smooth, finish coat on top. Two wet coats of plaster are applied to the laths. To fully understand why these walls present such challenges, it’s best to first take a look at how they’re built.įirst, wood laths, narrow strips of wood, are nailed horizontally across vertical wall studs. Stud finders, however, will not always return accurate results with lath and plaster walls because of the very inconsistent method by which they are constructed.Īlthough walls may have a smooth surface, some walls deceptively hide an inconsistent combination of wood (lath) and plaster, with deep and shallow levels of density among the plaster, lath and stud. To function properly, the wall surface must have a consistent density level, and be less dense than the wood stud. I prefer to play it safe for peace of mind.StudSensor™ stud finders locate studs by identifying increases and changes in density behind the wall. You cannot lift them single handed (well I can't anyway) and you really do not want them coming off. ![]() However, there are a few factors that can affect the accuracy and maximum depth of detection. The density change caused by the wooden stud is typically enough for the stud finder to register a reading. Whilst possibly over the top but these radiators are seriously heavy and more so when filled with water (they take a lot). When using a stud finder on lath and plaster walls, it is usually able to detect the studs through these layers. With the larger verticals and no feet I found it easier to take down the lathe and plaster and build a studwork frame to suit the radiator fixings before plasterboarding and re-skimming. ![]() ![]() With the largest of the column cast iron rads I have fitted I removed a horizontal rectangle of the lathe and plaster and fixed timber at the height of the studs before plastering back over. I would strongly recommend buying the Zircon stud detector which I have found excellent and picking up the line of small lathe nails. The radiator stays can go between any of columns to suit the stud spacing. The advantage to the columns is you have much more leeway that with the majority of standard radiators where it will be fixed. In my experience the rad brackets never align with two sets of studs even with the small amount of horizontal play. Still I would want it fixed to the studs. The majority of the weight is being directed straight down. With the rads like the one pictured I would use feet like mentioned above if at all possible. Current task is a wall hung vertical weighing in a 68Kg dry to lathe and plaster. Have had and am still having the same problem as yourself. ![]()
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