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hanging on plaster walls?

It seems like I have sheetrock on top of plaster and lathe walls. I used an awl for the pilot holes but couldn't get through the lathe. I put two screws (no anchors) in and hung a cabinet (about 30lbs). The screws are secure, the cabinet seems sturdy, and there was no cracking in the wall. Will it hold or how long do I have until it crashes to the ground?

4 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Since you have doubt that it's holding good, take the cabinet down and find a drill. Drill a 3/16" hole through the Sheetrock and plaster until you get to the wood. Keep drilling until you've gone at least an additional 3/8". I my experience, this is usually the thickest lathe that I've ever seen. Most of it's usually 1/8-1/4". After you've gone that far, switch to a 1/16 bit and keep going until you are sure that there's still wood at the end of the end of the drill bit. You can now go ahead and hang your cabinet up with confidence, and you won't stay awake at night wondering if the cabinet is going to fall in the middle of the night.

    This entire process from start to finish will take no longer than 15 minutes.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Cabinets should be screwed into a stud. If you caught the lathe, it may hold for awhile. It may seem sturdy. However, in my experiance, the screw will loosen over time. The lathe just doesn't provide enough wood to get a good 'bite' of. In my opinion, this cabinet is a ticking bomb.

    Source: I have mortar/lathe walls.

  • 1 decade ago

    Did you use plaster plugs?!? Cos, if not, you should have! They are bigger than normal plugs and are made of metal, quite chunky and very, very strong, will hold shitloads of weight. Use a 6mm drillbit (very tight fit) or a 7mm bit (better fit).

    If you didn't use these plaster plugs then you should probably re-hang it using them however move it slightly so you're not hanging it in the exact same spot (the hole you've already bored will not be as strong as a new one).

    I.E. DO NOT just fill and re-drill the same holes!!

    Generally, for hanging a picture or something light you don't need them but if it's cabinet full of stuff then please use them.

    Hope this helps!

  • 1 decade ago

    It should hold, maybe you caught a stud. If you don't feel confidant take it down, put some paneling glue behind it, don't be stingy and re-secure it.

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