How to Hang Paintings on Plaster Walls
- 1). Make a mark on the wall where you want to insert the nail.
- 2). Place the nail in the elbow hook, and place the tip of the nail against the wall.
- 3). Tap the nail into the wall, using a standard-size hammer. If the nail goes into the wall without resistance, hang the picture on the nail. If the nail hits a point beyond which it won't pass — the hammer bounces off the nail without depressing the nail any farther — you've hit a stud or wall lath. Do not hammer any more — it's best to proceed with a drill to prevent your plaster from cracking. Pull the nail from the wall and continue to the next step.
- 4). Insert a drill bit into your drill that is slightly less wide than the nail.
- 5). Insert the drill bit into the hole in the wall made by the nail. Try to angle the drill bit so it proceeds down the same angled path as the nail. You may need to step on a ladder for this part.
- 6). Drill a small ways into the hole so the cavity is long enough that the nail will stick out just the right amount. Remove the drill bit.
- 7). Reinsert the nail into the elbow hook and then the hole, and tap the nail and hook combo into the hole with the hammer. Hang the picture from the nail.
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