Hangrails

how to hang a rail on a wet plaster wall?

I need to hang a hand rail on a wet plaster wall and need to know if a stud finder will find the stud inside of it? also is there any thing special I should use to hang it? The house is old 1900's and the walls are probably a little brittle. If the walls are brittle and start to fall apart from putting the rail in what should I do? The rail is going in to help elderly grandparents get up and down the steps so I imagine ther will be alot of weight on the rail.

Public Comments

1. Yes, a stud finder is the best tool for the job. Pre-drill the holes for the screws, this will help keep the old wood from splitting. Also use brass or stainless steel bolts to prevent rusting.
2. You can find the stud with a thin nail and hammer. Go to the bottom of the wall that will be behind the baseboard and drive the nail or brad in about 2 1/4" above the floor till you find a stud. Check farther on to find the others which will be 16 or24" beyond the first. At the first stud, make three tests to determine the center of the stud; that is what you want to screw into. Determine at what height you want the rail to be. Measure for the bottom of the rail. Drop a plumb line down to the the lower stud marks, or use a level and mark faintly you first stud mark. Use a screw that will go into the stud 2 " , so a 2 1/2" or 3" screw will do. With a helper line up the rail without touching the plaster . Drill for screw #1. Start that screw in enough to hold the rail WITHOUT IT TOUCHING THE PLASTER!.. Check the rail for level. Align your plumb line with the stud indicator, mark for drilling, drill, insert screw #2 but again not all the way. It the rail is strong you can but one screw at the end and the other 3/4 of the way down the rail. Snug up your first two screws being carefull how deeply you are going to touch the plaster. Then do the rest of the mounting. With a damp, thin cloth on a puddy knife or such clean any plaster that may have got onto the rail.