Hanging planters from plaster ceiling
September 26, 2021 10:09 AM Subscribe
I want to hang two 10" planters from my ceiling, which is (kind of old) plaster. I need to locate the joist, and have some thoughts about how to do that. What I'm really stuck on is what kind of screws I need: How long do they need to be to go through the plaster and into the joist securely?
As far as locating the joist goes: Stud finders don't work through this ceiling. The hangar trick might or might not work because of the insulation in the attic. I might actually be able to climb into the attic and measure where the joist is relative to the first hole I drill if I don't magically hit it right away (US house; attic probably has no floor), but I haven't gone up there yet to look. Failing that, I'm willing to drill multiple holes and patch, but if you have any better ideas I'm here for them.
But yeah, the screws. What kind of screws should I buy?
As far as locating the joist goes: Stud finders don't work through this ceiling. The hangar trick might or might not work because of the insulation in the attic. I might actually be able to climb into the attic and measure where the joist is relative to the first hole I drill if I don't magically hit it right away (US house; attic probably has no floor), but I haven't gone up there yet to look. Failing that, I'm willing to drill multiple holes and patch, but if you have any better ideas I'm here for them.
But yeah, the screws. What kind of screws should I buy?
I've see the studpop magnetic studfinder recommended for plaster walls. It finds the nails that attach the wood lathe to the studs. In an older house I would not rely on the joists/studs being perfectly evenly spaced.
Concur with jon1270 to estimate conservatively for screw depth.
posted by foodmapper at 12:50 PM on September 26, 2021
Concur with jon1270 to estimate conservatively for screw depth.
posted by foodmapper at 12:50 PM on September 26, 2021
I used a nonmagnetic stud finder for the first time a little while pack, made by Franklin
It was like magic. No idea if it works through plaster.
For making exploratory/alignment holes, you might be able to get away with sanding a bevel onto a length of steel to make the smallest and most easily patchable hole.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 2:00 PM on September 26, 2021
It was like magic. No idea if it works through plaster.
For making exploratory/alignment holes, you might be able to get away with sanding a bevel onto a length of steel to make the smallest and most easily patchable hole.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 2:00 PM on September 26, 2021
If there are magnetic nails in the lath & joists, I've had extremely good success with small neodymium magnets. You can slide the magnet around gently on the surface, and it'll stick to any nail head. Take another magnet and slide around from there, and you'll find another nail. Repeat a few times and the magnets will show you where the stud or joist is.
(eta some tiny magnets from Amazon)
posted by spacewrench at 2:56 PM on September 26, 2021
(eta some tiny magnets from Amazon)
posted by spacewrench at 2:56 PM on September 26, 2021
If you can find the joists use 3 " to 3 1/2 " wood screws.
posted by Max Power at 3:14 PM on September 26, 2021
posted by Max Power at 3:14 PM on September 26, 2021
If you're going to hit a joist - which I'd agree is essential if you're dealing with plaster - I'd get a big hook with a screw threaded end, drill a pilot hole and screw it in. A screw about two and a half inches long with a hook an inch across will support a ten inch pot without any problems.
Lath is held onto the studs with lots of little nails, and as everyone says, a magnet will find them. I haven't had good luck with electronic stud finders on plaster, though they work well on drywall.
I'd recommend you make your initial hole with a 1/16" drill bit, if you miss the joist it's easy to patch, and usually you can just ignore it. If it feels solid - you'll be able to tell - drill it out to the size of the hook between the threads. You can eyeball this by holding the hook up to a ruler in good light, and if you buy a quality hook - if you can find one - it'll say on the package.
For those who were never students living in cheap apartments, you can patch small holes with toothpaste, applied with a fingertip. I wouldn't go over 1/4" with this technique. (Painful experience.)
posted by AugustusCrunch at 6:37 PM on September 26, 2021
Lath is held onto the studs with lots of little nails, and as everyone says, a magnet will find them. I haven't had good luck with electronic stud finders on plaster, though they work well on drywall.
I'd recommend you make your initial hole with a 1/16" drill bit, if you miss the joist it's easy to patch, and usually you can just ignore it. If it feels solid - you'll be able to tell - drill it out to the size of the hook between the threads. You can eyeball this by holding the hook up to a ruler in good light, and if you buy a quality hook - if you can find one - it'll say on the package.
For those who were never students living in cheap apartments, you can patch small holes with toothpaste, applied with a fingertip. I wouldn't go over 1/4" with this technique. (Painful experience.)
posted by AugustusCrunch at 6:37 PM on September 26, 2021
Ditto with the neodymium magnets - they will also find drywall screws, so I've used them to locate studs in more modern walls where there's plywood behind the drywall.
However, they're really fiddly to hold, and they shatter when you drop them, so consider a magnetic picker-upper tool instead - that might work, and you can hold onto something while you try. Harbor Freight have one for cheap.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 11:23 PM on September 26, 2021
However, they're really fiddly to hold, and they shatter when you drop them, so consider a magnetic picker-upper tool instead - that might work, and you can hold onto something while you try. Harbor Freight have one for cheap.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 11:23 PM on September 26, 2021
Neodymium magnets with a hole in the center like a washer can have a strong thread tied around them so that 1) you don't completely drop them if using on the ceiling 2) they can also be used to find studs in plaster walls by gently dangling/swinging them on the thread. Much easier then trying to hold them in your hand as they draw themselves to the nails.
I would choose going up into the crawlspace to measure over drilling exploratory holes in a plaster ceiling. Old plaster can be quite brittle and I wouldn't want to mess with its integrity.
posted by oneirodynia at 6:10 PM on September 27, 2021
I would choose going up into the crawlspace to measure over drilling exploratory holes in a plaster ceiling. Old plaster can be quite brittle and I wouldn't want to mess with its integrity.
posted by oneirodynia at 6:10 PM on September 27, 2021
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If there’s a ceiling light fixture, find the electrical box under the insulation and measure from its center.
posted by jon1270 at 11:36 AM on September 26, 2021 [1 favorite]