Put up a noticeboard or whiteboard on a lath and plaster wall

Hang a noticeboard or whiteboard securely on a lath and plaster wall by fixing into the timber studs behind it.

NB-01Clear the wall and gather your toolsMove any furniture away from the wall and lay a dust sheet on the floor below your work area. Get your noticeboard or whiteboard, a pencil, tape measure, spirit level, stud detector, drill with a small pilot bit, and a screwdriver. Check the fixing holes or keyholes on the back of the board so you know the spacing you need to mark.

1 each · Dust sheet

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1 each · Stud detector

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1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Tape measure

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NB-02Mark the height and positionA common height is with the centre of the board about 1500mm from the floor, or lower if it's for a child. Hold the board against the wall, check it's level, and mark the top edge lightly in pencil. Measure the spacing of the fixing points on the back and mark two matching points on the wall at the same height.

1 each · Pencil

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1 roll · Masking tape

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NB-03Find the timber studs behind the lath and plasterLath and plaster walls are timber-framed: thin wooden laths are nailed horizontally across vertical studs, then covered in a lime plaster keyed through the gaps between them. You won't find metal stud framework behind lath and plaster - it's an older method that predates metal stud partitions, so timber is what you're always looking for. Run a stud detector or magnet along the wall at your marked height, tapping as you go; a dull, hollow knock means you're between studs, a solid knock with almost no give means you've found one, and studs usually sit at 400-600mm centres. If you're still not sure, drill a small 2-3mm pilot hole - timber dust confirms a stud or lath, while an empty, slightly loose hole means you're in a plaster-only gap.

1 each · Small pilot drill bit (2-3mm)

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NB-04Check for cables and pipes before you drillCables and pipes can run in unexpected places, even in an old lath and plaster wall, so don't rely on a detector alone - treat the area as if something is there and prove otherwise. Before you drill, find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns, so you can shut off the water fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt at all, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit first, and turn off the water at the stopcock before drilling into the marked points.

NB-05Mark and drill your fixing holesMark the exact fixing points on the wall, checking they're level with each other using a spirit level. For a fixing into a stud, drill a 2-3mm pilot hole through the plaster and lath into the timber, straight and level, to about 40-50mm deep. For a fixing that must land between studs, drill on a low speed to the size stated on your lath and plaster fixing's packaging - old plaster can crack or crumble, so go slowly and support it gently with your free hand as you drill.

1 set · Drill bit set

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NB-06Fit the right fixing for your wallWherever possible, fix into the timber studs - use a 40-50mm wood screw driven straight into the centre of the stud, which is the strongest fixing a lath and plaster wall can offer. If a fixing point falls between studs, don't use an ordinary wall plug, because the plaster and laths behind it can crack or crumble under load. Instead use a fixing rated for lath and plaster, such as a long self-drilling fixing or a spring toggle that spreads the load across the laths, and for anything heavier than a light board, try to reposition it so both fixings land on studs.

2 each · Wood screws, 40-50mm

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2 each · Lath and plaster fixings (spring toggle or similar)

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NB-07Lift the board onto its fixingsDrive or fit the wall fixings so a short length is left standing out from the wall, matching the keyholes or fixing points on the back of the board. Lift the board, hook the fixing points over the screw heads, and push down slightly to seat it. Check it's level with your spirit level, then give it a gentle tug at each corner to check it's secure.

1 each · Screwdriver

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NB-08Tidy up and check the finishTake down the dust sheet and vacuum up any plaster dust or debris from the floor. Wipe down the board and the wall around it. Do a final check that the board sits flush and level, and doesn't move when pressed at the corners.

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