Why does load distribution always trip me up?

Honestly, I get the urge to just assume nothing’s solid unless you see it, but I’ve actually had some luck trusting my stud finder - at least with plaster over lath. It’s not perfect, but sometimes the old-school methods (like tapping and listening for that dull thud) work better than expected.

- I’ve found toggles or molly bolts can surprise you with how much they hold, even if you’re not in a stud.
- Sometimes, spreading the load with a French cleat or a rail system helps, especially for heavier stuff.
- I know it’s tempting to brace for surprises, but I’ve noticed that overthinking it can slow you down. Sometimes you just have to pick a method and go for it.

Had a mirror up for years with just two heavy-duty anchors in plaster - no issues. Maybe it’s not always as unpredictable as it seems... but yeah, there’s always that one spot that crumbles for no reason.

Funny, I’ve hung a few things in old houses where I swear the wall was held together by hope and paint. Sometimes you hit a spot and it’s rock solid, other times it just crumbles like a cookie. I’ve had good luck with French cleats too - spread the weight out and you’re less likely to get that “oops, there goes the plaster” moment. Still, I never fully trust a stud finder on lath and plaster. I usually end up poking a tiny hole just to be sure. Guess it’s part science, part art, and part just crossing your fingers.

Sometimes you hit a spot and it’s rock solid, other times it just crumbles like a cookie.

It’s honestly a guessing game with old walls. I totally get the “part science, part art, and part just crossing your fingers” bit. French cleats are a lifesaver when you’re trying to avoid disaster - and they’re cheap to DIY, too. Don’t sweat it if you have to poke a few extra holes... happens to the best of us.

“part science, part art, and part just crossing your fingers”

- Couldn’t agree more - old plaster is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.
- French cleats are solid, but I’ve seen folks try to hang a 100lb mirror on two drywall anchors and wonder why it’s on the floor the next day.
- My rule: if you hit something that feels like chalk, move over an inch and try again.
- Don’t stress about a few extra holes. Patch is cheap, pride is expensive.
- Sometimes I swear studs are in witness protection... never where the stud finder says.

Sometimes I swear studs are in witness protection... never where the stud finder says.

That’s the truth - stud finders are more like “maybe” finders in old houses. Load distribution really is tricky, especially with plaster and lath. I always tell folks: if you can’t hit a stud, spread the load as wide as possible. French cleats are great, but only if you’re anchored into something solid. Drywall anchors alone just don’t cut it for heavy stuff. And yeah, don’t sweat a few extra holes - patching is way easier than rehanging a busted mirror.