Adhesive picture hooks are the best way to prevent damage when hanging a picture but pre drilling the hole will usually prevent cracks and chips from forming as well.
Hanging pictures on plaster lath walls.
Hanging things on plaster walls is easy if you have a drill and screws.
All you need to do is pre drill a hole slightly narrower than your screws then use the drill to drive a screw into the hole.
How to hang heavy things on plaster walls using a wall stud.
It s difficult to tap in a nail that is long enough to reach a stud without cracking the plaster off the lath.
If the pictures are small and equipped with a wire on the back use a small picture hook and nail.
Generally speaking it s best to hang heavy pictures on a wall stud.
Therefore it s the strongest part of the wall and the ideal place to hang pictures from.
Screws and screws with masonry anchors for heavy items are your best choice for hanging things on plaster walls without picture rail.
You may not notice the damage but as plaster comes loose from the lath it will eventually begin to sag and soon fall off the wall if the sagging continues unchecked.
Perhaps the one style wall that could present the most problems when hanging pictures is the plaster wall.
Plaster walls have a tendency to crack and crumble if you attempt to hammer a nail directly into the wall.