If you’re planning on hanging a few photos or artwork to decorate your home, you must take a few steps to keep from damaging your drywall. Without careful planning and the right tools, you could leave behind extra holes that require plastering work to cover. When you’re hanging frames on your walls, here are some pieces of advice to keep in mind.

Do:

Measure.

To prevent unnecessary holes in your drywall, use tools like a ruler or tape measure to plan out your picture layout before you begin. If you’re looking for symmetry, measure the entire wall first, then measure the size of each piece you’re hanging to calculate how much space to leave between frames.

Use picture hangers.

Hanging sets designed for pictures include angled nails that won’t damage drywall and a piece that secures it to prevent it from shifting as you hammer it. Some brands also provide adhesive pads to give your frames extra support. This will ensure you’re using hanging equipment that’ll hold the weight of your picture and won’t chip parts of your drywall.

Capture dust.

When you drill into any wall, particle dust is inevitable. To capture some of it as you work, fold a sticky note underneath the areas you’re drilling or cover your flooring with some newspaper, which will save you cleanup time later.

Don’t:

Guess.

If you want your frames to look symmetrical, carefully measure and mark the areas you’re drilling before making any punctures in the walls. For a draft of your finished product that you can perfect, mark out the corners where each frame will go with a pencil or painter’s tape.

Use any nails.

Even lightweight pictures can be too heavy for a regular nail. Not only can your frames fall and break, but they will likely take part of your drywall with them. If you must use a nail, set it in a plastic wall anchor that expands inside the wall and keeps it from shifting with the added weight.

Forget studs.

If you’re hanging heavy frames that require extra support, drill nails and screws into the studs behind your drywall instead of on its surface. Visit a hardware store to get a stud finder, then use it to locate the base of your wall structure. Studs can support heavier items without causing shifts, which protects your drywall from damage.

If picture frames chipped your drywall or plaster, call Eugene Zordan & Son’s Wall & Ceiling, LLC around Torrington, CT. With over 73 years of experience, this locally-owned and -operated business offers a range of home improvement projects, including wall installation, stucco work, and drywall repairs to ensure your home or company is always in top shape. To schedule a service, call (860) 489-5938.