picture hanging on plaster board

[alfie jones]

Hello, we need to hang pictures on plasterboard walls (which are painted)..but not sure how to go about doing it..ie what nails to use..how not to hit an electrics etc..(if thats possible?)

..any advice would be great please-just dont want to start banging nails in without being prepared 1st!

Thanks

[Fitzer]

You need to get yourself a 'stud detector' (no laughing at the back),the studs being the vertical pieces of wood that the plasterboard is attached to. These handy gadgets will also indicate electrics or pipeworks behind the plasterboard. You want to get your nails (or picture hooks) into the studs and away from everything else. If the studs are'nt where you want to hang your pictures you might have to consider putting up a picture rail across the wall attached to the studs and then hang your pictures from that. 

[Philtaz]

Failing that there are specially made plugs for plaster board, ask in any DIY store.  I got mine from B & Q.

[Fitzer]

True about the plugs, somehow I never think about screws when hanging pictures, nails seem to come more naturally. Thinking about it the plugs would be a good option as then you could hang the pictures at different heights in different places without any problem.

[dave m]

yor elecy supply cable runs usualy vertical to the socket,switches,so keep away from drivin nails in plaster board any were round,above and below sockets and switches,this is usual but dont take it as law,30mm nails work a treat

[dave m]

as philtaz says,galvanised plaster board plugs r solid and no need 2 nail in studwork