Fixing light to lath and plaster ceiling

[rhysjc]

Hi all,

I’ve got a new light fitting to put in. It’s been delivered with the fixing in the photo and the instructions imply it’ll work for any type of ceiling.

I’m fairly certain this ceiling is lath and plaster as that’s what I have downstairs, but not possible for me to verify as the loft is boarded. Would this fixing work for lath and plaster? It looks like a plasterboard fixing to me so I’m not sure if it’s appropriate

 

[Murdochcat]

I would try screws directly in the ceiling for the fixing as you often go into the lathe …..

 

[rhysjc]

@Murdochcat that was my first thought too to be honest. The fitting is pretty light so I'd imagine two screws in to a lathe would be alright. If I was to try the fixing provided, would that be a problem?

 

[Lower]

No, the rawl plug in the photo is unlikely to work in lath and plaster. You really need to find laths to screw into directly.

 

[Murdochcat]

@Murdochcat that was my first thought too to be honest. The fitting is pretty light so I'd imagine two screws in to a lathe would be alright. If I was to try the fixing provided, would that be a problem?

Lathe is a far better fixing than using the device in your photo

 

[foxhole]

If you are replacing existing it will likely be secured to nearest timber above the ceiling, so you can fix to that .

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

A screw into a lath, might be all that is needed, but keep in mind there will be gaps between the laths, and so easy to miss. More certain to work, and be a much stronger fixing, is to screw into one or more of the joists, to which the laths are fixed. You might be able to spot where the joists are, by decolorisation of the paint, or by finding the row of nails, holding the lath, to the joists. You can do the latter, using a strong magnet, and/or tapping on the plaster, and listening to the hollow/not hollow sound.

 

[nero44]

It also very much depends how heavy the light fixing will be. Is it a simple structure or a large pendant with lots of metal? I recently fixed a 3kg pendant and was very uncomfortable relying in the laths to hold the lamp. I ended up sing a spring toggle to spread the load, but have also secured it to a joist.

As others suggested, attaching it to a joist would provide a secure fixing. The supplied wall plug will absolutely not work with lath and plaster.

 

[Wayners]

Normally a joist to side or pick up a lath.

Better to lift wood above. Lift floorboards

 

[rhysjc]

I think what I might do is see if I can locate a joist, and if not pick up some spring toggles and go down that route. I'm glad I was right in thinking the supplied fixings where no good in this situation.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Normally a joist to side or pick up a lath.

Lighting cables, which drop through the ceiling, from above, are normally located so they come through the ceiling at the side of a joist. A screwdriver can usually be poked through the same hole, allowing the joist to be felt for.

 

[rhysjc]

This would be a hell of a lot easier if the loft hadn’t already been boarded!