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How to Hang on Stucco With No Damage

Choose a drill bit that's smaller than the screw you'll be using in your stucco wall.
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Hanging artwork on stucco can get tricky. Stucco often chips and splinters when you attempt to hammer a nail into it or drill into it without the proper preparation. Learning how to successfully hang your artwork on stucco will save you time, money and frustration. No need to patch those pesky chips and cracks. It's better to learn how to avoid them in the first place.

Things You'll Need:

  • Stud finder
  • Pencil
  • Low tack painter's tape
  • Small drill bit
  • Drill
  • Screw
  • Rubber mallet
  • Wall anchor

Tip

Unless the picture is small, always drill into a stud or use a wall anchor when hanging artwork.

Use a wall anchor rated for the weight of the artwork you're hanging.

Read the directions for the type of wall anchor you've chosen. Each one differs slightly, so follow your manufacturer's recommendations.

If you can't center objects on the wall because of stud placement, consider staggering shelves. Hang the shelves from the studs, then display your artwork on the shelves.

Without a Wall Anchor

Find your studs. Use a stud finder to locate the studs behind the stucco, and mark them with a small pencil mark.

Place an "X" made of low tack painter's tape over the stud where you need to install the screw for your artwork. The tape helps prevent the stucco from cracking.

Drill a small pilot hole with a small drill bit. Make sure the drill bit is smaller than the screw you'll be using to hang the artwork.

Hold the screw in your pilot hole, and drill it into the wall so it goes into the stud. Leave enough of the screw exposed so it can catch the hanger on your artwork.

With a Wall Anchor

Place an "X" made of painter's tape over the spot where you want to install your wall anchor.

Drill a pilot hole into the stucco that's smaller than the size of the wall anchor screw.

Slip the wall anchor into the pilot hole, and tap it gently with a rubber mallet so the lip of the wall anchor is snugged up against the stucco.

Insert your screw into the anchor, and screw it into place to expand it behind the stucco.

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