Walls — Amsterdam Handyman Tips

Old plaster, soft brick and hollow partitions — and what holds in them.

• Brick or Hollow? Mounting Things on Amsterdam Walls Without Damage — Old Amsterdam apartments hide plaster, brick and hollow partitions behind the same paint. Here's how to tell them apart and pick the right anchor.
• How to Hang Anything on Amsterdam's Crumbly Walls (Without It Falling Down) — Curtain rails pulling out? Shelves sagging? Learn how to identify Amsterdam wall types, choose the right wall plugs, and safely mount TVs, shelves and curtains — even in soft pre-war walls.