While resting in a hotel room, I noticed small wooden discs arranged evenly on the ceiling. I thought they might be part of an old fixture, but I recognized them as a traditional fix for sagging plaster ceilings.
Before drywall, ceilings were made with lath and plaster. Thin wooden slats called lath were nailed to the frame, and wet plaster was applied. Over time, plaster dries and separates from the lath, causing sagging or chunks falling off.
You can’t just screw the plaster back up because it’s fragile. Instead, wooden discs are screwed through the plaster into the lath, spreading out pressure and pulling the plaster back without cracking it.
I used this method years ago on my old house’s ceiling. After installing the discs and painting, the ceiling stayed firm for years. It’s a simple but reliable repair.
If you see these discs in only one room, it might mean that area had worse damage or water issues. These discs are like a hidden history of the building.
Some prefer to leave the discs visible for a vintage feel, others cover them. I like seeing them—they show a practical, handmade solution.
So, if you spot these wooden discs, don’t worry—they’re a smart, old-school way to keep plaster ceilings from falling apart.
