Looking for a stud? Don't stress! Even if you don't own a handy stud finder, you can still locate these elusive fasteners with ease.
Before installing a stair rail bracket, you'll have to find a stud first. Photo: Joe Provey, Home & Garden Editorial Services
When it comes to
hanging heavy items on a wall, you should aim to drive the screws into studs located in the wall's framing. These studs can hold more weight than plain drywall can, so this technique provides an important, safe and secure hold. There's one caveat: finding these elusive wall studs can be a frustrating challenge. The easiest way to locate them is to use an electronic or magnetic
stud finder. These tools will flash or beep whenever you get near a stud. Also,
wall anchors will allow you sometimes to bypass this hunting exercise all together.
If you don't own an anchor or stud finder (or the desire to ante up the cash for one), here's how to locate sly wall studs without spending a penny.
Look for clues to where hidden drywall fasteners are.
Search for slightly raised nailheads; studs usually lie directly behind these fasteners. Also, you can press on the drywall. If it gives, move a few inches away and press again. When you press and the wall doesn't give at all, you've probably located a stud. A third approach is to tap on the drywall and listen for changes in tone. A hollow sound means you're cold. A solid sound means you've most likely found a stud, or you're close to one.
Look for clues as to where a stud may be hidden, then drill a trial hole. Photo: Joe Provey, Home & Garden Editorial Services
Drill a test hole.
To ensure that you have indeed found a wall stud, create a no-cost stud finder. Cut 20 inches of a wire hanger and bend it so that there are two 5-inch legs in a 90-degree configuration.
Use linesman pliers to cut a wire hanger. Then bend a 5-inch leg at each end. Photo: Joe Provey, Home & Garden Editorial Services
Insert one end into the hole you've drilled. Grasp the other leg of the wire and turn, as if it were a doorknob. If you hit something solid, turn the finder in the other direction to see if you hit it again. If you do, it's probably a stud. Mark the spot on the coat hanger that's sticking out of the wall. Withdraw the hanger and you'll have an approximate measure of the distance between the stud and the hole.
If you hit a stud, withdraw the tool and gauge the distance of the stud from the hole. Photo: Joe Provey, Home & Garden Editorial Services
If you turn the stud finder and don't hit a stud; move six inches to either side of your test hole. Drill another hole, and try again. This time you should hit a stud, unless the studs in your home are spaced 24 inches apart instead of the standard 16 inches apart. In this case, repeat the above directions.
Mark the stud locations.
Once you locate one stud, use it to find the location of the other studs along the length of the wall. In most cases you'll find the other studs spaced in increments of
16 inches away from the center of the first stud. Finish up by patching the hole(s) and touching up with paint so that it matches the rest of the wall.
When using this method, you may end up with several holes in the wall that will need to be patched. While these are fairly easy to conceal, you can also opt to drill your trial holes in an inconspicuous spot, such as near the base molding.
SEE ALSO:
Best Wall Anchors and How to Install Them
Stud Finder: Must-Have Tools (This Old House)
Judi Roaman: We Talk Endlessly About the Next President,…
Reader comments (Page 2 of 2)
When I bought this house I found out the hard way that someone had borrowed your drilling " technique " for the kitchen cabinets . Needless to say one cabinet fell off the wall when I was putting cereal in it . Yes I caught it , ( in the forehead ) 50 holes in the wall and not one screw hit a stud .
ReplyIf you have an electric razor just run it over the wall and you will find the stud.
ReplyPlease explain. Does the sound change? Is this a joke?
I read an article that said to find a stud, run an electric razor along the wall - when the sound changes, you've found the stud. I haven't tried it yet, but thought I'd pass it along....
ReplyKeep in mind that studs can be 16 inches on center or 24 inches on center.
ReplyOn drywall lightly brush fingertips in wide sweeping horizontal strokes. Move up or down about six inches and brush horizontally again. Listen closely to sound of fingertips. As they pass over the little patch of DW mud above screw or nail head the sound will change noticeably, even through paint. Then shorten horizontal stroke to pinpoint stud. (Assuming original nail or screw is in stud!) Takes much longer to describe than to do!
ReplyTo gov111w: I hope you were kidding but just in case you weren't, here's some advice from me: Take the extra money you're ripping off from your customers and use it to take a spelling course. It's "measure", not "mesure"; and I suspect you probably can't do it any better than you can spell it. Signed: An HONEST Contractor.
ReplyTo gov111w: I hope to think you were kidding but just in case you weren't, here's some advice from me: Take the extra money you're ripping off from your customers and use it to take a spelling course; it's "measure" not "mesure". And I suspect you probably can't do it any better than you can spell it. Signed: An HONEST Contractor
ReplyLook for your electrical outlets. They are attached to a stud on one side. Remove the cover plate if you can't tell which side. Your other studs will be 16 each from that one.
ReplyOr you could drill a hole and pierce and electic wire buried in the wall, and then go ahead and start poking around with a wire...
How do I find a stud with lath and plaster walls? The house was built in 1939.
Replythere's a new type of magnetic stud finder coming out in the spring. Supposed to be able to find studs in any kind of wall. It looks interesting
http://www.studthud.com
Another stupid useless story from AOL. Spend $20.00 and buy a stud finder. The cheap ones are good enough for a do it your selfer...
Reply