The easiest and the most convenient way to hang paintings, posters, or to fix shelves and tapestries is by using a wall stud. Wall studs are basically small wooden pieces that are inserted in the wall at the time of construction and then hidden with a layer of dry wall. As a standard practice, they are placed either on 16-inch centers or 24-inch centers. While it might be easy to use these wall studs to mount your picture frames and other things, finding the wall studs isn’t really simple as all of them are covered with dry wall. However, that doesn’t imply finding a wall stud is a herculean task. With right tools and the right technique, you can easily locate these wall studs without making innumerable holes in your walls. Read the steps given below to find out how to find wall studs.
Complexity level:Moderate
Time required:5-15 minutes
Resources required:
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Hammer
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One inch finishing nail
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Flash light
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Electronic stud finder
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Magnetic stud finder
Instructions:
1. Locating the stud using an electronic stud locator
The easiest way to locate a stud is by using an electronic stud locator.
- Move the electronic stud finder slowly along the length of the wall. The sensor in the device measures the relative density of the wall by monitoring its dielectric constant. As soon as the stud finder gauges a change in the wall density (which could be due to presence of a stud), it notifies the user.
2. Using a magnetic stud finder
The mechanism behind the working of a magnetic stud finder is very simple, it just tracks metallic pieces like nails, and if they are present, then indicate them to the user. However, this method is not very effective.
3. Recognizing the sound from the wall
This method must be employed when you are devoid of any special tools.
- Simply tap on the wall. Presence of a stud will result in a solid sound, otherwise a hollow sound.
The only prerequisite for this method is sharp ears that can detect the difference between the quality of the two sounds.
4. Using a flash light
Light is another factor, which can help locating wall studs.
- Just hold a flash light along the wall on a flat angle and carefully observe the point where two pieces of dry wall meet.
Below this joint, a wall stud is present.
5. Confirming the stud and locating the next one
The presence of a wall stud can be confirmed by piercing a nail at the spot where you think the wall stud is present. The presence of the stud is indicated by the easy insertion of the nail into the wall. Once you have located a wall stud, then you won’t face any difficulty locating others; because conventionally wall studs are placed at 16-inch centers or 24-inch centers, which automatically gives the location of the other wall stud with respect to the one which had been found.
Frequently asked questions:
1. How to find a wall stud using electrical outlets?
You can physically find a wall stud without using an electronic stud finder by finding an electrical outlet and measuring 16 inches
from its center. In most construction standards, outlets are placed on either of the sides of the stud. So when you find an electrical outlet on the wall, it is likely that you have a wall stud around it. You can then use a power drill to drill a small portion into the wall right above the base board where you think the wood wall stud is present. If you get into wood, you have found it right.
2. How to use an electronic shaver to find a wall stud?
You can locate a wooden wall stud using an electronic shaver too, by simply running it along the length of the wall. Apparently, the electronic shaver will sound louder with its vibrations becoming more prominent when over a wall cavity and will be less loud when directly over a wall stud. By gauging these vibrations, you will be able to locate a wall stud. Once, you find a wall stud, it is very simple to find the next one by measuring 16 inches or 24 inches from its center as wall studs are generally fixed at standard distances.
Quick tips:
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An electronic stud finder is perhaps the most accurate tool to help you find studs. They are easily available in hardware stores and home improvement stores and are not expensive either.
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To confirm if you have found a stud, drill a small portion of the wall and insert a stiff wire bent at 90 degree angle. If a wall stud is in there, the wire will bump into it.
Things to watch out for:
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Be cautious while drilling.
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Avoid making holes, unless you are considerably sure to have found the wall stud. Drilling too many holes will make wall repairing expensive.
