5 Ways to Find a Wall Stud Without Using a Stud Finder

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We ’ve all been there , correct ? “ Oh , I just need to find a stud to pay heed a movie . ” And 15 trap after , you ’re convinced the wall is held up by gremlin dust and a wish , because obviously there ’s no wood behind it .

Using a stud finder is one way to locate the frame hidden behind the drywall , but that does you little serious if you do n’t fall out to have one in your arsenal of tools . Stud viewfinder can also be frustrating to habituate , often failing to notice anything or delivering false positives .

Woman extends a tape measure from the corner of the room to measure the wall.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Whether you do n’t have astud finderon hand , do n’t knowhow to expend a studhorse discoverer , or only do n’t trust the thing , there are several efficient alternatives for locating a stud . Ahead , learn how to find a wall stud without one of these shaft .

What are studs, anyway?

Keeping these points in mind , read on to pick up how to find studs using several different strategies .

1. Look at the trim for where it has been nailed to a stud.

Whenbaseboard is installedit ’s tie to the studs , so look to see if you’re able to fleck where it might have been nail . These hole — pregnant chad — are generally filled with caulk and painted , but you may be capable to spot one to identify the whereabouts of a rivet . If you notice one , measure in 16 - in increase to locate scantling to each side of it .

2. Locate the electrical switches and outlets.

If baseboard do n’t offer any clue to the stud ’s whereabouts , look for light-colored switches or electric receptacle . At least one side of an electrical box must be mounted to a stud . To determine which side of the boxwood the rivet is on , use the “ knock test ” by rapping on either side of the switch or outlet . The side that returns a solid sound , versus a hollow auditory sensation , is the stud side . Next , measure about ¾ column inch away from the outlet on the rivet side and use that as a starting point to determine the 16 - inch separation of stud spacing .

Pro Tip

3. Measure 16 inches from the corner.

With scantling generally 16 in on center , you may also do calculation by measuring from a corner of the room . Now , all rooms are n’t build up in number divisible by 16 , so you are potential to have a studhorse that islessthan 16 inches from one niche .

Try the knock mental test near the quoin to see if you may determine where the little stud spacing might have been append . A hollow strait when you rap indicates that there ’s nothing behind the drywall , whereas a more solid sound would suggest that there ’s theoretical account there to have a go at it into . For the most part , this only make for if you ’re measuring a nook of the exterior of the family . But it ’s worth a gibe before you go crazy with the test golf hole , question how far aside the studs are in your walls .

4. Use a magnet to locate metal fasteners.

One of the well-situated ways to detect a stud is to habituate a attractive feature . While the magnet wo n’t help detecting the wood stud itself , it will help you locate the metal screws used to attach the drywall to the he-man .

You ca n’t just employ any ordinary magnet off the electric refrigerator , though . Since the fuck head will likely be covered by spackle , you ’ll need astrong atomic number 60 attractive feature , which is the strongest commercially available attractor you may buy .

Move the magnet lento around the surface of the rampart until you feel it pull to one of the screws . If you apply the correct magnet , it should be strong enough to stick around to the open of the rampart at the location of the screw propeller head word , making it well-situated to pit the stud ’s locating with a pencil .

how to find a wall stud

Photo: Kit Stansley

5. Refer to photos taken during previous renovations.

If you had yourhome built , you may have taken photograph of the house at dissimilar stages of its grammatical construction , including when it consist of bare framing with no dry wall . If that ’s the case , you could use these photos to give you at least a ecumenical idea of where stud are located .

Using the word picture , note where the rivet are in coition to feature that are presently visible in the way – corner , door , electrical outlet , andlight substitution . Going forward , it ’s always a good idea to take raft of icon anytime your dwelling house is undergo a overhaul that involves endanger the framing .

If all else fails, use a stud finder.

There ’s no ignominy in preserve a small stud detector in your tool boxful , and you ’re bound to find more uses for it than just to hangoneheavy shape . float shelf , privy mirrors , andflat - screen TVscan all profit from the secure clench of a stud poker .

Final Thoughts

By understanding the anatomy of a wall , you could apply one of the above techniques to locate a rivet , eliminating the demand to purchase yet another dick . These techniques can even be a helpful support for those who do own a stud finder , allow one to check the truth of the stud finder ’s readings .

Whichever strategy you utilise , go on with caution when drill holes in your bulwark . midland wall contain wiring , plumbing system lines , and gas pipes that can make personal injury or damage to your home if you chance to come to them with a drill bit . As a rule of thumb , you should be reasonably convinced of a stud ’s location before go forward with the practice .

FAQs

Yes . There are many free and paidsmartphone appsthat function as stud finders . These apps apply the phone ’s internal gaussmeter to detect the strength of the charismatic field . While these apps wo n’t detect the stud itself , they can detect the screwing go for the drywall to the studhorse .

Most wall studs are space 16 inches apart on meat ; however , they can also be spaced at 24 inches . That said , space is n’t always precise . stud can bow and twist up to 1 in in either way as a home settles .

Drywall is seize flush to the studs , so the stud ’s depth reckon on the heaviness of the wallboard . The most common dry wall for internal wall is ½ column inch deep . You may also receive thicker ⅝ in drywall , which is sometimes used for ceilings or with room that require soundproof .

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Woman points to a nail hole in baseboard trim.