Whether you’re hanging a picture or thinking about adding a door, finding hidden wall studs is no easy task. There is of course the method of thumping on the wall, but this is not very accurate and there is a lot of room for error. If you’re dealing with a big improvement project, you’ve got to know how to easily find hidden wall studs with a great percentage of accuracy. So, let’s get started on two easy ways to get this done.
1. Purchase a stud finder.
Even if you only use it occasionally, a stud finder will pay for itself with just one use. These can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store and are usually priced at less than $100. Today’s models use a variety of different electronic techniques to help locate hidden studs and will provide you with an exact position for any stud in any wall.
When you can’t afford to be wrong by a few inches, this is probably the best solution. They are a little expensive, but you’ll be saving money by using the proper position for hanging pictures, cutting in a door way or avoiding electrical wires. For those that are interested in DIY but don’t have a lot of experience, this is a vital piece of equipment that is well worth the money.
2. This next method is one used by a lot of people, but it does require a little bit of effort.
If you have plaster walls, you can locate studs simply by putting a nail in the wall every few inches by the baseboard. When you run into the stud, you won’t be able to just push the nail in. While this is a pretty accurate method for locating studs, not many people want to put a dozen holes in the walls while they try.
If you simply do not want to purchase a stud finder, this is an easy but destructive alternative. We do not recommend trying this technique in walls where this is electrical wiring, simply because it is all to easy to stick your nail in the wrong spot.
3. Here’s an old fashioned method that gets the job done when you’re in a pinch.
Grab a flashlight and dim the lights in the room. Now, hold the flashlight sideways on the wall, so that the beam is illuminating the entire section of wall. Look carefully in the wall for any signs that framing nails may have been used. You should be able to see some dents or depressions where this occurred.
This method is incredibly time consuming and may not be accurate. For example, the dent you think is from a framing nail may just be an old dent in the wall. When you need accuracy, the single best solution is a stud finder. You can always look for them during special sales if you’re trying to save money. However, it is money well spent, at least in this situation.
Originally posted 2008-10-06 05:21:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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Another option when purchasing a stud finder is the Bosch DMF 10 Zoom – it will indicate wooden studs as well as megnetic or non magnetic metal such as water pipes and live wires. It’s extremely easy to use with its high resolution LCD display
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