There are plenty of things we need to hang on our walls. From cabinets and mirrors, to pictures, décor, and more, our walls provide us an open canvas to exhibit our unique personalities and trend-setting tastes. However, what you are hanging is really of no concern; how you hang it is what really matters. We are talking about wall studs, of course. Whether you are hanging a mirror or a painting, your best bet is to attach it to a wall stud. Otherwise, you can risk your wall décor falling off, or worse, cracking your drywall. Not sure how to locate wall studs? No problem. The task couldn’t be simpler, so long as you have the right knowledge.
Continue reading to learn the top 4 ways you can find wall studs all on your own, as well as, what to do if your previous attempts at hanging stuff on your walls caused some drywall damage.
❶ Knuckle Taps
Your first option for located wall studs is to simply use your own fist. Using your knuckles, tap the wall a few times, and then horizontally move over every couple of inches and tap some more. The wall should emit a sound that implies hollowness when you tap, until you tap on a stud. When you tap on a stud, the sound will change to a more abrupt reverberation, letting you know there is something behind it. This option is a good method when you are not equipped with any supplies or tools, but you want to check out the wall stud assembly in the moment.
❷ Rare Earth Magnet
Metal wall studs are often used in apartments and commercial buildings. To locate them, you can use a rare earth magnet. These magnets are incredibly strong and will instantly attract to hidden nails or screws within walls when passed over them. You can purchase these types of magnets online, or at your local home improvement store. You might also be able to find them at a nature or holistic sciences store. Run the magnet horizontally along the wall until it feels like it is sticking. Once it does, you are likely on top of a metal stud.
❸ Light Switches
When working with plaster walls, it can be challenging finding wall studs because they throw off the readings of a stud finder device. In this case, you can rely on your light switches. Most often, light switch plates are installed inside the first wall stud by the nearest door frame since the box that holds all the electrical wiring needs to be connected to something sturdy. Start with one light switch and implement the tap test. You can also just remove the light switch plate and look behind the wall.
❹ Stud Finder
The most common way to locate a wall stud is to use a stud finder. This tool will electronically detect the edge or center of a wall stud. You can purchase these at any local home improvement store, hardware store, or online. They range in size, brand, quality, and more, which means they will also vary in price. Expect to pay anywhere between $15 and $45 for a quality stud finder. See our blog, “Top-Rated and Recommended Electronic Stud Finders” for some suggestions.
Got Some Drywall Damages?
Call Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 for Indianapolis drywall repair and installation service. We are experienced drywall contractors who offer a wide range of residential and commercial drywall service, including repair, replacement, installation, new home construction, metal stud framing, custom drywall texture, grid ceilings, and much more. Call 317-269-7319 to request a free estimate, today.
