4 Ways to Locate a Stud in the Wall

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.

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

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?

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Indianapolis Drywall Contractors
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Top-Rated and Recommended Electronic Stud Finders

It’s not until we are older, wiser, and well, financially responsible for our own homes, that finding wall studs prior to hanging décor becomes a priority. No more do we use wall tacks for pictures, or blindly bang nails into drywall. Now that we are accountable homeowners, we make sure to locate wall studs for all our wall handing and decorating needs.

Locating wall studs is not something to be nervous about. There are several effective methods for finding wall studs fast and with ease. To make the process more accurate, it is recommended to use a stud locating device. Some of the most innovative technologies in stud finding can be found online or at your local home improvement stores!

Continue reading for some top-rated electronic wall stud finders on the market, including how much they cost and where to buy them.

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Electronic stud finders come in a variety of brands, which range in price, model, size, and overall quality. It is important to read customer reviews, being careful to weed out the fake ones, in order to find a reliable and well-liked device. Some popular retailers to consider include Amazon, Lowes, Home Depot, and even your neighborhood hardware or home improvement store.

For some help, below are some top-rated and affordable electronic stud finders we recommend for you!

? Franklin® Sensors Professional Stud Finder

Average price $53 – Sold at Home Depot

? DeWalt® DW0100 Center Sensor Stud Finder

Average price $20 – Sold at Ace Hardware

? Zircon® StudSensor HD55 Stud Finder

Average price $20 – Sold at Home Depot

? Black and Decker® Self-Leveling Laser Line & Stud Finder

Average price $55 – Sold at Ace Hardware

? Bosch® Digital Multi-Scanner GMS120

Average price $65 – Sold at Amazon

Need Help With Drywall Repairs in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Call Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 to request a free estimate for drywall repair and service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer a wide range of drywall services, for both residential and commercial properties, including new construction homes, remodels, repairs, metal stud framing, ceiling grids, and of course, moulding installation. Request a free estimate, today.

Tips and Tricks for Locating Wall Studs Without a Tool

Whether you are making some minor drywall repairs, or hanging a heavy mirror overlooking the dining room table, it is necessary to know where those hidden wall studs are located. Why? Well, there are many reasons that make wall studs an imperative component in your home’s structural makeup.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about drywall studs, including some fantastic home hacks to locating them without using any equipment.

Indianapolis Drywall Repair

Indianapolis Drywall Repair 317-269-7319

What You Need to Know About Studs

The primary purpose of walls studs is to hold up drywall on interior walls, as well as, wood sheathing on exterior walls. This is good news for you, and the first trick to locating wall studs, because it means that you can always count on finding a stud at the top, bottom, or corners of walls. Furthermore, it is good to know that the average spacing used for wall studs is 16 inches on center, and seldom greater than 24 inches on center. In fact, the actual lumber dimensions of 2×4 wall studs are 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches.

Now you have some basic information about wall studs, you are ready to learn some tips and tricks for finding them without using any stud finding equipment! Here’s how:

Wainscoting and Trim

Look at the trim in the room to determine where those wall studs are hiding. Trim is generally nailed to wall studs, so you can confidently assume that a wall stud exists behind the nailed parts of crown molding, base boards, and shoe molding.

Electrical Boxes

Most of the time, electrical boxes are connected to one side of a wall stud. So if you can locate any nearby light switches or electrical outlets, you will likely find wall studs too. At least one side of a switch or outlet will be connected to a wall stud.

Windows

If your room has a window, you are really in luck. Wall studs are present on both sides of windows. You can perform a knock test to determine where the support is, or use the 16” on center measuring approach to determine where the studs are located.

Wall Corners

As mentioned, you can determine the location of wall studs by measuring from the corner of the room. If wall studs are typically 16” on center, you can use this as a basis to begin your search. Keep in mind that not all rooms are perfectly divisible by 16, so it is likely for a stud to be less than 16 inches from one corner of the room.

If You Made Some Holes in the Wall…

Contact Our Indianapolis Drywall Contractors Today!

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Call Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 for professional drywall repair in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. We provide residential and commercial drywall repair at competitive prices. Trust us for outstanding results at a competitive price! Request a free estimate, today.