How To Use A Stud Finder - Bob Vila

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When hanging heavy mirrors, bracing large furniture, wall-mounting a new television, or erecting shelving, you need to start with the sturdy support of a 2×4 wall stud. Sure, nailing into drywall alone may be sufficient for hanging light wall art, but nails or screws alone, even when used with anchors, can cause the wall to crumble if weighed down too much—not like the wood studs that exist to hold up drywall. There’s too much at stake to be less than 100 percent certain of the location of the stud’s center. Why risk a kitchen shelf loaded with dishes or baking supplies crashing down at any moment because you miscalculated where to place the fasteners?

Stud finders are practically foolproof and quicker than old-school stud-finding methods like knocking on drywall, which can come in handy for lightweight hanging. For weightier projects, however, you’ll want to be sure before you drill. Read on for how to use a stud finder for a worry-free wall-hanging project.

Before You Begin

Get to know the kind of stud finder you selected. Is it a magnetic stud finder or does it read the density of the wall? Magnetic stud finders will find screws and nails behind the wall, but determining whether or not those screws and nails are centered on the stud still requires some guesswork. If your project is valuable or heavy, it’s best to use a center-finding, density-reading stud finder that will show the edges of your studs. No matter which type you pick up at the home improvement store, the method of using the stud finder doesn’t change, but the information is displayed differently.

Keep in mind that there may be electrical wiring or plumbing pipes close to or even attached to the studs in your walls. While wires should be attached to the side of the stud, it’s still a good idea to check the area. If there’s an electrical outlet or junction box in close proximity to the stud, use extra caution to make sure you’ve found dead center before drilling, as the wires are likely along the side of the stud.

Tools & Materials

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Stud finder
Tape measure

Pencil

How to Use a Stud Finder

Learning how to use a stud finder is an important skill for any homeowner. You’ll find it invaluable as you tackle a wide variety of DIY projects.

Step 1: Identify your hanging location.

Woman uses painter's tape to mark a spot on a wall. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Decide roughly where you want to hang your item. Know where the top should be and how far down from the top the mounting hardware sits. This is the height at which you want to search the wall for studs. Remove any nearby wall-mounted photos or other partly-metal objects that could interfere with readings on a magnetic stud finder and set them aside for now.

Step 2: Make sure your stud finder is powered up.

Woman puts AA batteries into a stud finder. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Make sure that your stud finder’s batteries are fresh and functioning, as weak batteries can greatly distort readings. Also, check to make sure the flat side of the stud finder, where you’ll see the contacts and usually some felt to protect the wall from scratches, is clean of debris and dust.

Step 3: Locate the stud.

Woman uses a measuring tape to measure a 12-inch span on the wall. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Studs are usually 16 inches apart at their centerpoints (sometimes 24 inches apart in really old homes), so you’ll be looking for a stud somewhere within a 2-foot span. Hold your stud finder flat against the wall, about 1 foot to the left of where you ideally want to drill.

Turn it on. Usually, this is done with buttons mounted on the sides where you grip the tool. Now press the button to calibrate the stud finder; when the tool stops flashing or beeping, then it’s ready to go. Check your manual for exactly how your stud finder is calibrated, as it varies.

Step 4: Move the stud finder.

Slowly slide the stud finder to the right, horizontally, while keeping the unit flat on the wall.

Step 5: Mark the spot where there is a stud.

When the stud finder alerts you to a stud—via a beep or flashing light, depending on the device—move the finder backwards and forwards over the last few inches you covered to find the exact spot that triggers the alert. That is the edge of the stud.

Step 6: Find dead center.

Woman uses a pencil to mark a spot on a wall located by a stud finder. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Mark the correct spot with your pencil. If you’re using a center-finding stud finder, you’ll be shown where the edges of the studs are. Mark each edge so that, when you go to drill or hammer into the stud, you’ll know where dead center is.

If you’re not using a center-finding stud finder, measure 1.5 inches to the right from the marked spot as the other edge of the stud. To be certain, you can use the stud finder again on the other side of the stud, moving from right to left, to pinpoint the other edge of the stud, then find the mark the spot in the middle of the two edges to find dead center.

Step 7: Double-check your work.

Don’t accept this alert as the end of your journey; instead, continue searching for the flanking studs 16 to 24 inches away from the initial mark following steps 3 through 6.

Even though your tool indicated that it located a stud right where you need it, a stud finder can signal false positives when there is metal piping or flashing or brackets within the wall. Make sure your alert wasn’t a false positive by also locating the studs on either side of the one on which you plan to mount the mirror, television, shelf bracket, or other heavy items.

Mark their locations upon finding them, and then measure. If, in fact, they are 16 or 24 inches apart, then you’ve found your center stud. Now you’re ready to hammer or drill as needed. Proceed carefully and precisely, and you’ll have no regrets.

Of course, if you prefer the DIY route, you can find wall studs without dedicated equipment. While not fail-safe options, these methods for how to find a wall stud without a stud finder will come in handy if you choose to forgo using a stud finder or don’t have one available.

FAQs

Q. Can your phone be used as a stud finder?

Yes, your smartphone can be used as a stud finder if you download an application designed for that purpose. Most stud finder apps use the magnetometer function built into smartphones to detect metal. Similar to a magnetic stud finder, a phone app pressed against a wall surface will alert you to areas where screws and other fasteners are situated behind drywall, mostly likely indicating stud locations.

Q. Do you want to drill into a stud?

In cases where you intend to hang a heavy object on a wall, yes, you want to drill into a wood stud. Drilling into a stud and using heavy-duty fasteners will ensure that the object is mounted securely.

Q. How do I know where the studs are in my wall?

The best way to find studs in a wall is to use a density-reading stud finder. That way, you’ll be able to spot not only stud locations but also the center of a stud, which is important when mounting heavy objects on a wall.

Q. What does it mean with stud finder beeps continuously?

One common cause of a stud finder beeping is that it needs to be recalibrated. In that case, simply try to restart your pass along the wall to get a better reading. Some stud finders can also detect voltage and will beep to alert the user of live wires behind drywall.

For more home improvement advice, consider: Solved! How High to Hang Pictures Quick Tip: Use a Painting Tool for Easier Picture Hanging How to Hang Picture Frames on a Brick Wall .

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