Kitchener Drywall Repair: How to Find a Stud in Your Wall

When hanging lightweight canvas prints, you might get away with just a nail in the wall to hang it, but for anything heavier, you must find a stud. Studs are vertical framing boards that serve both a structural and practical purpose: they tie the load into the home’s structure rather than the drywall. Drywall repair Kitchener can help you safely identify stud locations.

The tricky thing about hanging items from the studs is finding them. Studs are hidden underneath the drywall, so it is not a simple matter of looking at the wall or measuring specific distances. You can, however, use some straightforward tips to locate studs.

3 Tips for Finding a Stud

Some tips for locating studs are not well suited for every wall type. For example, using powerful magnets on a plaster wall likely won’t accomplish much because plaster requires a wire mesh to adhere to. That said, magnets are a decent option for standard drywall installations.

For typical construction, you can use various techniques to locate studs. The most efficient method is working with professional drywall installers and laying out specific locations before the installation. That said, for existing drywall-covered walls, you can use three techniques to help locate your home’s wall studs.

1. Tap It Out

As strange as it may seem, sound is often the best way to locate studs in a finished wall. Areas of the wall with a stud running vertically will sound solid with a higher pitch tone than hollow areas.

You can knock randomly on the wall, but it is better to take a tape measure and mark it at 12, 16, and 24 inches from a corner. The three lengths represent the most common spacings of studs.

Knock around the measurements and listen for changes in tone. Once you hear a difference, mark the wall and test the space.

2. Use a Stud Finder

Stud finders are excellent tools for locating studs through regular drywall, but they are not the most accurate devices when used on plaster walls. That said, for typical drywall construction, a stud finder can often differentiate between wood and metal studs and identify electrical wires.

A stud finder costs between $10 and $50 or more, depending on the make, model, and capabilities. Still, don’t let price convince you about capabilities. Sometimes, wall construction makes it almost impossible to use devices, at least alone. Sometimes, you will need to combine the stud finder with other techniques to narrow down possible locations.

3. Shine a Light

Many drywall installations may have minor imperfections, like slightly raised areas indicating the use of fasteners. A flashlight can help you locate these little raised areas, allowing you to discern a stud’s approximate location and center.

Take a flashlight, preferably a handheld flashlight, not a mobile phone app. Lay the body of the light against the wall, and in a dark room, turn it on so the beam stretches out across the wall. Lay your head against the wall, and look from corner to corner. Mark any areas that seem raised because they likely indicate a stud.

Drywall Contractors Kitchener

In some houses, especially newer homes, locating a stud is easy. You can purchase a stud finder and quickly and confidently mark out the locations of the vertical boards. Unfortunately, in older homes or houses with plaster finishes, the tech will not help you much.If you live in an older home and need help locating studs or hanging various decorations, or are simply interested in learning how to prep drywall for paint, contact Handyman Connection. The company works with several drywall and construction professionals who can help make your home safe and beautiful.