How to Find Studs Without a Stud Finder
Before you can hang a picture, mount a television or install a coat hanger, you need to find a wall stud. If you try to install one of these heavy items without anchoring them on a stud, the weight of the item may pull the mounting screws straight out of the drywall. The easiest way to locate a wall stud is to use a stud finder, but you may not have access to one. Fortunately, it is not that difficult to find most wall studs without any specialized tools. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Hold a flashlight or portable lamp a few inches away from the wall. Move to one side of the light and look closely at the surface of the wall. You may be able to spot the seams between the drywall panels. These seams usually indicate the presence of a wall stud.
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Tap the wall lightly with a hammer and listen to the sound it makes. If it is hollow, there is only air behind the drywall. If you hear a solid thud when you tap the wall, you have found a stud.
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Use the position of any previously identified studs to estimate the approximate locations of the remaining studs. Look for large pictures or electrical outlets on the wall. Tap lightly on the wall around these items with a hammer to find the nearest stud. Continue tapping in a horizontal line until you locate the next wall stud. Measure the space between the two studs. The distance between studs is usually consistent throughout the entire wall.
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Tap a small nail into the wall to test your marked stud locations before installing any heavy items. If the nail slides freely into the drywall, you have missed the stud. Perform this test near the top or bottom of the wall so the resulting hole is less obvious.
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References
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