How to Use a Stud Finder on a Tiled Wall

Using an electronic stud finder to locate the studs in a wall is one of the easier tasks you can do -- unless the studs are behind a wall tiled in ceramic or other hard material. The density of the tiles makes it difficult to get a reading from the stud finder unless you already have some idea where the stud is. To get a hint, start with the simple fact that wall studs are set 16 inches apart -- though you don't necessarily know from which end to start.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electronic stud finder
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Drill
• Drill bit smaller than the grout lines (generally, 1/8 or 1/16 inch)

1. Starting at the end of one wall, measure inward from the corner to 16 inches. If the measurement falls on a grout line, mark it with your pencil and stop there. If the measurement falls on a tile face, then mark it and measure another 16 inches from that mark. Proceed until you land on or near a grout line.

2. Put your stud finder over the mark that's closest to a grout line. Turn on the stud finder and test for a stud, moving it slowly back and forth over the mark.

3. If the stud finder indicates there is a stud there -- even if it's a weak signal -- drill a hole through the grout line to confim that there's wood behind it. Only drill deep enough to ascertain what's behind it; stop as soon as you get past the grout. If there is wood behind it, then mark the rest of the wall in 16-inch increments from that line.

4. If the stud finder doesn't indicate any sign of a stud at the mark, or if you don't find wood behind the grout line, repeat the whole process from the other end of the wall until you figure out the layout of the studs.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear eye goggles when drilling through the grout.

References

• How to Find Studs Behind Tile.