Unless you’re visiting a Texas cattle farm, studs can be hard to find. This is especially true when you need to hang something heavy, such as a television or a framed piece of art. When nailing or drilling into the wall, wooden wall studs provide essential support, but because they’re hidden behind drywall, you’ll need…
A Magnetic Attraction
You won’t believe just how easy it is to find wooden studs concealed behind drywall. All you’ll need is a magnet — and yes, we’re fully aware that wood isn’t magnetic. This trick targets the screw heads that hold the studs and plaster drywall together.
You don’t need a special magnet, but it’s important to use one that’s powerful enough to find any hidden screws. These small rare earth magnets are a great choice, as their pushpin-like shape makes them easy to grip and move around. We also recommend buying a set instead of just one magnet, for a reason we’ll explain momentarily.
Putting Magnets To Work
Take a magnet and move it around the wall until you feel a magnetic pull, then leave it in place. Just like that, you’ve almost certainly found a wall stud with a screw in it. Next, take a few more magnets and place them in other magnetic areas to create a vertical line. This will give you a much clearer idea of where the entire stud runs from floor to ceiling.
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This trick serves two main purposes. First, it tells you the exact location of the wooden stud, which gives you an excellent idea of where to hang those heavier objects. Just be careful not to drill directly into the spot where the magnet was, or you risk hitting the screw. Instead, go a few centimeters above or below the spot so you drill directly into the wood.
This method also tells you where studs are located if you’re trying to avoid them. Studs can contain electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, or even gas lines, so it may be in your best interest to steer clear of drilling into them. Either way, these little magnets will provide you with valuable information for your DIY projects.
