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Run the magnet back and forth across the area of the stud until it catches on a fastener. For this method, use a strong, small magnet, such as a neodymium magnet. This makes finding them with a strong magnet fairly easy. These screws are driven just past the surface of the drywall, then covered in drywall mud and paint. Use Magnets to Find Fastenersĭrywall is fastened to studs using drywall screws or cupped drywall nails.

Once you've found the box, just tap on either side to determine which side the stud is on. Look for Light Switches and OutletsĪlthough it's possible, you'll be hard-pressed to find a light switch or an electrical outlet that isn't mounted directly to the side of a stud. Once you've found the stud, measure 16 inches to find the next stud, then tap to verify.

If it sounds hollow, you're moving away from a stud. If the tapping sound becomes more solid, you're approaching a stud. Start by tapping with your fingertip wherever you need to find a stud and slowly move to the right or to the left. Sometimes all it takes to find the general location of a stud is to tap the wall. How to Find Wall Studs: 9 Easy Options 1. This will not only damage your drywall (and the object that falls as a result), but the falling object also becomes a safety risk to anyone around it. Without securely fastening heavy objects into studs, the weak hold of a screw in drywall can fail, even if you've used a drywall anchor. There are a variety of reasons you might need to find a wall stud, but the most common reason is to hang something on the wall that requires the holding power of the wooden stud. Related: Hang Art on Any Wall with These Picture-Perfect Tips Why Do I Need to Find a Wall Stud?

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