I've just moved into a new apartment and I'm trying to mount my TV, but I'm hitting a wall—literally! I've been using a magnetic stud finder and found a few spots where it indicates screws might be. But when I drill into the wall, there's nothing but drywall behind it. I've tried multiple spots, and I'm really confused about how I'm not finding any studs. Does anyone have any insights or tips on what's going wrong here?
3 Answers
If your walls are older and have plaster, that might make it tough for magnets to detect studs. One trick is to try finding an outlet and measuring from there, as they're usually attached to studs. If all else fails, investing in a digital stud finder could save you a lot of trouble in the long run. I used mine recently and found the studs in seconds—it even detects wires and pipes.
Have you checked if your walls might have metal studs instead of wood? That's pretty common in apartments. If that's the case, you might want to look into a better stud finder that's designed for both. This one has never failed me! [Link to stud finder]
It's possible that your apartment has steel studs, which can confuse a magnetic stud finder. You should definitely consider getting a more comprehensive stud finder that can detect both wood and metal. Also, look for electric outlets on the wall; the studs should be nearby since they run vertically with the wiring. Oh, and be careful about hitting anything behind the wall!
Definitely! And remember, studs can sometimes be spaced further apart, like every 24 inches, especially in newer builds. It's worth double-checking.
Those digital finders are worth it! Just make sure to calibrate it properly when you first use it.