Hey everyone! I started drilling into the wall for a floating shelf to hold some small plushies, but I hit something hard after just 2cm and the drill started making a squeaking noise. There's only drywall dust coming out, so I can't tell what it is, but it seems metal. I'm getting a stud detector now, but I have a few questions: 1. Should I be concerned about hitting electricity, considering I'm over a meter above an outlet? 2. Can I still mount the shelf if I'm only drilling 2cm into the wall? 3. Any ideas on what I could have hit? Thanks a lot for your help! Feeling a bit anxious but glad I stopped drilling.
3 Answers
1. It's possible there's electrical, but unlikely if you weren't shocked. Just avoid drilling more than an inch deep if you're suspecting wires. 2. You really can’t mount into just drywall, and 3. You likely hit either a drywall screw or a protective plate. I’d suggest moving your installation spot up or down a couple of inches to see if there's a better place to drill.
Great job on being cautious! If it’s metal, it may be a conduit or a pipe. Since you haven't shocked yourself yet, that’s promising! But just to be sure, I'd recommend getting a professional to have a look if that’s the case. For the shelf, moving a tad left or right to find a stud is better than drilling into 2cm of drywall; it won't hold, even for light items.
First off, it's wise to stop! You might have just hit a nail head, but it could also be something important like a metal plate they use to protect pipes. Just to be safe, make sure your stud detector can pick up different metal types, including conduit. If you found metal, try to avoid that spot when hanging your shelf. A good rule is to reposition a bit to either side to get into a stud instead of just anchoring into the drywall.