I need some advice about hanging my TV from the ceiling. I bought a ceiling mount but can't find a truss in my ceiling to anchor it to. My stud finder detects something at about 16" intervals, and I even found what seems like metal using a magnet, but when I drill test holes, there's nothing there. I removed the ceiling light fixture for a better look, but still no luck. Just a bit of background: my house used to be a double wide trailer that was moved onto a new foundation. Since both my dad and grandfather who did this have passed away, I can't ask them for insights. I want to know if it's generally safe to hang my setup (which weighs around 80lbs with the mount and TV together) using toggle bolts, and if so, what type should I be using? I'm unsure about what my ceiling's made from; there's drywall, but it might have old ceiling tiles behind it. Google shows a lot of different options but doesn't clarify what I should do in my situation. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
If your home is older, chances are there may not be trusses at all. If you have access to the attic, a good method is to push something up through one of your test holes and then go up into the attic to see where it lands. This way, you can find the truss directly above where you want to mount. I must warn you, though: toggle bolts can be problematic. They might hold initially, but they could pull down your ceiling eventually.
I’m not sure about double-wides, but I remember living in a single one where they really cut corners. Studs might be spaced irregularly (like 2' apart instead of 16') and the drywall could be thinner than normal. There should be a truss or joist somewhere. For those test holes, I’ve had luck using a thin wire bent into an 'L' shape to feel around for the supports. It could help you find a better spot to drill your next test hole!
Hmm interesting idea, I'll give that a shot, I happen to have a wire coat hanger handy, thanks for the suggestion!
Yeah, I was told to do exactly what you suggested originally, but the only attic access is from outside, way up high! I’m terrified of heights and there's no way I'd climb that far. My friend said he would help but he’s been too busy. Looks like I might just have to bribe him to come over! Thanks for all the input, it's really helping me understand what I should do.