I'm trying to hang an IKEA curtain rod in my new apartment, but I'm having trouble getting the screw through the exterior wall above my window. I'm not that experienced with a drill, and it feels like I'm hitting something really hard. I doubt there are any pipes or wires that close to the window—I've even heard that others in my building have managed to hang drapes without issues. Any advice on what might be going on or how I can get this up?
2 Answers
You could be up against a steel lintel or a nail plate that protects the electrical or plumbing systems. A good tip is to use a magnet over the area; if there’s metal behind there, it’ll stick. Also, feel free to use a small drill bit first—if you hear a different sound, you'll know you've hit something solid!
It sounds like you might be bumping into a metal plate that's protecting wiring in that part of the wall. If you feel resistance, it’s best to try a different spot instead of forcing it and potentially damaging something.
Thanks for the suggestion! I have a Bosch laser measure with a stud finder feature that might help. I could feel a solid backing when I knocked around, but I thought it was wood. Looks like I might be dealing with metal instead!