I was trying to install a support post for a baby gate and have run into a mystery behind my drywall. I used a Franklin Sensors M210 stud finder, and while I got a lot of false readings, I'm pretty sure there are no pipes or electrical lines in this area (and no studs either). I managed to insert drywall anchors, but when I started screwing in the 3" screws by hand, two of them encountered significant resistance. I've attached a photo where you can see a star-shaped pattern, and I can't tell if I damaged anything. When I tap on it with a screwdriver, it feels firm, almost plastic-like, and doesn't sound metallic. By the way, this is an exterior wall. Any ideas? Thanks!
3 Answers
It could just be an odd drywall screw, especially since people often use what they’ve got on hand. Sounds like you stumbled on something a previous owner did!
It might be a gas line, conduit, or even plumbing. But honestly, keep drilling to find out what it is! Could be interesting!
Looks like you may have hit the head of a Torx screw. Not sure what it’s doing there, but it's worth checking out!
There’s actually no gas or plumbing close by. Any thoughts on that star pattern I found?