One of the most common questions I get asked a lot while installing TV’s and other heavy equipment is “how do I find a wall stud?” Honestly I just use a stud finder but there are other options when you do not have one available. Here are a few ways to help you locate a stud to hang your TV or heavy picture on your wall.

• First way to find a stud is to listen to the pitch of the knock- Knock with your knuckles several times going left and right to find where the pitch is the highest or sounds the most solid, it will most likely be a stud if it sounds firm. A hollow sound is empty wall, keep knocking more. If the wall is an exterior wall there maybe insulation and could indicate different results.

• Second way to locate a stud is by using a strong magnet- To secure drywall to the wall nails and screws are used to hold the pieces in place. Using a magnet you can find the stud by these nails or screws holding the drywall in place. Just be sure you do not drill into the screws or nails or you may damage you bits or hardware.

• Third way to find a stud is to use a nail and hammer- To avoid making several holes in your drywall be sure to use one of the above methods first to get most approximate the stud. When you think you are near a stud, hammer softly a slim nail into the drywall. If the nail goes to the end easily pull it out and move it an inch left of right and try again. When the nail is hard to hammer in the wall you have found the stud.

Tips-

Something important to know is studs are typically found 16 inches apart and most power outlet boxes are attached to a stud. Edges, corners, openings, like windows or doors, of walls are where studs are found and you can measure from these places to find a stud with a tape measure. Not all studs are 16 inches apart but most are. For best results, use a couple of these methods and I guarantee you will find the stud.