Stud Finding Question #5

Make sure the device was calibrated and correctly positioned on the wall. Always hold unit parallel to the object you are trying to locate, and move unit perpendicularly.

Electrical wiring and metal or plastic pipes may be near or touching back surface of wall. See our guide on how to minimize false positives in the Tips & Tricks section for more information on finding your target and avoiding the decoys.

You can also find a stud elsewhere in the wall and approximate from there. Studs or joists are normally spaced 16 inches (406 mm) or 24 inches (610 mm) apart and are 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) wide. Anything in between is likely something else. For your safety, always turn off power when cutting, nailing or drilling near electrical wires.