Can I find studs behind tile in the bathroom or kitchen?
Scanning through tile is problematic because the tile material is often denser than the stud behind it, and since stud finders work by scanning for dense objects, this can block the scanner. Substances which are too dense for a stud finder include marble, granite, Corian, and any other natural stone. Stud finders can often scan though ceramic tile, but it depends on the manufacturer, materials, and composition.
If you have a Zircon stud finder with DeepScan® technology (which can detect studs up to an 1 1/2" depth), you can try scanning through the tile. If your tool also has a Signal Strength indicator, you may only see one or two bars. As with any wall, mark off several studs and measure the distance between them (usually 16" from one stud center to the next) to make sure they are indeed studs. We also recommend you scan at multiple heights to confirm their location. Bathroom and kitchen walls probably contain pipes and other objects which may register as studs to a stud finder.
If your deep-scanning stud finder does not find the studs, or if you do not have one, you may also use a metal scanner to detect nail heads. The studs should have a pattern of nails going down each one, which affixes the wallboard to the stud. Look for a series of intermittent metal readings going vertically. If your metal scanner gives you a constant metal reading, you have probably found a metal pipe, not a stud. See this page for more information on scanning for studs with a metal finder.
If you are ever in doubt about the location of a stud, drill a test hole through the grout rather than the tile, as grout is easier to repair.
The more features your stud finder has, the better your chances are of finding studs behind tile. Unfortunately, no tool can guarantee that you'll find the studs. There are rare cases where bathroom walls are attached to studs with adhesive, rather than nails or screws, making the studs invisible to metal scanners. If you cannot find studs with either DeepScan® mode or Metal Scan mode, you may have to employ a professional contractor instead of trying to do it yourself.
