“Hi this is Eric with the Zircon Tip Minute.
Today we’re going to talk about how to be sure the object you found is actually a stud.
In our last video, ‘mapping a wall’ we discovered a wall can hide objects like pipes and conduit; which a stud finder will detect along with the studs.
Here are Four ways to check to see if what you found is actually a stud:
- Studs should be about 16 to 24 inches apart Center to Center. Anything in between studs, could be a pipe or a wire.
- Studs will run the height of the wall; whereas, pipes, wires and conduit can change direction.
- Studs should all be 1 ½ to 2 inches wide anything narrower might be a pipe or a wire.
- If your tool has metal scan mode turn it on and scan vertically along the object. If you get a consistent metal reading you’ve probably found a metal pipe or conduit. If you get no metal reading at all you’ve probably found a plastic pipe. If you get intermittent metal readings you’re finding the drywall nails or screws holding the wall to the stud.
Make sure to see our next tip minute ‘How to Scan Thick Walls’.”
