How to identify services behind a wall before drilling?

[kvenkate]

I'm planning to setup three flexi-storage wall strips over this laundry wall to create some shelf and hanging racks, etc. 

The main concern is the power lines and water lines behind. I have tried multiple stud finders, a magnet hung from thread and what not, to try and trace where the lines go but it has been extremely hard. 

What is the best way to approach this? My intention is even if I don't DIY this - I hope to at least learn a thing or two about possible wiring/water lines configuration in general. Thanks,

 

[EricL]

Hello @kvenkate 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about drilling into your laundry wall.

Its ok to be nervous when drilling blindly into drywall. But you can take away this nervousness by arming yourself with information. I suggest having a look at this guide - How to use a stud finder. The stud finder that was used for the guide is the Ryobi Stud Finder with AC Detection RYSF5003. It detects metal, timber and live electrical wires, plus it has auto-calibration and auto-depth scan technology that enables scans up to 38mm deep. It also has a built-in stud marker for marking out the centre of studs.

If you are looking for a stud finder with a few extra features, this is the one to add to your D.I.Y tool collection. I've had mine for a few years now and it has not let me down. By marking the position of the electrical and plumbing facilities you should be able to drill confidently into your wall. My best advice, scan more than twice! There is nothing wrong with triple checking the position of the studs and wires in your wall.

Once you've determined the position of all the items in the wall, I would still encourage you to do a test with hammer and nail just to be sure you are drilling into the correct spot. By using this method you'll also be able to tell if you have timber or steel studs.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @kvenkate 

The eternal "wish I had exray eyes" question, So many times Ive wanted to see what is behind the plaster. Like you, I havnt had a lot of luck with stud finders (I do admit the ones I have used are on the cheaper side) There are a few things I do to help me find the studs tho.

Measurements, once you have found one then it helps you find others. They are a set distance apart, 450mm is the standard. 

Lines of easy-ness yep that really helps routing cables and also pipes.  Generally the power will be in straight lines and also wont be hard up against the inside of the plaster, vertically or horizontaly. So I add caution in my mind along those lines (straight down or up for a power point is how cabling may run.

Waterpipes will generally go straight down in a vertical profile. And probarly wont be hard up against the plaster.

Also Note that power points and waterpipes may be mounted on noggins or studs to give them ridgidity. If you sketch out in a note book your blank wall and find one of the above, then you can fill in the other areas like a jigsaw puzzle.

For instance with your pic.

We know that there will be two studs at either corner of your wall. 

I suspect the power point may hang off a nogin.

The three taps will be fixed to a nogin as well. And wont be spanned across a vertical stud. (unlikely)

So Im starting to think that there may be a stud on the right of the power point and the left of the most left tap. 

Tapping the wall with a screwdriver handle will help narrow down the location as well. Id start about 500mm above the power point were I suspect the stud to be and work may way back and fourth and listen to the change in timbre of sound. There will be less things to "find" as you are above all the extra noggins) so you should be able to find the second stud to the right. Sketch it on your notepad You can confirm it is a stud/nogin by tapping a 50mm bullet head nail through the plaster, yeah it will leave a mark if its wrong but it will provide proof at least.

By a process of elimination you should be able to work out whats inside the walls

Dave