How to Find a Stud Without a Stud Finder: A Flower Mound Homeowner’s Guide

Wall studs are boards that are supportive frames for the walls of your home. Drywall or wood laths (for plastered walls) are attached to the edges of these wall studs. When you have heavy objects mounted to your wall, crucial steps must be taken to support the extra weight. Typically, metal fasteners, hangers, and drywall anchors are secured to existing wall studs to ensure there is enough support for load-bearing walls. These studs hold the drywall fasteners and prevent them from getting ripped out of the wall. But the question is: How to find a stud without a stud finder?

If you don't have a stud finder and are looking to support your mounted TVs, heavy frames, and other decorative items, our Flower Mound handyman has some helpful and creative approaches to locating studs in drywall. In addition to our tips and tricks, our experts at Mr. Handyman of Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Denton are able to drill into the wall studs to properly mount any heavy objects to your wall or perform drywall installation and repairs. 

Keep on reading if you would like to know how to find a stud without a stud finder, thanks to our tried-and-true methods. 

General Information About the Layout, Structure, and Distance Between Studs

Before you try some of our wall stud locating methods, it's helpful to know the general distances between studs. Wall studs are in vertical alignment because they provide extra support to the horizontal header and footer frame in the wall. 

These wall vertical studs typically run in 16-inch intervals. They run in 16-inch increments because sheets of drywall are sold in 48-inch widths, which means there needs to be proper spacing between each of these sheets of drywall to ensure they are secure and durable. 

If you were to install wall studs too far apart, such as at 24-inch intervals, you may have weak walls. Or if the stud spacing was in regular intervals of 12-inch intervals, that would be slightly excessive, making 16-inch sections just right to support the drywall panels. 

How to Find a Wall Stud Without a Stud Finder: Wall Tapping

Now that you know a bit more about the stud spacing, the easiest and most basic step in locating a wall stud is by knocking on the drywall. Depending on whether you hear a solid or a hollow sound, you can determine the space between studs.

When you tap on your drywall, it typically makes a hollow sound unless there is a wall stud anchored to that section. Gently knock or tap your wall until you hear a solid sound. When you hear a solid sound, you are likely knocking on the wall stud. From there, you can measure in 16-inch increments to locate all of the other wall studs on your wall. 

How to Find a Wall Stud Without a Stud Finder: The Dental Floss and Magnet Technique

This nifty magnet trick is a reliable technique when you have wall studs made with steel, and you can perform this task with items you already have at home!

All you need for this wall stud location test is dental floss or tape and a magnet. Attach the magnet to the floss or tape, place the magnet against the wall, and start dragging it with the floss. You will know you found the wall stud when the magnet sticks to the wall. We suggest using a powerful magnet for ultimate accuracy. Magnetic stud finders don't work for wooden studs or other drywall adhesives. If this is the case, you won't be able to locate the studs using this basic trick.  

How to Find a Wall Stud Without a Stud Finder: Inspect Light Switches and Electrical Outlets

When you're wondering how to find a wall stud without a stud finder, you can use your light and outlet switches as a frame of reference for the stud location. At least one side of the outlet will be mounted to a stud. Tap the sides of the outlet to find out which side is supported by a wall stud, and from there, measure three-fourths of an inch from this spot (to account for electrical wires) to determine where the 16-inch intervals start from the outlet. 

Windows are also secured with wall studs, so if you are having trouble with your electrical or light outlets, tap around the edges of your windows to determine where the studs are located. Afterward, you can measure out and locate the rest of the wall studs on that wall. 

How to Find a Wall Stud Without a Stud Finder: Download a Stud Finder Tool on Your Smartphone

This may not be your most accurate or reliable tool, but it is worth a try. Smartphone technology is so advanced nowadays, which has brought many stud finder apps to exist on the market. Whether they are free or a couple of dollars to purchase, this stud-finding tool works by using the magnetometer built into the smartphone.

You usually have to move your phone across the wall until you receive a beeping sound or some other indication that your phone is over the stud. It's important to keep in mind that this may bring about potential issues such as inaccurate or false readings, and it may only work with steel or metal stud materials. 

Contact Our Handyman Professionals to Detect Wall Studs When You Don't Have a Stud Finder

When all else fails, professional assistance is readily available to you in finding the exact location of your wall studs thanks to our experienced handyman team at Mr. Handyman of Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Denton. We come equipped with specialized tools, such as electronic stud finders that have an accurate reading.

With our advanced approaches, we can find accurate stud locations for any kind of wall stud, including steel studs, wooden studs, and more! On top of that, we are experts in drywall installation, hanging heavy wall-mounted objects, including mounting TVs, artwork, cabinets, and more. We can also take care of your drywall repair, replacement, or installation needs. 

Call us today to schedule service with our drywall handyman experts.