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How to Locate
Cables, Pipes &
Studs
Before drilling, it is essential to know
the whereabouts of cables and pipes, as
to avoid an accident. Our guide will help
you quickly locate these items in your
wall so you can go ahead and get your
work done.
www.topline.ie
How to GuidesTopline - Home, Garden & DIY
Step 1: The Old-Fashioned Way
• The most basic method is
listening for a change in pitch
while lightly tapping the wall
with a hammer.
• Tapping the centre of an
unsupported plasterboard span
gives a very hollow sound.
• As you continue to tap your
hammer across the surface of
the plasterboard, the sound will
change to a duller, more solid
sound, indicating the presence
of a stud.
Step 2: Using a Stud-Finder
• A stud-finder uses a sensor to
locate wires or pipes behind the
plasterboard.
• Place the stud-finder on the wall
and press the activating button.
• Slowly slide it in one direction
until the indicator light glows
and there is a beeping sound.
• Most stud-finders will locate
pipes and electrical cables as
well as timber.
Step 3: Locating the Left Edge of the
Stud
• Using the method above,
slowly slide the stud-finder
across the wall from left to
right.
• When the indicator light
illuminates and the device
beeps, place a piece of
masking tape on the wall (or
mark it with a pencil), this will
show the left hand edge of the
stud.
Step 4: Locating the Right Edge of
the Stud
• Repeating the process but
sliding the stud-finder from
right to left, you will locate the
right hand edge of the hidden
baton.
Step 5: Confirming Location
• To make doubly sure you have
correctly located the timber
work within the wall, drive a
panel pin through the
plasterboard.
• You will feel the resistance of
the timber if you have
correctly found the stud.
www.topline.ie
Topline - Home, Garden & DIY
Read the full guide here: www.topline.ie/how-to-guides/how-to-locate-cables-
pipes-and-studs
©Topline 2015. All rights reserved.

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How to Locate Cables, Pipes & Studs

  • 1. How to Locate Cables, Pipes & Studs Before drilling, it is essential to know the whereabouts of cables and pipes, as to avoid an accident. Our guide will help you quickly locate these items in your wall so you can go ahead and get your work done. www.topline.ie How to GuidesTopline - Home, Garden & DIY
  • 2. Step 1: The Old-Fashioned Way • The most basic method is listening for a change in pitch while lightly tapping the wall with a hammer. • Tapping the centre of an unsupported plasterboard span gives a very hollow sound. • As you continue to tap your hammer across the surface of the plasterboard, the sound will change to a duller, more solid sound, indicating the presence of a stud.
  • 3. Step 2: Using a Stud-Finder • A stud-finder uses a sensor to locate wires or pipes behind the plasterboard. • Place the stud-finder on the wall and press the activating button. • Slowly slide it in one direction until the indicator light glows and there is a beeping sound. • Most stud-finders will locate pipes and electrical cables as well as timber.
  • 4. Step 3: Locating the Left Edge of the Stud • Using the method above, slowly slide the stud-finder across the wall from left to right. • When the indicator light illuminates and the device beeps, place a piece of masking tape on the wall (or mark it with a pencil), this will show the left hand edge of the stud.
  • 5. Step 4: Locating the Right Edge of the Stud • Repeating the process but sliding the stud-finder from right to left, you will locate the right hand edge of the hidden baton.
  • 6. Step 5: Confirming Location • To make doubly sure you have correctly located the timber work within the wall, drive a panel pin through the plasterboard. • You will feel the resistance of the timber if you have correctly found the stud.
  • 7. www.topline.ie Topline - Home, Garden & DIY Read the full guide here: www.topline.ie/how-to-guides/how-to-locate-cables- pipes-and-studs ©Topline 2015. All rights reserved.