Argh cant put anything on the wall

[JamesAsus]

It seems everytime i want to put something on the wall there is something behind the plasterboard such as pipes or electrical wiring. How can i tell whats behind?

I got a stud detector and the area i want to drill has, according to the detector, wood, metal and an ac current. So basically its useless. What ever is behind is offering resistance so i dont want to drill harder.

The thing is, is that its not in line with any switches, not in line with any light fittings etc. Its in the bathroom and its the only wall i can put this cabinet onto.

 

[Shutpa]

I've just fitted a heavy bathroom mirror and faced with a similar problem, can offer what, in my opinion, could be a solution to yours. I marked out the position of the mirror on the wall and carefully cut out a 150mm square of plasterboard in the centre of the outline. I was then be able to determine what was behind it, not studs, but big blobs of no nail like stuff securing the plasterboard. Filled in the hole and used plugs in the blobs and toggles where there was only plasterboard.

 

[JamesAsus]

Hm, its a plasterboard partition wall so just 2 pieces of plasterboard backing onto one another, ive tried cutting round it its a nightmare lol

 

[gasbanni]

If its plasterboard you don't drill it. What you do is carefully mark where your holes need to be, just mark one to begin with, using a flat bladed screwdriver and hammer tap the screwdriver in to the plaster board while slowly turning it. Your not hammering it in your tapping it. Using care it should go through the plaster board without damaging anything behind it. The size of the flat bladed screwdriver need to be a little less than the plasterboard fixing your going to use.
You can waggle the screwdriver around if you need to enlarge the hole a little. Mount the object with one screw, mark another hole position using a level remove the item and carry on as already described. Easy

 

[gasbanni]

I've just fitted a heavy bathroom mirror and faced with a similar problem, can offer what, in my opinion, could be a solution to yours. I marked out the position of the mirror on the wall and carefully cut out a 150mm square of plasterboard in the centre of the outline. I was then be able to determine what was behind it, not studs, but big blobs of no nail like stuff securing the plasterboard. Filled in the hole and used plugs in the blobs and toggles where there was only plasterboard.

My dear chap stick to mathematics you're probably better at that.

 

[Shutpa]

My dear chap stick to mathematics you're probably better at that.

The only differences from your way and mine gasbanni, were that I cut a hole in the centre to see what was behind and that I didn't mark the position of the screw centres, one at a time. I was only trying to help after all.

 

[gasbanni]

My dear chap stick to mathematics you're probably better at that.

The only differences from your way and mine gasbanni, were that I cut a hole in the centre to see what was behind and that I didn't mark the position of the screw centres, one at a time. I was only trying to help after all.

Dear Bolo I wasn't been sarcastic there was absolutely no need to cut a hole in the wall, using a little judgement it's an easy task. Dot and dab is usually how plasterboards are fixed. Unless you're very very unlucky using the method I described works without hitches. If you need to drill in to the breeze behind use the tip of the screwdriver to feel if it's breeze once it's through. Very very risky just drilling straight in to plasterboard,tapping a screwdriver through gives you a feel of whats there.

 

[Himaginn]

The OP wanted advice on deducing what was behind the plaster board, e.g cables, pipes, studs etc. He's already said it's a stud wall.
He wasn't asking for advice on hanging stuff on the wall.
It could be metal studs that he's encountering. It could be pipes. He wants help in finding out what it is.

 

[Shutpa]

I've just fitted a heavy bathroom mirror and faced with a similar problem, can offer what, in my opinion, could be a solution to yours.

I also wondered what the obstruction behind my plasterboard was.

The only differences from your way and mine gasbanni, were that I cut a hole in the centre to see what was behind and that I didn't mark the position of the screw centres, one at a time.

I broke the surface at each centre with a bradawl, then used a hand held drill bit to turn my way through.

Very very risky just drilling straight in to plasterboard

Did the OP do that? I certainly didn't.

The thought that you were being sarcastic didn't cross my mind gasbanni.

 

[LastMagicBean]

He wasn't asking for advice on hanging stuff on the wall.

It seems everytime i want to put something on the wall there is something behind the plasterboard

Stupidity personified.

 

[Himaginn]

Stupidity personified.

What the hell is it with some people!

It seems everytime i want to put something on the wall there is something behind the plasterboard such as pipes or electrical wiring. How can i tell whats behind?

I got a stud detector and the area i want to drill has, according to the detector, wood, metal and an ac current. So basically its useless. What ever is behind is offering resistance so i dont want to drill harder.

The thing is, is that its not in line with any switches, not in line with any light fittings etc. Its in the bathroom and its the only wall i can put this cabinet onto.

Can you read his question (in bold)
Can you understand what he wants to know?
HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS BEHIND HIS PLASTER BOARD!
Talking about stupidity personified, you fit the bill precisely!

 

[LastMagicBean]

Can you understand what he wants to know?
HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS BEHIND HIS PLASTER BOARD!

Why does he.????
Because he wants to hang something on the wall.

 

[gasbanni]

I've just fitted a heavy bathroom mirror and faced with a similar problem, can offer what, in my opinion, could be a solution to yours.

I also wondered what the obstruction behind my plasterboard was.

The only differences from your way and mine gasbanni, were that I cut a hole in the centre to see what was behind and that I didn't mark the position of the screw centres, one at a time.

I broke the surface at each centre with a bradawl, then used a hand held drill bit to turn my way through.

Very very risky just drilling straight in to plasterboard

Did the OP do that? I certainly didn't.

The thought that you were being sarcastic didn't cross my mind gasbanni.

I didn't say anyone had drilled through a wall I was pointing out with a dot and dab wall it's risky. But forgive me are you not saying you used a handdrill to drill through the plaster board? If a cable had been at the back you'd have gone in to it.
Well worn screwdriver goes through plasterboard but not usually cable.
Obviously you ease off when you're nearly through.

 

[Himaginn]

Can you understand what he wants to know?
HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS BEHIND HIS PLASTER BOARD!

Why does he.????
Because he wants to hang something on the wall.

And he knows how to do that!
He doesn't need help with that!

How can i tell whats behind?

 

[Himaginn]

I didn't say anyone had drilled through a wall I was pointing out with a dot and dab wall it's risky.

Has the world gone mad and they're imagining things?

Hm, its a plasterboard partition wall so just 2 pieces of plasterboard backing onto one another, ive tried cutting round it its a nightmare lol