HOW TO LOCATE CABLES AND PIPES BEHIND WALLS – We all like to put up shelves, or hang pictures and mirrors on our walls but in order to do so safely you need to know where any water pipes, wiring cables and studs are located.
Technology has come a long way and it’s now possible to buy a Multipurpose Detector that can detect all of these things hidden behind a wall. In this guide we’ll give you some practical advice on locating things hidden behind your walls.
Step 1
You can buy individual detectors that have a specific purpose, such as a cable detector that is capable of locating wiring and pipes. You can also buy a separate device for locating stud work in plasterboard walls. However, to save your toolbox getting cluttered it is possible to buy a Multipurpose Detector. Take a trip to your local DIY Store or Shop Online and you will find a selection. Just remember, whatever you choose, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions on use.
Step 2
You can give yourself a pretty good idea where pipes, cables and studs are located by looking around the room. For example where the light switches are fitted there will be cables and where a radiator is fitted there will be water pipes. Take a look along your skirting boards and look for the nails, the chances are these are hammered into the stud work.
Step 3
You should never hang anything on a wall without first locating any possible wiring or pipes. As you are aware electricity is a killer and drilling into a live cable can cause serious injury or even death. Drilling into a water pipe is not life threatening but the damage that water can do to your home is immense and the clean-up and redecorating costs could be huge.
Acknowledgements: Video – WoodiesDIY.com
