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Handyman

Exterior wall triggers metal finder

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.56 PM

Just moved into a build semi-detached house. I want to hang a few pictures and a TV bracket on one of the walls in the kitchen. This is an exterior wall so behind the plaster is the brickwork and exterior. I purchased a stud finder with life wire and metal detector. The entire wall from top to bottom left to right is triggered a metal alarm. I checked upstairs and the same side of the house also gives an alarm. Is my exterior wall covered in metal or why is this triggering the detector? How do I find where it’s safe to drill? I’m very confused. Thanks. Post-edit: I used a cheap stud finder initially but purchased a fairly decent Bosch one and both devices agree in that they detect metal throughout the entire wall (5m length approx.)

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4 Answers

Ben Airey handyman

Rating: 5 out of 5
Winchester
It could be a few reasons. Either a cheap stud finder, steel framing within the structure or electrical cables/pipe work. I would suggest trying another stud finder or thermal camera to make sure there are no risks when drilling
Answered8 January 2021
1

Anonymous user

Can only think may be metal foil backed insulation in the wall. Cables normally run vertically in a wall, if there’s no socket or switch near where you want to drill you should be fine. Also above radiators in newer houses can potentially have central heating small bore pipes behind the plaster board. I’ve been working in peoples houses for over 30 years and have only ever hit 1 cable that had been taped up a buried under new plaster but the 30 amp fuse had been left in and turned on ( it was a unused cooker supply so it was a Big Bang ). I have never owned our used a stud finder / detector.
Answered8 January 2021
0

Anonymous user

follow AJ GOOD advice
Answered10 January 2021
0

ALC Jobs

Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Bournemouth
There may be mesh netting behind the plaster, I have found this before on older buildings where the original render/plaster was dead, and cracks in the wall. Mesh is applied to strengthen the wall and give new plaster a key to bond too.
Answered11 January 2021
0