“One common rule is to avoid drilling around light switches and sockets, as the electrical wires can go horizontally and vertically around these fixtures,” Williams explains. “You can also get an idea of where wires and pipes run by looking in the attic and basement to see where they go up or down through framing.”
Drilling into walls is generally safe if you've ensured no electrical wires or plumbing are in the area. Use a stud finder with live wire detection, or consult building plans to identify safe spots. Avoid drilling near outlets or switches as wires commonly run vertically or horizontally from these points.
Don't continue drilling if you believe there is a pipe in that area, as you risk leakage and damage to your home. In homes with attics, you can usually trace where some of the piping starts to know some areas to avoid drilling. Because this is not fool-proof, never drill into a wall where you suspect a pipe to be.
Drilling into walls is generally safe if you've ensured no electrical wires or plumbing are in the area. Use a stud finder with live wire detection, or consult building plans to identify safe spots. Avoid drilling near outlets or switches as wires commonly run vertically or horizontally from these points.
Measure up to the installation height of the fastener and mark the wall at that point on painters tape. If you want to confirm the presence of a stud, you can drive a small finish nail into the wall at the suspected location. If a stud is present, you should feel resistance as the nail encounters the wood.
“Electrical wires often run vertically along studs,” says Matt Daigle, founder and CEO of sustainable home improvement site Rise. “A stud finder is a convenient hand-held tool that makes locating studs hidden behind drywall a quick and easy task.”
Holes should not be drilled directly above, below, or to the side of any electrical switches or outlets. Per the 2018 International Residential Code, electrical wires should be set back no less than 1-1/4 inches from the edge of the framing lumber.
Once you think you're on point, one last way to confirm that you're into a stud is to predrill a hole through the drywall with a narrow drill bit (think: 1/16-inch sized bit). You'll be able to feel resistance if the bit hits a stud once it passes through the drywall.
Pipe finders are designed to identify where electrical cables or gas and water pipes are located inside a wall. This is especially helpful if piping isn't visible or when doing building work on a property you're unfamiliar with.
Finally, your most up front sign that you've drilled through an electrical wire will be the bang and possible flash as the wires short out.
If the wall runs parallel (they run at the same angle and so will never cross) to the floor joists above it, it is probably not a load-bearing wall. If it runs perpendicular or at a 90-degree angle to the joists there is a good chance that it is a load-bearing wall. The wall crossing the joists provides support.
Always maintain a safe distance from the outlet box and detected wires. Q: Can I drill above or below an outlet? A: Yes, but exercise caution. Electrical wires often run vertically from outlets, so it's crucial to detect and avoid them.
Using a Stud Finder
The stud finder will indicate the presence of wiring by detecting changes in density. When the stud finder detects a possible wire, mark the location on the wall and move the tool horizontally and vertically to trace the wire's path.
Studs are typically 16 inches apart from each other. There are always studs on either side of a window or door, so you can measure 16 inches from the edge to get general guidance on where the next stud is located in the room.
Check before drilling. Whether you're looking to put up some new shelves, mount a light or screw a cabinet on to the wall – before you reach for the drill, you should pick up a digital detection device. It can help you reduce the risks associated with drilling holes in your walls.
You'll likely know if you drill into a water pipe in your home. If the sound of a screw cutting into something other than wood and plaster doesn't tip you off, the leaking water will. Depending on the hole's size, the water will burble out or stream-line out.
However, if you don't have access to this, most wiring runs horizontally 6 inches or 12 inches above the receptacle, so avoid these areas. If it is possible, only drill shallow holes. Most cables will be at least an inch deep into the wall, so by avoiding deep drilling, you can be sure to avoid wires.
To check for electrical wires before drilling, use a stud finder with wire-detection capabilities or an electronic wire detector to scan the area. These tools will alert you to any live wires within the wall. Avoid drilling directly above or below outlets and switches as wiring usually runs in these areas.
If you start in a corner and measure out 16 inches and you don't find a stud, you should find one at 24 inches. You can also try holding a flashlight against a wall and looking down the wall to see if you can tell where two pieces of drywall meet. At that intersection, you'll definitely find a stud.
To verify whether or not you've found a stud without doing any damage to your wall, knock or tap the area gently with your hammer, says Rothman. If you hear a hollow or empty sound, tap a little to the left or to the right. When the sound is muffled, you'll know you've hit a stud.
If you suspect that an electric cable has been hit, it is absolutely necessary to repair it. You should immediately ensure that the power is switched off before touching anything. In the worst case, if the protective earth conductor has been damaged you otherwise run the risk of a fatal electric shock.