stud finder

[AliGage]

I have to confess I've put my SDS straight through the mains cold pipe in a wall before.
It was ran in plastic off a coil so bowed as it went fown the cavity. Posh 5 bed house in a downstairs WC. just finished installing new WC and vanity along with tiling all walls in slate.
Last two holes to hang a mirror and went straight through the centre.

Mains water smacking you full on in the face whilst your also holding a 240v drill is not pleasant!

 

[Mr Tiler]

no video mate? haha

 

[Ajax123]

I use a combination of tape measure, bradawl and the old doctors percussion fingers. Did have a stud finder once but it wouldn't find the studs..... It did find the water pipe into which I tried to screw a shelf bracket in the kitchen...Which was a blittle annoying

 

[outcycling]

Yep, bradawl is a good way to go. I've hit an electrical cable once that wasn't were it should be, that gave me a little surprise :yikes:. If any doubt now after lots of checking about I try to excavate first as well, and then hope ;-)

 

[Peter]

Popping a bit of floor up helps if you have the option.

Must confess that I take pictures of bare studwork before refitting boards just incase I forget about horizontal pipes.

 

[Mr Tiler]

yeh knowing where the pipes are going up into the walls good idea mate thank you

 

[beanz]

I usually push a pozi driver through the wall.

 

[AMtek]

I use a magnet to find screw heads in studs, works for me. And yes, like everyone else I have hit pipes and cables while drilling. its just one of those things that you have to resign yourself to the fact that it will happen now and again and there isn't a lot you can do about it!

 

[Mr Tiler]

I use a magnet to find screw heads in studs, works for me. And yes, like everyone else I have hit pipes and cables while drilling. its just one of those things that you have to resign yourself to the fact that it will happen now and again and there isn't a lot you can do about it!

I suppose that's what insurance is for eh! BET CUSTOMERS ARE NOT HAPPY WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN THO LOL

 

[AMtek]

I've never had one that's taken it any other way than as an accident. If you do happen to hit a pipe don't run round like a headless chicken, calmly turn the water off and open as many taps as you can to drain the water from the pipes. If its a gravity fed system uncover the hole in the pipe as quickly and calmly as you can and put your finger over the hole until the water has drained from the tank, or if there is someone with you get them to find the gate valve on the hot water cylinder or bung the feed from the cold tank with a parsnip (that's not a joke)

 

[Ian]

I've never had one that's taken it any other way than as an accident. If you do happen to hit a pipe don't run round like a headless chicken, calmly turn the water off and open as many taps as you can to drain the water from the pipes. If its a gravity fed system uncover the hole in the pipe as quickly and calmly as you can and put your finger over the hole until the water has drained from the tank, or if there is someone with you get them to find the gate valve on the hot water cylinder or bung the feed from the cold tank with a parsnip (that's not a joke)

Do you carry a parsnip in the van, incase of emergencies?

 

[Mr Tiler]

I've never had one that's taken it any other way than as an accident. If you do happen to hit a pipe don't run round like a headless chicken, calmly turn the water off and open as many taps as you can to drain the water from the pipes. If its a gravity fed system uncover the hole in the pipe as quickly and calmly as you can and put your finger over the hole until the water has drained from the tank, or if there is someone with you get them to find the gate valve on the hot water cylinder or bung the feed from the cold tank with a parsnip (that's not a joke)

even after reading that I think with my inexperience at this moment in time I would be using the headless chicken tactic lol... but hey that's what insurance is for to buy people new houses lol thanks mate I will bare the advice in mind when the inevitable happens.

 

[beanz]

even after reading that I think with my inexperience at this moment in time I would be using the headless chicken tactic lol... but hey that's what insurance is for to buy people new houses lol thanks mate I will bare the advice in mind when the inevitable happens.

Just remember, if you screw through a pipe, DO NOT take the screw out, until you've got everything under control. If you drill through, you're out of options lol!

 

[Mr Tiler]

think I will have to start going straight into the walls with screws instead then! lol

 

[AMtek]

Do you carry a parsnip in the van, incase of emergencies?

He's a bit stupid but my labourer has slightly more intelligence than a vegetable!

have had a few strange looks from customers when I've asked if they have a parsnip I can borrow!