How to find studs on pop corn ceiling ?

flamenco-t · 09/25/2007, 10:32 AM

I am trying to find a stud on my ceiling. Unfortunately stud finder did not work with the pop corn texture.

I do not have any access to the attic.

Any other ideas ?

stan

flyyyguy · 09/25/2007, 11:03 AM

You could coat the floor with plastic, bring in the garden hose and set it on mist, lightly mist the entire ceiling...wait 15 minutes......., mist it again...wait 15 minutes......mist it again...then take a big scraper and be done with that crap once and for all.

Then your studfinder will work fine.

SCR · 09/25/2007, 11:26 AM

Use a small finish nail and a hammer to hammer the nail in the drywall. Start were you want it and work your way out in either direction till you find a truss. If you don't know which way the trusses are running you may have to go outside and look at the roof to see.
Another way would be to use a magnet and locate the nails or screws in the drywall. Most trusses are on 24" centers.

ckoral · 09/25/2007, 12:03 PM

I use a strong magnet to locate the screw heads that the drywall was hung with. It works better than a stud finder. Often times a stud finder does not work due to paint types and thickness. Once you have a magnet you can measure or you can just find another screw on that same row.

Good Luck

flamenco-t · 09/25/2007, 12:14 PM

Thanks guys...I'll try the magnet method if not, I just come up with an idea of using a coat hanger and poke a hole in the ceiling until I find the stud(s).

thanks

musty baby · 09/25/2007, 01:40 PM

You can always knock on it and see where it sounds more solid. I realize your knuckles will hate you, but it might save you a lot of time. It can give a really good head start on finding your ceiling joists.

ooba · 09/25/2007, 02:20 PM

oh, do i feel for you. last week i installed a set of hangers for my light system, with a lathe-and-plaster ceiling coated in popcorn. i coudnt for the life of me or my studfinder get a definite location...i ended up doing what someone suggested above, tappin a nail in till i found a joist, then measuring 16" and 24" over and doing the same. took a while.

H20ENG · 09/25/2007, 07:41 PM

Hold a thin piece of cardboard (cereal box) on the ceiling and your stud finder will slide right across it

No holes needed. Ever tried to spackle a hole in popcorned ceiling???

flamenco-t · 09/25/2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by H20ENG
Hold a thin piece of cardboard (cereal box) on the ceiling and your stud finder will slide right across it
No holes needed. Ever tried to spackle a hole in popcorned ceiling???

I may try that...

great idea..

stan

davy182 · 09/26/2007, 09:26 PM

white toothpaste is great for spackling the holes

MikePowell · 09/27/2007, 08:41 AM

get some blueprints of your house and that will give you a better idea on where to search for you studs. i would personally use the small nails it is easy to just patch up a small hole.

MikePowell · 09/27/2007, 08:41 AM

get some blueprints of your house and that will give you a better idea on where to search for you studs. i would personally use the small nails it is easy to just patch up a small hole.

Giovanni · 09/27/2007, 11:09 AM

H20ENG has it. I do this all the time. Even construction paper will work fine. Once you find one stud the rest are easy.

H20ENG · 09/27/2007, 05:35 PM

Depending on your studfinder, you may have to set it on the "deep" setting, since you will be up to an inch away depending on drywall and popcorn thickness.
I would only patch holes with toothpaste if I was in prison cutting my way out

09/25/2007, 10:32 AM	#1
flamenco-t Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas-Ft Worth, TX Posts: 131	How to find studs on pop corn ceiling ? I am trying to find a stud on my ceiling. Unfortunately stud finder did not work with the pop corn texture. I do not have any access to the attic. Any other ideas ? stan

09/25/2007, 11:03 AM	#2
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	You could coat the floor with plastic, bring in the garden hose and set it on mist, lightly mist the entire ceiling...wait 15 minutes......., mist it again...wait 15 minutes......mist it again...then take a big scraper and be done with that crap once and for all. Then your studfinder will work fine. __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

09/27/2007, 11:09 AM	#13
Giovanni AKA Flippa Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: KY Posts: 2,207 Blog Entries: 8	H20ENG has it. I do this all the time. Even construction paper will work fine. Once you find one stud the rest are easy. __________________ Giovanni Most of My Money I Spent On Whiskey, Women and Reefing, The Rest I Just Waisted! Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

09/25/2007, 11:26 AM	#3
SCR Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central, Fl Posts: 708	Use a small finish nail and a hammer to hammer the nail in the drywall. Start were you want it and work your way out in either direction till you find a truss. If you don't know which way the trusses are running you may have to go outside and look at the roof to see. Another way would be to use a magnet and locate the nails or screws in the drywall. Most trusses are on 24" centers.

09/25/2007, 12:03 PM	#4
ckoral Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 486	I use a strong magnet to locate the screw heads that the drywall was hung with. It works better than a stud finder. Often times a stud finder does not work due to paint types and thickness. Once you have a magnet you can measure or you can just find another screw on that same row. Good Luck

09/25/2007, 12:14 PM	#5
flamenco-t Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas-Ft Worth, TX Posts: 131	Thanks guys...I'll try the magnet method if not, I just come up with an idea of using a coat hanger and poke a hole in the ceiling until I find the stud(s). thanks

09/25/2007, 01:40 PM	#6
musty baby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: over yonder Posts: 1,751	You can always knock on it and see where it sounds more solid. I realize your knuckles will hate you, but it might save you a lot of time. It can give a really good head start on finding your ceiling joists.

09/25/2007, 02:20 PM	#7
ooba Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 79	oh, do i feel for you. last week i installed a set of hangers for my light system, with a lathe-and-plaster ceiling coated in popcorn. i coudnt for the life of me or my studfinder get a definite location...i ended up doing what someone suggested above, tappin a nail in till i found a joist, then measuring 16" and 24" over and doing the same. took a while.

09/25/2007, 07:41 PM	#8
H20ENG Pro builder/aquarist hack Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NORCAL (Vacaville, CA) Posts: 5,125	Hold a thin piece of cardboard (cereal box) on the ceiling and your stud finder will slide right across it No holes needed. Ever tried to spackle a hole in popcorned ceiling???

09/26/2007, 09:26 PM	#10
davy182 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: florida Posts: 289	white toothpaste is great for spackling the holes

09/27/2007, 08:41 AM	#11
MikePowell Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Miami,FL Posts: 1,141	get some blueprints of your house and that will give you a better idea on where to search for you studs. i would personally use the small nails it is easy to just patch up a small hole.

09/27/2007, 05:35 PM	#14
H20ENG Pro builder/aquarist hack Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NORCAL (Vacaville, CA) Posts: 5,125	Depending on your studfinder, you may have to set it on the "deep" setting, since you will be up to an inch away depending on drywall and popcorn thickness. I would only patch holes with toothpaste if I was in prison cutting my way out