67
votes
How can I get a bolt with no head out of my wall?
This is a job for vise grips. What I would do is file the bolt flat on two sides. Don't take off so much that you significantly compromise its strength - just flatten the threads. These flat sides ...
- 8,851
50
votes
Why was a screw hot after removal from a wall?
It's friction. If you hit a power wire, you'll know immediately as a circuit breaker will pop and there will be a very loud sound. Removing or installing a long screw in wood with a screwgun can ...
- 12.4k
49
votes
How do I repair a split stud in load-bearing wall
You didn’t split the stud. You’re looking at one normal stud (on the right) with another board perpendicular to it (on the left).
There’s nothing to repair except the drywall.
- 7,014
36
votes
How do I drywall when the studs are not flush?
The difference appears to be about 1/4" to 3/8". If so, I'd fur it out with some 1/4" plywood strips or some 3/8" lath strips.
- 83.7k
36
votes
Do studs in wooden buildings eventually get replaced as they lose their structural capacity?
No.
Wood frame construction is generally done for rigidity not strength. You can climb a tree and have the branches deflect significantly before they break - the strength is fine - if you build a ...
- 14.3k
32
votes
Can I mount a TV stand on drywall on only one stud?
Technically might work. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Mount a piece of plywood on the wall, screwed into 2 studs. Mount stand to plywood. Done.
If you paint the plywood to match the wall (doesn't need to be ...
29
votes
Accepted
Mounted tv too high, OK to use same studs to remount?
Absolutely no problem.
The screws (actually called "lag bolts") bite into the wood immediately around them, and the wood fibers around that hold the bolt in place.
Yes the holes you made already ...
- 25.9k
29
votes
Will removing shelving screws from studs damage the studs?
As long as they are normal screws and you unscrew them they won't compromise the studs or their integrity. If you rip the screws out (with a hammer for example) that could compromise the studs.
If ...
- 844
29
votes
How can I mount a TV tight to the wall with steel studs?
If the TV will be on a pivot arm the answer is absolutely not. If it will be tight to the wall, as you say, and generally nobody will be physically handling the TV (tilting or moving, e.g. to plug in ...
- 43.5k
28
votes
How do I figure out what size drill bit I need to hang some ceiling hooks?
Here is a DIY method to determine the pre-drill size.
Hold the screw and find a drill bit and hold it over the screw (parallel) that visually covers just the body (the inner part) of the screw.
You ...
- 18.8k
26
votes
How can I get a bolt with no head out of my wall?
Say you try one of the other proposed approaches in the other answers and the screw is just stubborn and more of the shaft keeps snapping off...
Consider that you might not need to remove the screw at ...
- 5,337
26
votes
What could be in the stud in my wall?
If you are going into studs, you do not want to use those expanding anchors. You just use regular wood screws. The anchors are only needed if you aren't using studs and putting it into just drywall. ...
- 5,679
25
votes
Accepted
I think my electrician compromised a loadbearing stud
That is a little rough. It's not a problem.
Any stud is part of a system, which includes many other studs, wall plates, wall sheathing, the roof structure, etc. You could take just about any common ...
- 144k
23
votes
Multiple holes in exterior wall studs for electrical wiring
Looks like a standard install.
You can only run so many wires in a hole without de-rating the circuit capacity.
The holes are set back at least 3/4" from the stud surface, add 1/2" for drywall and ...
- 14.3k
23
votes
Accepted
What is the purpose of this joint in my wall stud?
Those are called "finger jointed studs". These joints are weaker than regular 2x4 or 2x6. I do a lot of woodworking and when gluing boards together (for like a table top) the glue joints ...
- 23.2k
23
votes
Accepted
Is straight lumber a thing of the past?
I've worked through hundreds of units of framing lumber over the last 30 years, and the difference between big box lumber and "lumber yard" lumber is insubstantial, on average*. In fact, it'...
- 144k
22
votes
What do I need for a wall shelf that will support an aquarium?
Another thought you may not have considered - theres a door there that opens toward the shelf.
Please fit a permanent floor-mounted doorstop so it can never ever swing open and hit the shelf. The ...
- 11.2k
22
votes
Will removing shelving screws from studs damage the studs?
I think your husband just wants the shoe bins to remain where they are and doesn't want to buy new ones.. LOL. Removing the screws will not damage the studs even if they were load bearing. Patch the ...
- 83.7k
22
votes
Is straight lumber a thing of the past?
You can find “straight grain” lumber, but most people don’t know how to order it and most “yards” (Home Depot, etc.) won’t order a small amount (half units, etc.).
Lumber is divided into three “Grades”...
- 23.4k
21
votes
What do I need for a wall shelf that will support an aquarium?
Those brackets are barely adequate for your purpose. They may flex and even collapse under that load. At best you'll probably have a sloping shelf.
You need heavy brackets with diagonal bracing, ...
- 144k
21
votes
How can I mount a TV tight to the wall with steel studs?
There's a few things in here so let's cover them one at a time
Can I support a TV mount with only drywall?
If we're talking a modern TV (i.e. a 2015+ 4k TV) then yes. I recently had my living room TV ...
- 25.7k
20
votes
Accepted
How can I get a bolt with no head out of my wall?
I would just clamp my drill's chuck on that puppy and spin it out.
- 144k
19
votes
Hang 20lb projector screen on Hardieplank
Mount a board on the wall and then mount the screen on the board.
Get an 8 foot cedar or pressure treated 2x6, you can then use timber screws to mount it to the wall insuring you hit the studs. You ...
- 13.7k
19
votes
Can studs be 2-4 inches apart?
Yes. They can be however far apart the builder wants them. I have used 3-4 studs within 16" when doing bathrooms, high traffic corner, in bathrooms for showers... and have installed an extra ...
- 49.8k
18
votes
Accepted
What are these horizontal boards screwed to my garage wall studs?
No reason they have to be there. They were likely added for some sort of shelving or mount. Technically they do add some structural integrity as the framing of a house is quite flimsy without ...
- 584
17
votes
Accepted
What's the difference between "Framing Lumber" and "Framing Studs"?
Studs are cut to length at the mill so you can build your 8’ walls without cutting the ends off the top and bottom plates with studs make a quick tilt up wall, the rest is true 8’ 10’ 12’ . Note if ...
- 103k
17
votes
What could be in the stud in my wall?
You probably hit a stud guard. They are designed to protect wires and pipes that are embedded in the stud. Depending on the length of the guard, you can move up or down to avoid it.
https://www.lowes....
- 1,164
17
votes
How do I repair a split stud in load-bearing wall
Should I put in several braces or do I need to remove the drywall and completey replace the stud?
I'd say none of the above.
You're looking at 2 individual pieces of lumber, you didn't split anything....
- 16.8k
16
votes
How can I mount a TV tight to the wall with steel studs?
Metal studs?
Welcome to the world of the "self-drilling sheet metal screw"
Image from "Albanycountyfasteners.com" never heard of them, not associated in any way.
You don't need ...
- 223k
15
votes
Accepted
What is this orange yellow substance on my wooden studs inside walls?
You are looking at tree sap. It's harmless. It's dried out so if it's gonna cause you to lose sleep at night, just scrape it off with a chisel.
- 83.7k
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