How To Find Studs Behind A Stone Fireplace?

A stone fireplace is a fantastic way of creating a cozy space inside your home. However, when it comes to hanging objects like TVs, locating a stud behind the bricks can present a challenge. So how do you find studs behind a stone fireplace?

Here is how to find studs behind a stone fireplace:

  1. Locate existing studs near the fireplace.
  2. Measure from existing studs.
  3. Drill pilot holes through the stone.
  4. (Alternate Method) Use electronic or magnetic stud finders.

How To Find Studs Behind A Stone Fireplace?

Keep reading for a detailed guide on how to find studs in the walls behind your time fireplace. I will explore the most common steps that you can use to find the studs in your fireplace with relative ease and little equipment. Then, I’ll give you an alternate method to use.

* This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

1. Locate Existing Studs Near the Fireplace

The first step in quickly locating studs behind a stone fireplace is by finding where studs are elsewhere in your walls. If exposed studs are in a wall alongside the fireplace, this is a great place to start.

Alternatively, you can use electrical outlets to locate studs.

Electrical outlets are installed directly into studs in homes during construction.

It’s important that the outlet was installed during initial construction and not added afterward, as outlets may be added to drywall where there are no studs.

Switches are also installed into studs. If you can’t use features in the wall to locate a stud, you can use the edge of the wall.

Studs are in place as a frame behind walls, so they are always in place at the sides and bottom or top of your walls.

2. Measure From Existing Studs

Once you’ve figured out where other studs are in your home, it’s time to get the measuring tape out.

Using a measuring tape, measure in regular intervals across your wall until you reach your fireplace.

This will allow you to see the studs in the walls behind your stone fireplace.

Studs are placed 16″ (40.6cm) or 24″ (61cm) apart in homes.

In the US, the vast majority of studs are 16″ apart in newer homes.

However, in older homes, 24″ spacing was commonly used. As a result, you will need to figure out how far apart the studs are in your home.

Once you know the spacing between the studs in your wall, take a measuring tape and mark from the location of the nearest stud from the stud you located earlier.

Then mark another equal access from the new stud to the next. Follow this process until you reach your fireplace.

3. Drill Pilot Holes Through the Stone

After marking where you suspect the studs to be behind your fireplace, it’s time to check to make sure that your studs are there.

There are a couple of ways that you can make sure your studs are where your measuring tape tells you they should be.

The easiest way to check for a stud behind your stone fireplace is using a drill.

You may need to use a masonry drill bit to drill through the stone for the task.

Drill through the fireplace until you go through the stone.

The drill bit will then enter the stud or miss the stud and hit nothing.

If you remove the drill and there is a hole through the stone with wood or metal exposed underneath, you have located the stud behind the fireplace.

However, if the drill bit does not hit timber or stone, you likely need to measure again.

You can also use a hammer and some nails to make small holes in the walls as an alternative to using a masonry drill.

Read also: Do All Drill Bits Fit In All Drills?

4. (Alternate Method) Use Electronic or Magnetic Stud Finders

Suppose you don’t want to spend time finding studs in your wall and measuring out with a tape measure to see where your studs are.

You can use a piece of equipment called a stud finder. Stud finders locate studs behind walls, making locating studs a quick and easy job.

Stud finders are either electronic or magnetic.

Magnetic stud finders are used to find metal studs in walls, while electronic stud finders locate objects behind walls.

However, ordinary stud finders will give a poor or inaccurate reading on a stone fireplace, as the stone is a thick material.

As a result, you will need to find a stud finder with a deep scanning option to scan behind the stone in your fireplace.

Here is a popular stud finder with deep scan features on Amazon.com. Check it here! (Affiliate link)

 

Conclusion

Locating studs behind a stone fireplace can be a tricky job without the right tools and knowledge for the job.

However, you can follow these steps to figure out where the studs are in your walls:

  • Find existing studs.
  • Measure 16″ (40.6cm) from existing stud.
  • Continue measuring across until you reach the fireplace.

Alternatively, you can invest in an electronic or magnetic stud finder.

Just make sure it has a deep scanning option so you can scan through stone to find the studs behind your fireplace.

Cheer, tools owners!

Hi there! My name is Jack and I write for ToolsOwner. I have a passion for everything related to tools and DIY projects around the house. You often find me in my workshop working on new projects.