How to Find Studs in an Outside Wall
- 1). Run the electronic stud finder along the exterior wall slowly, watching closely for indication of a stud.
- 2). Mark the location of the studs according to the stud finder. Use two marks for each stud, one for each side of the stud.
- 3). Check the electronic stud finder's results with your own measurements. While an electronic stud finder is far superior to a magnetic stud finder, you should still verify its accuracy. Start at a corner of the wall, where it is certain there is a stud. Measure out along the wall with a tape measure, making marks on the wall at every 16- and 24-inch interval. Most walls are built with the studs spaced at either 16 or 24 inches on center.
- 4). Compare the marks made when you used the electronic stud finder with those from your measurements. Where those marks match up, you can be sure that a stud lies beneath the wall.