Hanging a heavy picture or mirror requires a strong fastener through the drywall surface into a stud supporting the wall. It’s important to find the stud and use a fastener that penetrates the stud.
How do you find a stud? Understand that studs are spaced every 16 inches, also known as 16 inches on center. Find one and you can normally find the adjacent stud 16 inches away. Studs are also located on the side of electrical outlets and heating air returns in the walls. At an outlet, the center of the 1½-inch-wide stud should be ¾ inch from the edge of the box (not the edge of the cover). Nails in base moldings are also placed to penetrate studs – look for the wood putty patch over the nail hole.
Often the best way to find a stud is to use an electronic stud finder. These are inexpensive and easy to use. Place the stud finder flat on the wall, push the button and slide it along until the indicator light says it is over a stud. You may need to read the directions for your specific unit to understand how it works.
