Drilling through walls blindly

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Author Message   parkah Citizen Username: Parkah Post Number: 10 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Friday, October 17, 2003 - 10:39 am:        Hey Gang, Any suggestions on a safe way to drill through walls without hitting an electrical conduit or steam pipe? Normally, I wouldn't be too worried, but since my house seems to have been wired like spaghetti I'm a bit concerned. Any suggestions would be appreciated.   jgberkeley Supporter Username: Jgberkeley Post Number: 3203 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Friday, October 17, 2003 - 10:53 am:        Holes how big? Before I start cutting on walls, I drill a finger size hole and look in, enlarge the hole and look up around and down. Now if I just putting in a hole for a mounting screw system, I just go for it.   parkah Citizen Username: Parkah Post Number: 11 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Friday, October 17, 2003 - 11:12 am:        Yeah... not doing any construction... just drilling pilot holes for anchor screws. I'd just rather not electrocute myself while doing it.   jgberkeley Supporter Username: Jgberkeley Post Number: 3204 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Friday, October 17, 2003 - 11:20 am:        How old is the house? Most older homes and a lot of the after market wiring is done in BX which is armored. It is pretty hard to drill into that stuff as the drill will glance off. Even Romex (the plastic covered wire) will often move when touched by a drill. Also, as you drill into the wall, pull up on the pressure as you get into the wall and as you feel the hole open to the inside of the wall, stop. Then you avoid even that fear.   peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 292 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Friday, October 17, 2003 - 12:41 pm:        ummm...I once drilled into a wall...heard a slow hissing...it was an a/c freon line... luckily it was not summer and my (then) wife didn't hold it against me (otoh -- we are now divorced)... gotta be careful! Pete   bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 3625 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Saturday, October 18, 2003 - 5:37 am:        Most of the new stud finders have a "deep probe" setting that is supposed to detect piping and wiring in the wall. If you are really concerned spend the $25 and buy one, but still be cautious as George suggests.