It is nearly impossible to avoid dealing with behind drywall, studs and framing while performing any type of home remodelling project.
It might have to do with significant renovations, such as knocking down walls or adding on.
Nonetheless, it can also apply to simple improvements like putting up a picture or placing a towel rack in the bathroom.
Your job will run more smoothly and look better if you know what is beneath that drywall and basic understanding of stud and framing measures.
What is behind Drywall?
The majority of residential walls are made of the stiff gypsum-based board known as “drywall.”
The typical thickness of drywall is 1/2 inch also known as wallboard, it is fastened directly to the wall studs using screws or nails.
Any of the following could be observed if you could look behind the drywall or had it removed:
Insulation:
The typical materials used for exterior wall insulation are fibreglass, cellulose, mineral wool, or foam.
There might not be insulation behind the drywall on the exterior walls of older homes.
Ordinarily, insulation is absent from inside walls, but it occasionally appears there as a soundproofing measure.
Drainage Pipes:
Behind walls are plumbing pipes made of PEX, copper, or galvanized steel that is primarily used in bathrooms and kitchens.
More often pipes will run vertically through walls.
A typical illustration would be a blue and red PEX pipe rising vertically from the basement’s water heater and main water supply.
Door and Window Headers:
The horizontal components that span the top of doors, windows, and entranceways are called headers.
Headers are crucial because they bear the weight that would typically have been sustained in that area by vertical studs.
Headers are important since they provide you with air and light, among other things.
The window’s size increases with the width of the header above it.
As a result, you get more air and light.
Additionally, a solid header over the door between the kitchen and living room can help connect the two spaces inside the home.
Wires:
Electrical cables are frequently concealed beneath drywall, either by running vertically up the sides of studs or by being stapled horizontally through stud holes.
The average height of outlet cables is 12 inches.
Electric cables should be visible around that region because light switches are only about 48 inches high.
Only electrical wires that are grouped as either metal- or plastic-sheathed cables should be visible.
Most electrical codes prohibit loose wires.
However, you can come across unsecured wires known as knob-and-tube wiring in some older homes.
Other Possible Features:
Fire blocks:
You may come across short horizontal stud pieces that act as fire blocks, slowing the movement of fire.
Insects:
Cobwebs and spiders can form on even the most secure wall.
Dead rodents:
Rats and mice can occasionally perish inside a wall and stay there until they are discovered during a remodelling effort.
Debris:
Sometimes contractors allow building materials to fall into wall wells.
Sharp screws and nails:
There is a strong probability that you will come across several screws or nails that did not strike the studs if the wall on the opposite side is drywall.
Plaster keys:
If the plaster wall on the opposite side is constructed of metal or wood lath, the plaster will have been forced through to form the requisite knobs known as keys.
FAQ- What is Behind Drywall:
Q1. What risks are there when installing drywall?
Drywall installation can result in overexertion injuries, due to the weight and mass of the drywall sheets.
Strains, sprains, and tears are examples of injuries, which can be minor or severe.
Q2. How far behind the drywall are studs located?
Your home’s frame is supported by studs, which are vertical 2 by 4-inch beams.
They are typically 16 or 24 inches apart, and you can find them behind your drywall.
Studs may more securely hold screws than wall materials like drywall because they are built of solid, strong wood or metal.
Q3. Why is metal hidden beneath drywall?
Drilling is prevented by metal plates installed in the walls.
Therefore, your wall conceals certain useful elements, such as pipes, electrical wires, and ductwork.
When drilling through a wall, it would be detrimental to hit any of these objects.
Conclusion:
You might not be aware of the behind drywall concealed behind the walls of your home unless you have ever had a custom-made home built or have worked directly in the building industry.
But understanding how those systems operate can assist you in making wise, cost-effective choices when you are building or renovating.
