mysterious gap at the stud

studgap

I'm trying to wall mount a tv. Finding the best suitable place, I made sure to assess the integrity of the stud behind the drywall by tapping (percussing). I noticed a hollow portion of vertical stud as seen below. I drilled a hole just to confirm it and indeed there is a structurally unusual gap approximately 17 inches. Behind the wall is a bathroom with the plumbing side, but it seems too high to route the plumbing.





So what's with the gap? Is it safe to mount a 30lbs tv on top of the gap on the stud?

Davejss

Do you have a recessed medicine cabinet in that location in the bathroom?

studgap

Hmm really good guess but it's on the perpendicular wall. The wall behind the gap is pretty much above the toilet top. There shouldn't be any wiring behind it too.

AndyGump

Who knows?
Someone may have angled the vent for the toilet through there.

Andy.

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Residential Drafter/Designer

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pwgsx

Yea, you never know what the builders did. When I hung my wall speakers, I thought i was clear bc the vent pipe was 2 feet to the right, well the builder had the pipe cut across the wall and up into the attic so they didnt have to use 3 ft of extra pipe to the roof vent. So I had a hole in the wall with a pipe right down the center.

See if you can rent one of those hand held snake cameras and take a look. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051

joecaption

Since your mounting a TV anyways why not just open up the wall so you can add a 2 X 6 backer for the bracket and run your wiring and cable behind the wall?

studgap

I got myself a stud finder... now its much more mysterious that it actually sense a stud behind it. I was able to poke something in there and its definitely hollow more than 5 inches or so.

studgap

Okay guys I finally gave up and considered the next stud. I realized my tv stand can articulate long enough so it would be hovering at that "sweet spot".

Well for the gap.. its still a mystery!

ToolSeeker

Seems like there may have been at one time a small recessed cabinet or wall niche that has been removed.