Decorative Shelving PROBLEM - DIY Chatroom

little help · 08-25-2009, 04:57 PM

I'm trying to hang some decorative shelving in my (rental) bathroom. I measured everything out carefully, but when I drilled the hole for the drywall anchor (I think that's what it's called), I hit metal.

I figured I'd hit a metal stud, so I tried a new location, but I hit the same thing. Now I have several holes in my bathroom wall all with metal behind them, and no way to hang up my shelf.

I'd love some thoughts on what metal structure might be behind my wall, and what I can do to hang my shelves.

Thanks!!

adpanko · 08-25-2009, 05:29 PM

Are you sure it is metal? It is possibly concrete backerboard of some kind. Maybe the bathroom previously had tile on the walls with backerboard behind it and at some point they remodeled and stripped off the tile and just put up drywall over that? So maybe you're hitting a concrete type product behind the drywall? That is the only thing I can think of. I don't know why there would be continuous metal behind the walls.

little help · 08-25-2009, 06:06 PM

It's definitely metal, and I'm also confused abut why it would be there. Any thoughts on how I might still be able to hang the shelves?

adpanko · 08-25-2009, 08:03 PM

If you're certain it is metal, you can get a metal drilling bit and use that to drill through it, then put in some heavy duty anchors. If it is just sheet metal, this shouldn't be a problem. Are you sure it is continuous metal all throughout the wall and the drywall is directly on top of it? Or are you maybe hitting a pipe running horizontally/vertically behind the wall? I guess my question is, did you make random holes all over the wall, or just a couple holes in a straight line up and/or down?

little help · 08-25-2009, 08:21 PM

That's a fair question. After the first hole, I tried a few inches directly above that. Then a few inches to the directly to the left of the original hole. Then I tried a new location for the shelf about 4" to the right of the original location at a different height. All in all, I have several attempts in a 8"x5" area on the wall. All with metal behind them.

There doesn't seem to be anything between the metal and the drywall, but I definitely appreciate your thoughts that it might be some sort of piping before I go drilling into it. The area seems a bit big, though.

RegeSullivan · 08-25-2009, 08:44 PM

You might be hitting duct work for a forced air HVAC system. If you know for sure that is what it is it would probably not be dangerous drilling and anchoring through it but I would try moving to the next stud bay if possible.

Rege

timthetoolman · 08-26-2009, 01:20 AM

This sounds kinda odd? How old is this rental unit? An 8" X 5" area of metal is not a pipe. However are you hanging this above a toilet? If the hole is in align with the center of the toilet, you are hitting the stack/venting which is in the wall. You do not want to do that! But i see the last reply most likely points out the problem.

Hmmm? Get a nice piece of lumber or a dirty 2X4 chunk if you prefer lol- length of shelf - at least 16" and screw to the studs. Screw the shelf to the lumber.....and wala you've got a shelf where you want it without drilling into that stud cavity. It will be stronger than drywall anchors

johnnyboy · 08-26-2009, 02:28 AM

I've seen old sears "kit" homes in the 40s 50s with metal studs/metal sheathing, kinda strange. Could be something like that with drywall over it? Ya never know...

Crackers · 08-26-2009, 11:41 AM

Duct, HVAC, Drain pipe etc...

Why not simply remove a piece of the drywall and look what it is?

hayewe farm · 08-27-2009, 01:04 AM

It could also be metal lath.