wall with no studs (i think its concrete)

wwolf771177 · 07-26-2011, 08:31 PM

so im trying to see if i an mount my tv above my fireplace but the stud finder doesnt find any studs...so what should i do i know its not a sheetrock its pretty hard. what bolts could i use to mount my tv. 55" 50lbs

ckone180 · 07-27-2011, 09:30 AM

There are a couple ideas. First, you really need to find out if its a concrete/brick or maybe even a metal housing. If its a concrete/brick wall, I would just use a drill and concrete anchors. Pretty simple. Or even mount a wood stud by using a ramset tool.

mobiushky · 07-28-2011, 02:00 PM

Stud finders work based on differential densities. If the surface of your wall is all the same and deep enough, you won't find any studs even if there are studs. Generally they can penetrate standard dry wall. But you may have a coating that is for all intents blocking the studfinder from sensing any density changes.

Then again, maybe you have concrete walls. If you can find a spot or feel comfortable, you could try drilling a small hole to see what is in there.

DanHD · 10-05-2011, 02:06 PM

I was just about to start a similar thread as I think I have the same problem!

saltysteve · 10-26-2011, 06:25 AM

Do you think you could have an old plaster wall?

Blackened · 01-03-2012, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltysteve

Do you think you could have an old plaster wall?

Probably what it is, there are studs back there but you won't find them with a stud finder..

sorry can't post url's with my post count

leevitalone · 01-03-2012, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckone180

There are a couple ideas. First, you really need to find out if its a concrete/brick or maybe even a metal housing. If its a concrete/brick wall, I would just use a drill and concrete anchors. Pretty simple. Or even mount a wood stud by using a ramset tool.

id you determine the wall is masonary, then get a set of tapcons at home depot or lowes. you drill out the hole and add the anchor, then mount away. the set comes witjh drill bits and anchors.

**rbinck** · 01-03-2012, 09:11 AM

Your best bet is to figure on mounting a piece of 1/2" plywood to the wall and then attach the TV mount to the plywood. You can paint the plywood to match your wall, if desired. This will allow you to cut a hole in the wall to see what is back there. If it is a plaster wall, you may be able to find some studs to attach the plywood and if masonry, then use masonry anchors to mount the plywood to the wall. Even if it is sheetrock or other material, the plywood will allow enough anchors to hold up the TV as well as spreading out the load on a larger area.

homer j · 01-04-2012, 12:13 PM

sounds like it might be cement sheet rock. it should still ahve studs behind it, just might not be able to find them with a stud finder. have to you the tap-tap method.

sawzalot · 01-05-2012, 06:23 PM

You said you are mounting above a fireplace, well what type of fireplace is it ? If it was a real one (as in not gas or an airtight ) it just might be a regular old fashioned chimney you are thinking about drilling holes into which I would avoid if that is in fact the type of fireplace you have. If you are going to mount there no matter what, try to open up a small area that could easily be patched in order to investigate the exact build style and materials at this wall area.

07-26-2011, 08:31 PM	#1
wwolf771177 GA16DE-T Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 9	wall with no studs (i think its concrete) so im trying to see if i an mount my tv above my fireplace but the stud finder doesnt find any studs...so what should i do i know its not a sheetrock its pretty hard. what bolts could i use to mount my tv. 55" 50lbs

07-27-2011, 09:30 AM	#2
ckone180 What, me? Join Date: May 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Age: 32 Posts: 1,494	There are a couple ideas. First, you really need to find out if its a concrete/brick or maybe even a metal housing. If its a concrete/brick wall, I would just use a drill and concrete anchors. Pretty simple. Or even mount a wood stud by using a ramset tool. __________________ Playstation 3 Online ID: cspldk Battlefield 3!!!

07-28-2011, 02:00 PM	#3
mobiushky More than meets the eyes! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: State of Insanity Posts: 3,579	Stud finders work based on differential densities. If the surface of your wall is all the same and deep enough, you won't find any studs even if there are studs. Generally they can penetrate standard dry wall. But you may have a coating that is for all intents blocking the studfinder from sensing any density changes. Then again, maybe you have concrete walls. If you can find a spot or feel comfortable, you could try drilling a small hole to see what is in there. __________________ DRM is roughly the equivalent of poking you in the eye, repeatedly. ---------------------------------------------------- Main Setup: Pioneer PDP-5070HD Pioneer VSX-23TXH DISH VIP722 PS3 Slim (320Gb) Logitech Harmony One remote All Klipsch speakers Bedroom Setup: Sony KDR-40XBR4 PS3 (320GB) Kids Setup: Panasonic TC-P42X2 PS3 (120Gb w/ BC) I think I have too many PS3s.

01-03-2012, 09:11 AM	#8
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 15,637	Your best bet is to figure on mounting a piece of 1/2" plywood to the wall and then attach the TV mount to the plywood. You can paint the plywood to match your wall, if desired. This will allow you to cut a hole in the wall to see what is back there. If it is a plaster wall, you may be able to find some studs to attach the plywood and if masonry, then use masonry anchors to mount the plywood to the wall. Even if it is sheetrock or other material, the plywood will allow enough anchors to hold up the TV as well as spreading out the load on a larger area. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

01-05-2012, 06:23 PM	#10
sawzalot HD Football=Euphoria Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cape May,N J Posts: 896	You said you are mounting above a fireplace, well what type of fireplace is it ? If it was a real one (as in not gas or an airtight ) it just might be a regular old fashioned chimney you are thinking about drilling holes into which I would avoid if that is in fact the type of fireplace you have. If you are going to mount there no matter what, try to open up a small area that could easily be patched in order to investigate the exact build style and materials at this wall area. __________________ PIONEER PLASMA 500M

10-05-2011, 02:06 PM	#4
DanHD My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 8	I was just about to start a similar thread as I think I have the same problem!

10-26-2011, 06:25 AM	#5
saltysteve High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 55	Do you think you could have an old plaster wall?

01-04-2012, 12:13 PM	#9
homer j How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 20	sounds like it might be cement sheet rock. it should still ahve studs behind it, just might not be able to find them with a stud finder. have to you the tap-tap method.