is there a way to locate wall studs thru tile?
 

no way huh?

my neighbor wants grab bars in a tub enclosure she cant use because of the fall hazard to her.

grab bars. she asked me and i declined since i cant guarantee what i install bears her full weight in a fall. now if i could get them mounted into the studs.

i looked at her bathroom and it is beautifully tiled to the ceiling. me "pot-holing" looking for wood isn't gonna fly. she does have a small window in the backwall, so i could come close estimating the studs.

they would be on the outside of the window frame on both sides? or just end a the corners to support the bearing loads.?

An Infrared camera will likely show where they are. But it will take some measuring, and it is not ultra precise unless you have a high dollar infrared camera.

The camera will show the different heat from the studs and the voids or insulation.

no kidding? so infrared night vision might work? ah..forgot im in California and not near my brothers SWAT team. damn.

Stud finder doesn't work on the highest setting? I'd need to go back and double check, but I thought mine did when last I tried.

A metal detector might be able to locate nails in the studs.

not my POS. now if i could get the old lady to buy me a GREAT stud finder, i'll charge my drill now.

please let me know if it works ALAN.

is there a way to locate wall studs thru tile?
 

If you can approximate the location of the studs, depending on the size of the joints, you could probe the wall through the grout joints which would be an easy repair.

There are higher power stud finders that I thought would read through 1-1/4” but I’m not sure if that’s through tile or just drywall.

If you were able to access the back of the wall, I would prefer to open that up and install blocking rather than rely on hitting the studs.

Just googled no drill grab bars and found this.

https://www.nodrillingrequired.com/GRIPP-Series-Mounting-Hardware-p/gb00002-ndr.htm

Drill a small hole at an angle in the grout into the wall cavity. Take a small wire and push it in the wall till you hit a stud. Mark that spot on the wire, pull the wire out and extend it across the tile until the line you marked hits the hole. Now you're really close.

See if you can rent a Bosch D-tect 150 or the D-tect 120, I have used them before for concrete work and was impressed.

Wow, never heard of one of these. Found this video. So much want!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeDNVABNkFc

Pull a switch cover and see which side is nailed to a stud. 16"centers from there.

It’s always good to have switches and plugs in a tub enclosure.

Here is a possible option, just tried this, I have a couple of 2"x2" Neodyium magnets and with the mag wrapped in thin cloth I could tell where the screws going into the studs were below 1/2 marble and a layer of Kerdi.

These magnets are extremely powerful and can be dangerous.

Nickshu, Yes those D-tect units are quite good for the price.

Johns idea is simple and perfect if you have an access point along the wall.

What's on the other side of the wall? If another room, you may be able to locate and measure?

Alternatively, if it is top floor, you could perhaps locate studs by the nails in top plate in the attic.

I was able to find floor joists through 3/4 oak+5/8 plywood with one of the better 'deep-scan' stud finders. As I recall it was about $40.

Not 100% reliable, I mark positive readings with tape until I get readings 16" appart.

Good 'flir' type camera may get readings also.

As an aside, it took me way too long (and many burned out masonry and tile bits) to realize that these are the best bits for drilling tile & Porcelain: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-3-16-in-Diamond-Plus-Hole-Saw-W-Arbor-49-56-0503/204994399

that is awesome!! i wonder if i can get one for work? hmmmm..

This...assuming the tile goes all the way to the ceiling...otherwise just find them above the tile.

I would probably try to run a wire or tape inside the wall from the stud the outlet is on to the next stud to be sure that they did not add an extra stud or similar solely for outlet placement.

Can you get into the attic? If so, you should be able to find where the studs are fastened to the header plate for that wall. Measure from the corner and you are home free. The super magnet idea is a good one also!

What is the tile installed over? If it’s a floated wall the wire mesh will reek havoc with most stud finders.

What kind of mixer valve does she have? You might be able to locate studs by taking off the cover plate and getting a tape measure in there.

all great ideas.

i should have taken a pic.

the mixing valves are on the left wall. the back wall, has the window into the backyard, and will be the wall she wants the main grab-bar. she wants the assist in getting up from a laying down bath position. i have to put a vertical bar on the right wall, to give her a hand position as she step over the tub railing. there is no outlet on the right wall. my only landmark is the window directly on the long wall, in the back.

Shouldn't be hard for the window stud locations. Measure about 2 1/4" to each side of the window and you should hit one. Take a teeeeeeny tiny bit and drill a confirmation hole in grout that way if you're off you can just use some silicone to patch the hole.

Take a picture of the window and post it here. Most framed windows will have two main studs that run floor to ceiling then jack studs ganged to the side of them, lower sill board and upper header, then jacks that fill in below he lower sill and upper header depending on wall height.

Wall studs are usually 12 or 16 on center. Divide the span. Mark with blue tape.

Or follow the ceiling joists.
Those should be resting directly on wall studs if it was framed properly.

The bathroom 'drywall' should actually be sheeted with the harder/no funk green board.
Many are not.

There are direct mount drywall anchors https://www.bing.com/search?form=MOZTSB&pc=MOZI&q=grab+bar+mounting+kit
They might not work, or need additional modification, when right next to wall studs.
Some are rated to something like 3500-6,000 lbs I believe.
(but a chain is only as strong as the weakest link)

i will!!

I would advise her to tear the tile out, reinforce the grab bar mounting locations with blocking, then re-tile.

yeah, but good luck finding exact replacement tile.

I would try a tile store.

suggestion: Buy a few extra boxes from the same batch and store them for later.

Or get the same size and use those for a surround.

If the tiles are cut out sorta responsibly, they can be replaced with tile that doesn't have to match. In fact, unless they are EXACTLY the same, it would look better for them to be complimentary and not too close to the original color and texture.

If they are too close but not quite right, they will scream REFURBISHED BATHROOM HERE! However, it is just an old lady's bathroom after all. Not many people will see it, probably. Her call, of course.

What's in the back of the shower wall? How old is this tile job, you think? If you must, crawl up into the attic and look for nails through the top plate. They are nailed to the studs. If tile is floated, like a bed of 1" thick stucco, then use a set of redhead plastic plugs, stainless screws and be done with it. It will hold up for some time.

Go into the old lady's home and get us a pic

.... preferably while she's not in the shower.

BTW... it's (the window where the grab rail is going) on an outside wall. Depending on the material outside, this should be REALLY easy to figure out.

And btw, why can't it be a hot young girl wanting a grab bar near the window of her shower? I'd be looking for a good tree to put up a stand in my yard. :D

Why do you think he's always there helping:D

That's age discrimination. :eek:

If that were the case, Vash would just have to stand there all proud wearing only his jaunty tool belt.

Noooo, now I need eyes bleached

My vote goes to Fred's idea.

Just have her keep her phone by the tub...and call you when she is ready to get out. You can come over and give her something firm to hang onto. She will be very grateful.