Stud finders and detectors

[Abyss]

Sorry to hijack - I currently have a 65" OLED that is on a TV stand.

Considering getting a 77" OLED and getting it wall mounted but is there any way for somebody like me who is terrible at DIY to check whether the wall is suitable? It seems quite hollow when knocking against it!

Yes there is and all it really needs is a some time doing your research, the right tools and a careful approach. Personally though when you're already talking about buying a £3,000 tv and say you're terrible at DIY I'd just get someone in to do it.

 

[VincentHanna]

I would get somebody to do it.

But I don't want to book a wall installation and find when they get here they can't install it.

 

[Psycho Sonny]

I would get somebody to do it.

But I don't want to book a wall installation and find when they get here they can't install it.

Any reason why you want to move away from TV stand?

Cleaner look? If so get a pro in to do it all as well as the trunking or even better hide it in the walls for you. A pro should be able to install it on any wall. Just need the right fixings.

If it's just for a change just stick with a stand as then you have somewhere to house all the stuff that connects to the TV. Sky, consoles, media pc, avr, etc.

 

[VincentHanna]

A 77" TV will be considerably larger than the stand I own (my 65" already juts over the edge) and I think it'll be too unstable.

Plus the G1 doesn't even come with a stand, you have to buy it seperately.

 

[pp111]

This definitely sits in the category of a little knowledge can be dangerous. There are various safe zones that mains power cable can be run through a wall and this definitely isn't limited to the above areas. The below image gives a clearer idea of the safe zones where cables may be installed. It's worth noting though that this doesn't apply to your central heating / water pipes that could cause significant water damage if you hit one.

But who actually does? I have never found any cables that don't run vertically, with the odd exception of some weird ones that run diagonally ( from people who don't care ). Sure, they can for a very short distance from a spur fuse but other than that...

An special fitting, sure, but you just have to be mindful of where they are.

Yes, water pipes can be anywhere, but it doesn't really cause significant damage. No more difficult to repair than a cable you just drilled through.

 

[dlockers]

But who actually does? I have never found any cables that don't run vertically, with the odd exception of some weird ones that run diagonally. Sure, they can for a very short distance from a spur fuse but other than that...

The second half of your sentence answers the first part

It is a bit like boxing, it only takes that one punch to swing the contest.

As a rule of thumb I agree though, unless there is something obvious I'd be comfortable drilling outside of the straight up/horizontal zones.

 

[pp111]

The second half of your sentence answers the first part

It is a bit like boxing, it only takes that one punch to swing the contest.

As a rule of thumb I agree though, unless there is something obvious I'd be comfortable drilling outside of the straight up/horizontal zones.

I suppose it comes down to "if you are that bothered" ( or perhaps just being lazy, lol ). It's mostly common sense where the cables and pipes will be. There are always exceptions though, and I these days unless it is an old property it's not going to kill you if you are wrong, and while it may be annoying it is not the end of the world either. But I suppose a DIY'er, who can't readily fix a pipe he just drilled through then it is the end of the world, so they would be much more bothered.

I have to say that the times I have made mistakes it's been really stupid ones, like there was a wall socket directly under where I was drilling! Most exceptions to the up/down rule I have been expecting something in the wall. I have a detector but I only really use it if I am darn close to where I suspect a cable or pipe may be. I am being lazy I suppose.

 

[Abyss]

But who actually does? I have never found any cables that don't run vertically, with the odd exception of some weird ones that run diagonally ( from people who don't care ). Sure, they can for a very short distance from a spur fuse but other than that...

An special fitting, sure, but you just have to be mindful of where they are.

Yes, water pipes can be anywhere, but it doesn't really cause significant damage. No more difficult to repair than a cable you just drilled through.

Saying you don't need to check unless you are within six inches either side of a switch or socket is just poor advice that could kill someone. You're even now caveating the statement yourself about scenarios where your original advice doesn't hold up.

I'm not trying to be difficult but this is how people get injured, taking over-simplified advice from a forum without researching properly.

The benefit of taking plenty of photos before the walls were plastered. Each of these photos below of our 2018 new build house has at least one example of electrical cable not "always run up or down the wall vertically from the socket or switch.

Wiring to kitchen appliances from a fused spur, outside lights and a cooker hood

Wiring between floors

Wiring to wall lights

Wiring to outside lights

Wiring to an external security light

Wiring to a wall light and from a fused spur to a fireplace

Wiring to kitchen units