How can I be sure that I won't hit pipes when hanging a medicine cabinet above a toilet?
Question:Stud finder not a guarantee
Answers:
Code requires that pipes and cables be at least 1 1/4" from the face of the stud or be protected with a nail plate. So, using 1/2" for the drywall plus whatever thickness you are going through in the cabinet, use screws that are one inch longer. Put them in the studs, everything will be fine, I've done it dozens of times.
Either is not finding a pipe then. Try a stud finder.
If you cut a shallow piece out of the drywall, you can put it back and patch it. There is usually a vent pipe behind a toilet which is pretty big. 3 or 4 inches. Use a stud finder to locate the studs anyway because a cabinet fits between them unless you want to surface mount the cabinet on the wall. It will stick out 4 inches.
If you have a basement the pipes will go down. Look in the basement you will see them coming down in the area of your bath if you don't have a basement pipe a generally about 24" AFF. you will be fine to cut your cabinet in.If you want to be really safe cut a small hole in the drywall look in side the wall with a flash light. GOOD LUCK
If you could rent a boroscope, a small hole in the wall will let you inspect the stud space.
Here's a description of a borescope.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/borescope...
Hope it helps.
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