i want to hang up a some hooks on a wall above a light switch. this will involve hammering nails into the wall.. is this ok to do, or will i hit wires. is there a tool i need to get to see if its ok to nail there..
2006-08-06 05:52:01 · 18 answers · asked by shelikesdior 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
most of the wiring in todays homes drop from the ceiling to the switch. The 2x4 is normally on the side of the switch. To be sure, you can pull the cover off and look to see where the wires are. If they go straight up, I would NOT hammer any nails there.
2006-08-06 05:56:40 · answer #1 · answered by scrambledmolecues 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are just hammering in some Picture hanging hooks they PROBABLY will not go thru the Sheetrock. Also most wiring is pulled back a little ways from the wall and lastly the possability that the wiring has something behind it to prevent it from moving backwards (away from a nail that would hit it) and cause a puncture is VERY small. So it SHOULD be fine. (don't sue me if I am wrong though LOL)
2006-08-06 05:58:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is quite possible, depending on the lenght of the nails, that it could hit a wire, as sometimes the wires going to the switch come down from the attic into the switch box. If you put them a little bit off to the side you may avoid the problem. If in doubt don't do it in that location.
2006-08-06 05:58:31 · answer #3 · answered by curles1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be okay doing this. Try not to nail any deeper than an inch. To be safe though, flip the circuit breaker to the off position before nailing. If quality electricians wired your house any wire that may be back there will be out of the way of the nail or be protected in some way from it. But I would kill the power just to be safe.
2006-08-06 05:58:19 · answer #4 · answered by fungal_gourmet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure, you can use a "stud finder" which is actually a magnetic sensor with a light attached-it'll light up id there's wire,
chances are you won't puncture a wire if you snap the point off of the nail and only choose a nail 1 1/2" long
2006-08-06 05:58:17 · answer #5 · answered by R J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be a very "enlightening" experience.
No I would not. Very often the wires are above the switch. If a professional wired it, they would contained in a metal pipe. Problem is you do not know whether that is the case ahead of time, unless you owned the home when they did the work.
-Vic
2006-08-06 05:58:14 · answer #6 · answered by Vic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will be fine. the wire going to the light switch most likely runs down the inside of the stud. if it passes through the middle of it then you would only hit it if you are using 4 inch nails.
2006-08-06 05:57:44 · answer #7 · answered by gruntlicker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should get a stud finder or something to detect wiring or metal flex tubing.
because the wiring of the light switch may be going out of the juction box from the top.
It is dangerous and can kill you, so take precautions.
2006-08-06 05:57:05 · answer #8 · answered by jayhind2007 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not an electrician,but my best advise to you would be not to hammer any nails or drill any holes by a light switch,you may hit a wire
2006-08-06 05:56:51 · answer #9 · answered by chunga12413 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
usually a metal plate is placed on the back side of the wall to keep anyone from putting nails through the wires. if your going to put them in the studs be careful. but if your going through the sheet rock i would use toggle bolts and not nails
2006-08-06 05:57:40 · answer #10 · answered by Bigddge78 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋