Can I drill anywhere on this wall?

[Hdeep]

Hello clever people
Hope you can help. We have our consumer box in our downstairs toilet, right in the top corner. I want to put up a small shelf above the sink, a mirror and a toilet roll holder on the same wall, but I'm worried about wires when drilling holes. I do have one of those live wire detectors, but it's temperamental (or I don't use it properly, probably).

Would there anywhere I could safely drill on this wall?

Hopefully I've attached a picture.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Pete999]

Hello clever people
Hope you can help. We have our consumer box in our downstairs toilet, right in the top corner. I want to put up a small shelf above the sink, a mirror and a toilet roll holder on the same wall, but I'm worried about wires when drilling holes. I do have one of those live wire detectors, but it's temperamental (or I don't use it properly, probably).

Would there anywhere I could safely drill on this wall?

Hopefully I've attached a picture.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

View attachment 43209

Get yourself something like these to check for pipes and cable buried in the wall
Cable, Metal & Stud Detectors | RS Components - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/test-measurement/electrical-test-equipment/cable-metal-stud-detectors/?cm_mmc=UK-PPC-DS3A-_-google-_-DSA_UK_EN_Test_Measurement-_-Cable,%20Metal%20%26%20Stud%20Detectors-_-DYNAMIC%20SEARCH%20ADS&matchtype=b&gclid=CjwKCAjwj4zaBRABEiwA0xwsP0R5tBXXr-KuYkAjeRGcccww3H3aC7ZvrVYobHLHUydW7aLYyqMAlBoCjqIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Octopus]

I would advise that you don't drill any holes directly below the fuseboard, right down to floor level, or horizontally to the left

 

[Bobster]

The cables should be run in what we call 'safe zones'

I'm sure someone will be able to post a picture describing where they are. I don't have one to hand to post up.

As Pete has posted, these units are useful. As although cables should only be run in these places. It doesn't stop cowboys ignoring this.

 

[Octopus]

^^ safe zones weren't around 15+ years ago, so cables could be anywhere

 

[Bobster]

Looking at that board and the location of it. I wouldn't say the house is older than 15 years. Looks a lot like most new builds.

 

[Strima]

That can’t be a new build, that toilet is bigger than most modern living rooms...

 

[Hdeep]

Thanks for your replies! House was built c2005 I believe, so were safe zones part of regulations then? I was thinking if I avoided those zones mentioned, and used my voltage finder thingy, I *should* be okay, but then I got to thinking about how many wires must be coming into this room and got a bit freaked out If anyone did have any links to a diagram of the safe zones, that'd be good to look at.
I don't know if it makes a difference, but this toilet is a lower ground one (three storey house).
Thanks again for your help.

 

[Pete999]

Get yourself something like these to check for pipes and cable buried in the wall
Cable, Metal & Stud Detectors | RS Components - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/test-measurement/electrical-test-equipment/cable-metal-stud-detectors/?cm_mmc=UK-PPC-DS3A-_-google-_-DSA_UK_EN_Test_Measurement-_-Cable,%20Metal%20%26%20Stud%20Detectors-_-DYNAMIC%20SEARCH%20ADS&matchtype=b&gclid=CjwKCAjwj4zaBRABEiwA0xwsP0R5tBXXr-KuYkAjeRGcccww3H3aC7ZvrVYobHLHUydW7aLYyqMAlBoCjqIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.the50plus.co.uk/tech_support/17th_Edition/cable_routes.pdf

 

[Hdeep]

http://www.the50plus.co.uk/tech_support/17th_Edition/cable_routes.pdf

Thank you!

 

[Bobster]

This may or may not work. I've tried to attach an image of the safe zones.

However if you just Google 'electrical safe zones'you get plenty of info.

 

[Bobster]

 

[Midwest]

What type of internal walls do you have. Block & plastered, block & dot & dab plasterboard or stud walls with plasterboard?

 

[static zap]

Is the location of the Meter / cutout relevant ?
(as wondering how the tails typically get there to cu !)

 

[telectrix]

very likely to be water pipes above sink. they could be anywhere though. plumbers run pipes as if they were spaghetti. if your wall is dry-lined, drill carefully through the board, but only 1/2". then if ( with the drill OFF) prod to find the block. you can tel by the sound and at wat depth. generally the block will be about 1" gap from the board.

 

[Hdeep]

Okay stupid me, too busy focusing on electrics to think of water pipes too! Thanks for the advice. The walls have metal studs with plasterboard over.

 

[Des 56]

It has always amazed me that a new build house rarely if ever has a log book of the build to go along with the sale

A picture book of the house skeleton with cable and pipe runs,the positions of joists and noggins etc
It takes very little effort and would cost a pittance
There again we don't do the simple and sensible in the UK

 

[Hdeep]

Okay stupid me, too busy focusing on electrics to think of water pipes too! Thanks for the advice. The walls have metal studs with plasterboard over.

 

[Hdeep]

It has always amazed me that a new build house rarely if ever has a log book of the build to go along with the sale

A picture book of the house skeleton with cable and pipe runs,the positions of joists and noggins etc
It takes very little effort and would cost a pittance
There again we don't do the simple and sensible in the UK

I totally agree! Took a while to figure out why I couldn't drill into any studs when we moved in.

 

[123]

It has always amazed me that a new build house rarely if ever has a log book of the build to go along with the sale

A picture book of the house skeleton with cable and pipe runs,the positions of joists and noggins etc
It takes very little effort and would cost a pittance
There again we don't do the simple and sensible in the UK

In the mass built new builds this could show a multitude of sins that the builders would prefer to be hidden away

 

[Adam W]

Electricians have specific rules and regulations which govern where cables can and can't go, or failing that to automatically disconnect the supply if you still drill into one anyway.
Plumbers put their pipes where they please; if they're copper pipes the chances are they'll have notched out some joists or studs and put them just below the surface. Plastic pipes are easier to put in sensible places but you can't find them with a metal detector.
If you drill into a cable the electricity should disconnect to prevent you getting a shock; drill into a pipe and you need to find an isolator before your house floods.

 

[gazdkw82]

Are those detectors really any good? Will they only detect metal?

 

[PEG]

Electricians have specific rules and regulations which govern where cables can and can't go, or failing that to automatically disconnect the supply if you still drill into one anyway.
Plumbers put their pipes where they please; if they're copper pipes the chances are they'll have notched out some joists or studs and put them just below the surface. Plastic pipes are easier to put in sensible places but you can't find them with a metal detector.
If you drill into a cable the electricity should disconnect to prevent you getting a shock; drill into a pipe and you need to find an isolator before your house floods.

Thank the lord for that...i have previously been quite ready for anything,in an unknown property,but am now pleasantly reassured that i can only make things damp...

 

[JK-Electrical]

Are those detectors really any good? Will they only detect metal?

The Zircon Multiscanner i520 Onestep is a superb piece of kit. It will locate metal, live cables and also studs and joists. Once the user has learned how to use the scanner correctly, it'll locate the dead-centre of studs and joists every time. Highly recommended!

​

 

[Midwest]

The walls have metal studs with plasterboard over.

You can then make an exploratory hole, to see what services are present, where you wish to make a fixing.

There are several different types of plasterboard fixings you can obtain for different sorts of loads. Wouldn't bother trying to fix into the metal stud or track; you'll need appropriate screws and it might be just the place where a service will pass through. Even the most expensive detector multi function detector will struggle to distinguish between metal & live wires etc.

 

[telectrix]

my solution.....

roughly in the centre of where you want the mirror, cot a decent sized hole in the board " about 3 -4". save the cut out bit.than with the aid of a small mirror and torch, see whats behind the board all round the hole. you ann then mark fixings if safe, and glue the cut out piece back before fixing the mirror.

 

[HandySparks]

^^ safe zones weren't around 15+ years ago, so cables could be anywhere

15 years seemed a bit short, so I looked it up.

BS 7671 : 1992, amendment 1, 1994 (sixteenth), 522-06-06 describes the 'safe' zones as currently defined. Can't find it in my copy of the fifteenth.

522-06-07 covers cables outside the zones; earthed conduit, mechanical protection, etc.

 

[Octopus]

15 years seemed a bit short, so I looked it up.

BS 7671 : 1992, amendment 1, 1994 (sixteenth), 522-06-06 describes the 'safe' zones as currently defined. Can't find it in my copy of the fifteenth.

522-06-07 covers cables outside the zones; earthed conduit, mechanical protection, etc.

I was going on what I see on installations ............. rather than BS 7671!

 

[Adam W]

my solution.....

roughly in the centre of where you want the mirror, cot a decent sized hole in the board " about 3 -4". save the cut out bit.than with the aid of a small mirror and torch, see whats behind the board all round the hole. you ann then mark fixings if safe, and glue the cut out piece back before fixing the mirror.

Or you could drill a small hole (about 20mm) and insert an inspection camera, which can sporadically be bought from Aldi for £69.99, and before you say that sounds a lot, nowadays that just about gets you a night at the pictures and a cab ride home.

 

[Santa]

Or one of these for £30: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product...59f-5ea2-8d06-7bd5f089c462&pf_rd_i=5136303031

 

[Pete999]

Are those detectors really any good? Will they only detect metal?

I have one from Screw fix that will detect AC Volts

 

[Pete999]

Are those detectors really any good? Will they only detect metal?

I have one from Screw fix that will detect AC Volts

 

[pirate]

As above, but really it's not hard to fix plasterboard, so cut down the length of 2 studs with a Stanley knife, in the area where you wish to fit the accessories, cut horizontally top and bottom and remove that rectangle/square, and then you will have a very good view of what runs where. Take a pic of the void for future reference, put the plasterboard back and fill it, sand and paint.
Never be afraid of opening up walls! It's not rocket science...plumbers do it all the time!
(Mind you, they use hammers, and leave it to the plasterers to make good...)