Metal behind drywall in garage?

[xizor]

I'm trying to put up 2x6 across the studs of my finished garage to screw hooks, nails etc. into. I went about finding the studs and it turns out they are 24in spaced out on the wall I want to use, while the other 2 are normal 16in.

I drilled a small hole where the stud is and the bit goes through the drywall and gives a bunch of resistance and then goes straight through. I took a screw and tried putting it in (to what I thought is the stud), but it wont catch and stripped the head of the screw.

So I widened the drywall hole and put a nail in and it seems there is a sheet of metal behind the drywall but no stud. The drill put a hole in the metal, but i can poke at the edges with a nail and its definately solid.

Anyone know what is behind my drywall and why isn't there a stud where I think it should be? I live in a townhouse and the wall is between my garage and my neighbor's garage.

 

[Stuart in MN]

It sounds like they used metal studs instead of wood ones. Also, since it's the wall between you and your neighbor it may be a fire rated wall. You could probably use some self-tapping sheet metal screws to get the 2x fastened up. It wouldn't be good for hanging large amounts of weight, but if you're just looking for a place to hang tools, shovels and rakes, etc. it should be okay.

 

[Vermaraj]

Stop drilling!!

If there is a pipe or an electrical line going through the stud it may need to be protected by a metal nailing plate. If this is the case the pipe or wire is less than 1.5" from the face of the drywall.

Try drilling the same stud 6" away from the original hole and see if you hit metal again.

 

[Junkman]

It the studs are 16" on center, and then you find a section that is 24" on center, there might be a hot air duct in that part of the wall. I suggest that if you can't find the stud that you cut a hole big enough to get your hand into to see what is back there. You might be drilling into a water pipe, electrical conduit, etc. Never drill a hole that you don't know what is on the other side. I have heard of people drilling into a wall, hitting an electrical wire, and getting severely shocked. That is a shocking experience that I never want to experience.

 

[CraigFL]

It could be any of the above but I also have seen where builders have put sheetsteel across the studs behind drywall as an additional fire protection between garage and house or between condo units.

 

[xizor]

It could be any of the above but I also have seen where builders have put sheetsteel across the studs behind drywall as an additional fire protection between garage and house or between condo units.

I'm leaning towards this. I tested the studs all the way across and the metal was there, I also tested above and below the original spot and hit metal. I tested in a spot between studs and still hit metal. plus knocking on the wall doesn't produce a hollow sound anywhere, its very solid.

its not on the opposite wall adjacent to my other neighbor, although he may have this metal on his side of the shared wall. not sure what I'll do w/ the 2x6 I planned to hang there, I can't seem to find studs and drywall anchors wouldn't be secure enough. would butterfly anchors be a bad idea if they can hold on the metal sheet?

 

[Junkman]

Start at a corner and see if you can establish where they started the 16" on center. Then it is a matter of just laying it out with a ruler. Every 16", there should be a stud. You could try using a sheet rock screw to see if you can hit the stud. Also, many times, the window edge will be a good starting point to work from.

 

[rotus7]

Butterfly anchors through the metal studs should theoretically work, however, you have to drill a good size hole to get the butterfly portion of the anchor through to the other side. That could potentially be a problem for the structural rigidity of the studs, especially if you did that to several of them for the full length of the 2x6 you are wanting to hang. Something to consider.

 

[PAToyota]

Sheetmetal really doesn't do anything for a fire rating. Could be to keep you from cutting into your neighbor's place to steal his goodies...

 

[bobbyd]

Could be to keep you from cutting into your neighbor's place to steal his goodies...

Bingo!

Vandal or abuse resistant gyp board. Either has a thick high density sheet of plastic adhered to the back and in some cases sheet metal adhered to the back. Could also be Acetate, lexan, etc. Keeps people from smashing through the wall to get to the other side. Used extensively in detention facitilies, mental hospitals, etc. Major PITA to work with. I've also seen expaned metal lath buried between two layers to keep people out (or in as the case may be).

 

[Willy Victor]

Buy a house, I hate condos. Metal studs take fine thread screws.

Willy