How to hang prints in bathroom without puncturing pipes

[Anonymous]

I am wondering how to do this. We have a stud detector that finds metal and studs, but I think our water pipes are plastic/PVC. So I'm confused as to how we can hang prints in the bathroom without puncturing these since the stud finder doesn't find them. Also need to hang a bathroom mirror.

[Anonymous]

no help on the mirror, but I often hang things with command velco hooks. if you put one on each corner, they will hold up pretty heavy items for YEARS. I love them becasue when I want to move around my art, it is super easy to get down without repainting.

This was a trick I learned while renting that I still use even though I don't rent anymore.

[Anonymous]

The stud finder finds the stud, generally 16" apart on center. Soooooo you nail into the stud. PVC pipes are a non-issue. You are not going to find them with the stud finder, hence you will not nail into them. Water pipes are generally copper. Waste pipes are generally PVC IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The stud finder finds the stud, generally 16" apart on center. Soooooo you nail into the stud. PVC pipes are a non-issue. You are not going to find them with the stud finder, hence you will not nail into them. Water pipes are generally copper. Waste pipes are generally PVC IMO.

Right but the stud is not where I want to hang the print. That's the problem. Where I want the print is about 10 inches away from the nearest stud. It's a short wall so if I hang the print on the stud it will look odd.

[Anonymous]

How heavy is the print? You can usually get away with a small nail and hook just in the drywall. If you bought the hangers it will say how much it can hold. Or use a plastic anchor and screw. Why do you think there are pipes in this particular wall?

[Anonymous]

I don't think you'll puncture a PVC pipe with the type of small nails that come with picture hangers. Those pipes are thick and I'd think you'd know you hit one right away before it causes damage. For something you need to install a wall anchor with (like perhaps the mirror), use a nail to create your pilot hole first and check that there is nothing right there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How heavy is the print? You can usually get away with a small nail and hook just in the drywall. If you bought the hangers it will say how much it can hold. Or use a plastic anchor and screw. Why do you think there are pipes in this particular wall?

I guess because it's a small bathroom so I figure there must be water pipes everywhere.

[Anonymous]

The pipes don't typically butt up to the drywall, even in small bathrooms.

[Anonymous]

water pipes are usuall only on one wall (where the the toilet and sink are). Even then there usually aren't pipes running up from the sink (or above the sink).

[Anonymous]

As for the mirror, if it's a big one that will "rest" on the countertop then you could use liquid nails (although this may be more permanent than you'd like) and tape to hold it temporarily while the glue sets. I also agree, as long as you are using picture nails and not giant stakes, you should be fine hanging pictures wherever you want. Studs are useful when hanging something very heavy but these days with the anchors and screws the studs aren't as necessary.