Installing downlights - finding studs with stud finder ??

[utterlydiy]

I want to fit some downlights in the kitchen.

I purchased a Stanley IntelliSensor 77-110, it works OK on a plain smooth wall. But where my ceiling is Artexed its useless.

Any ideas of how to find where the studs and braces are, to position the lamps and run the wiring to the outer edge of the ceiling where I can interconnect the lamps running the cable behind the coving. ???

thxs

 

[Taylortwocities]

Best place is by looking at the floor above.

Dont forget that what you are planning is notifiable work (electrical works in a kitchen).

You should read this first //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:part_p:diy_electrical_work_and_the_law

 

[sparkyspike]

Once you have worked out logically where the joists could be, you could use a bradawl or narrow screwdriver to puncture the ceiling to check. Any holes in the wrong place will be easy to cover up - especially in an artex ceiling. By the way - downlights don't always look good in a heavily artexed ceiling. If it was down to me I would skim the ceiling. This would mean you could make nice big holes in the ceiling which will help to get your drill in to the joists, running cable will be much easier, plus the downlights will sit flat.

 

[kirkgas]

is there not an issue cutting holes in artex, depending on its age there is a concern over asbestos content, although that rule might have been relaxed lately due to a change of thought that it isn't now as dangerous as first thought.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Some Artex has a small asbestos content (3-4%).

Masks are us

 

[luminaire]

I purchased a Stanley IntelliSensor 77-110, it works OK on a plain smooth wall. But where my ceiling is Artexed its useless.

Try using it on a thin piece of cardboard (cornflake package ideal), then it should slide over more easily without compromising its ability.

 

[utterlydiy]

Thanks for the replies,

Where I say the Stanley device works OK on plain walls and not on Artex ceilings.

I mean the thing don't pick-up the joist or studs, where the depth of the stiple on the artex plus the thickness of the plaster board must be near the 19mm range of the device therefore useless.