strange question - how to find type of wall

[xyz321]

hi

i am trying to find out which type of wall (e.g. solid) in one of the bedrooms so i can get an idea if a floating shelf is suitable

i dont have any stud finder etc devices and by simply tapping i am not sure if i can tell. maybe the location of wall itself may shade some light.

house is 1950s built. If you can think of 3-bed semi detached hose. as we enter the house, its a hallway with stairs leading upstairs. directly above the hallway is a small bedroom. The wall i am trying to find out is the bedroom vertical wall which stops above the stairs.

i am not sure if i have explained this properly but i hope it makes sense.

ta

 

[Pigeon85]

A 1950s house will almost always be solid walls, the best way to tell would be to knock on the wall if it sounds hollow then it will be a stud wall, another way would be to get a thin tool such as a screw driver and tap it with a hammer If it is a stud wall you will go right through, make sure your not inline with any sockets or light fitting/switches

 

[xyz321]

A 1950s house will almost always be solid walls, the best way to tell would be to knock on the wall if it sounds hollow then it will be a stud wall, another way would be to get a thin tool such as a screw driver and tap it with a hammer If it is a stud wall you will go right through, make sure your not inline with any sockets or light fitting/switches

thanks. i will try that.

 

[xyz321]

just had a friend around who says its a dry wall. like someone mentioned i was under the impression that most of 1950s houses have solid wall so a bit surpirsed,

but i unfortunately still dont know if its dry wall for sure. tapping on the wall iseems to make hollow sound!

ta

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Knocking on one of your exterior walls (assuming they're solid) will sound solid compared to a stud, they will sound totally different.

 

[Astra99]

Although as stated many 1950s houses have solid walls, it is quite usual to find the wall over the stairs to be "hollow" to avoid having to install a lintel to support it over the stairway. A hefty bit of timber could support a lath and plaster wall (or modern plasterboard)

 

[xyz321]

Although as stated many 1950s houses have solid walls, it is quite usual to find the wall over the stairs to be "hollow" to avoid having to install a lintel to support it over the stairway. A hefty bit of timber could support a lath and plaster wall (or modern plasterboard)

is there a confirmed way to find out type of wall other than sound or drilling test hole? i may be asking stupid question here.

 

[Pigeon85]

You also could have a brick wall with dot and dab on supposed to render and a skim. Which can sound hollow in places where there is no adhesive. I think your best bet would be to pick the spot where you want the shelf then drill a small hole and see if you hit brick

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

dot n dab in the 50's?

If he can't determine if a wall is stud or masonry God help the OP with whatever it is he will be attempting.

 

[xyz321]

If he can't determine if a wall is stud or masonry God help the OP with whatever it is he will be attempting.

I am sure you are very good at everything you are doing. dont waste your time looking at comments from people like me. thanks for nothing then, i will get help from this and other forums rather than troubling GOD.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

thanks

Really, it was nothing!

 

[Pigeon85]

dot n dab in the 50's?

If he can't determine if a wall is stud or masonry God help the OP with whatever it is he will be attempting.

ever heard of a reburb?