Hi Peeps, I'm planning to do some Drilling works in my house. But I'm afraid of spoil the Pipe or Wires under the Wall.
I came across there is such a tool so called Stud Finder (Wall Detector)
Anyone experienced this before? How reliable is this product to detect the things under the wall?

yes bosch got this

The general rule of wall drilling is to avoid placing things near to switches or piping area.

Generally, electrical wiring runs from ceiling to floor. Piping is slightly complicated. It can be ceiling to floor or vice versa depending on the water source.

If you have no experience in drilling at all, is good to have one but cannot vouch the good of it as never use before.

Generally the no drill zone is a + from any outlet (power water or drain point) without opening up to see exactly where it runs.

Also if you notice any paint or surface roughness or crackline or hollowness that run in a line, good chance that there is stuff under that also.

Beware of drilling under air conditioner also.

most cheaper 1 cannot detect water pipe (because our water pipe usually pvc)
bosch 1 that can detect is not cheap (e.g. d-tech 120 cost around myr 800)

The one from Bosch is like RM800.00
Those ciplak brands are like RM50.00 only
The difference is too big. So I'm wondering how effective is this.

Yup, I noticed that too, Those Ciplak brands are like RM50.00 only
The difference is too big. So I'm wondering how effective is that.

Yes, I knew that. But newer house nowadays has a lot of Wires/ cable underneath. Newer house nowadays have a lot of Wall point.
They even skim the wall, I just can't see there is any signs of Wire underneath it.

The Developer even skim the wall, plaster it, I just can't see there is any signs of Wire underneath it.

cheap no good

Too costly and its not really useful for things buried deep in our cemented wall.
Angmoh use drywall easy to detect.

Its basically playing Minesweeper on a bigger scale
If alot of work is getting done - Buy washi tape and mark out the no drill zone based on + orientation. Dont need to tape whole thing just - - - dotted so u dont forget.

We in Malaysia don't do floor run like China for electrical chase. Exact orientation u need to open all the nearby sockets and switches see where they coming from. Generally drop down from ceiling but nearby things especially on same horizontal level will likely cut thru the middle of the wall horizontally.

For water pipe (drain pipe) yes we do have floor runs. Apply logic abit for mapping the + out based on type of outlet (power/fresh water/drain water)

If new house ask the MO for the wiring and plumbing (setting out plan), and use that to corroborate ur findings.

This post has been edited by ceo684: May 23 2021, 02:53 PM


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There is another way to check how the wires are run but is extra work.

1. For ceiling lighting and fan points, chipped off some of the plaster and you are able to see the direction of the wires.

2. For wall sockets and lighting switches, remove it to see the direction of wires.

All wiring should run in straight line unless one 'expert' decides to do it shorter way.

Drilling should be 3 to 6 inches away from the straight line.

For RM800, I suggest hiring someone. If 1 hole is charged RM5, you can have 160 holes and I can say you will only use once, twice or most thrice.

Drilling cement wall, concrete and tiles involve different bits and skill. Easy for pro but difficult for amateur.

For RM50, no comment.

For RM50 "not my house syndrome" work will be done one.. all those special bits for tiles cost more

What you mean "Not my house syndrome" work will be done one?
I don't understand. Lol

Can be translated into "simply whack only and get the job done regardless" without proper procedure, client not looking, use hammer to drive in screws and other nonsense.

Too bad, hope I won't get this kind of Contractor in the future

You'll need to keep tabs on them, later some "expert" decide to do things like diagonal concealed runs can happen.