Need small laundry room ideas

[aton5]

This is my super tiny laundry room with just a washer and no dryer.  

Bought a stainless steel cloth hanging rack.  Could only find 1 stud along this wall, concern that I will nail into pipes or wires, what size nail should I use? 

Also welcome any ideas I could add on top of the steel shelf. Don't think I need a full cabinet as I don't have much stuff. 

Thanks! 

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @aton5 

I would say it sees the pipes as something solid so it reports it as a solid item.

Dave

[aton5]

Okay, didn't realise the stud finder could do that. Thanks! 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @aton5,

If it's this Ryobi Stud Finder With AC Detection RYSF5003, it appears to use a green LED to indicate a solid object. It uses the red LED to indicate AC wires.

I would suggest taking a pencil and following any pipes or timber studs and marking out their locations. You're pointing to quite a large area with the three black arrows. A pipe would be only 19mm wide, and you might have the hot and cold lines running next to each other.

Mitchell

[Nailbag]

Hi @aton5 

Just note that one of the biggest differences between price-points of stud-finders is how deep they can scan through various sub-straights. This specification is often overlooked as most people looking to buy one simply aren't aware of this. That Ryobi model states a depth of 38mm through plasterboard which, will be taken from the surface. 

When mounting the rack you will want to use a screw into the stud and something like this into the plasterboard. Just ensure the hole you make is not bigger than specified. Alternatively if possible, if you can off-set the rack, you can pickup a stud tight into either corner of the rear wall. Just drive the screws on a slight angle to maximise how much of the stud is picked up.

Nailbag

[Nailbag]

Hi @aton5 

The image of the studs I supplied was simply a common layout, so don't be worried about your builder being shonky. To have studs in different locations or to have multiple is not uncommon either for various reasons. One being in order to support/fix walls on the other side, support internal pipes and wiring. Plumbers might also add and modify studs and noggins in order to secure internal plumbing fittings.

Stud finders may not always differenciate between pipes and studs and instead see them as both just solid objects. Even expensive models can get it wrong. 

Nailbag

[aton5]

Hi @Nailbag 

Yes my Ryobi stud finder can only pick up depth up to 38mm. 

So I am trying to hang the Ikea GRUNDTAL drying rack, weights 2.99kg; max load 20kg. 

I have some Ramset Wallmate with screws up to 24kg  thought of getting something which can cater for the weight of the rack plus clothes if I can't find the stud and had to screw into dry wall. 

But I am now concern that the length of the nail at 40mm and wall anchor 42mm may be too long given that my device can only pick up a depth of only 38mm. Just don't want it to hit any of the pipes or ac wires. 

Not going to hold you to it, in your personal opinion do you reckon the 'Ramset 8 x 12mm Plastic Toggle With Screw' will be able to handle the rack and max load weight?  As dry wall thickness is around 10mm - 13mm, will the screws in the Ramset 8x 12mm be sufficient? 

Thank you. 

[Nailbag]

Hi @aton5 

Those screw-in anchors are probably the last type I would use.  They are ok for fastening static objects where nothing moves. Because even though they are heavy rated, your application requires items to be taken on/off which overtime loosens the fastener within the plasterboard. These can’t be retighten. 

You need something that will pull in hard and tight against the plasterboard from the backside like these. I have used them countless times for similar applications. 

But again it’s vital the hole you make is exactly the right size or they will spin when trying to tighten them

And as far as finding a fail safe depth I often fall back to using a long thin nail. Draw a line across where the shelf will be so when you patch the tiny nail holes they are hit seen. Tap the nail in until through the plasterboard as required. Use your fingers to push it in and around to check obstructions. Never fails 👍

Nailbag

[aton5]

Hi @Nailbag 

Have finished installing the shelf, thanks again for the advice. Using the thin nail method has helped to assure me that I am not hitting into any wires or pipes. 

On the back of the wallmates box it says to allow for 100mm between wallmates to avoid weakening of the plasterboard. I only have 3 wallmates

anchor on one side of the shelf, 2 of them are within 40mm apart, does that matter? 

[JacobZ]

Hi @aton5,

As a general rule, you shouldn't install them within 100mm of each other because it can cause the plasterboard between them to fracture.

If you've installed them and they are within that distance of each other and there is no cracking or fracturing, I wouldn't worry about it.

You've done a great job. Thank you for sharing the update.

Jacob