Expansion joints (also known as "control joints") go in certain locations in drywall walls to prevent cracking and breaking from building movement, temperature changes and moisture absorption. Luckily, they are made of metal (due to metal's properties when it comes to temperature changes), so they are relatively easy to find behind the drywall "mud" and paint. Locating an expansion joint can verify that your house has them and can be helpful when determining the cause of cracks in your wall.
Instructions
1. Scan your wall with your magnet, starting from one corner and going horizontally to the next. Hold your magnet just above the surface of the wall to prevent marring.
2. Mark the locations with a pencil where the magnet detects something. An expansion joint should be a few inches wide, and run floor to ceiling.
3. Scan the marked locations with the stud finder to determine the exact edges of the expansion joint. If it doesn't run from floor to ceiling, it may be something else behind the wall, and not an expansion joint.
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