I'm fairly new to home improvement stuff and I'm still in the uneasy phase so, rather than go tearing up my wal, I figured I'd ask you experts.

Basically, I have an interior wall in an apartment building (against another unit) that I'd like to go about installing a cable port and mount for my television. I started off marking the position of the studs in the wall using a strong magnet. I knew something was off as these nails are oddly spaced and inconsistent. They vary between 11 and 13 inches apart. I proceeded to mark and cut out the drywall for the cable port but it was substantially more difficult than in other homes I've done this in. Turns out, there is something backing the drywall. I now suspect the nails I've identified are not, in fact, an indicator of stud placement.

I'm told the drywall is at least 30 years old. This wall is next to a fireplace. My initial suspicion is the drywall is over plywood that has been wallpapered (it has a white checkered pattern). If it's not wallpaper, I suspect this was done for soundproofing (the apartment is very well isolated from noise). Can anyone figure out what I'm looking at? Any advice on how to proceed?

I've included two pictures. The first is of the markings I've made. The smaller pieces of tape denote where the magnet stuck (except the lowest one). The second picture is a close up of the hole I cut.

First picture: https://www.dropbox.com/s/z4wyz6cwyr...%2038%20AM.jpg
Second picture: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ajq14qfxew...%2008%20AM.jpg

 

The term "apartment" always raises a red flag on these forums. In most of the country apartment denotes a rented living space. Renters cannot make changes in the walls, wiring, plumbing or almost any "fixed" part of the rented space. Even if you own this space in a co-op building or other arrangement it is often required that licensed tradespeople are required to perform the work.

What I see in your pictures is that a sound-absorbing material was used in the wall cavity. It also appears that the construction of the wall is not at all what is common in single family residential construction. Maybe one of the carpenters has a better answer but if this IS a rented space I think you should carefully and quietly close up the wall and think of something else.

 

Hi Furd,

Thanks for your response.

I should clarify on the space. I rent an individually owned condo in a building with a handful of other units. I've cleared this with my landlord who is a member of the trustees. One of the reasons I'm making this and other small improvements is because we've discussed potentially buying this unit at the end of my lease. Though I trust that if there were any potential issues, my landlord would have raised them, I'll reach out and explicitly ask if the board has any requirements in terms of work done to the walls.

Additionally, the cable port I have was specifically chosen as it doesn't require modifying the unit's existing wiring. It's one of those pass-through powerbridges (like an extension cord that passes behind the wall with a male power plug exposed at the bottom and a female at the top).

I did a little bit of research and think I cleared all of the hurdles but if someone is more familiar with MA law (specifically, Boston), I'd be thrilled to garner some professional insight.

 

This is really curious. Can you show us a better focused view of the second picture, the closeup?
I might know what this is but if I am right I have never seen it used like this.
How old is the building?

 

I believe that what you are looking at is a fire retardant panel. You would have to look into code as to how you can tamper with that material. If there are electrical outlets on that wall, they you may be able to cut into it. But I would ask someone at the building inspectors office for proper procedures.

 

I think this is hair or felt backed carpet and it looks like plaster was applied directly onto the hair. Maybe this was a patch once before and maybe the whole wall is like this. There was a time when ordinary building materials were hard to get and/or expensive and people improvised.
That is why I want to know the age of the building.

If the original poster is still checking in here please give us a report. You might have an historical record. Please tell me if I am right.

The carpet might have been used as sound proofing.