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Any bowing in a basement wall signals an issue that needs to be addressed. However, bowing of 2 to 4 inches is more straightforward to fix than bowing of more than 4 inches. That’s why it’s essential to call a pro as soon as you notice the bowing wall. The sooner you address the problem, the easier (and less expensive) it will be to repair.

Yes, a bowed wall can be straightened in several ways. If the bowing is minimal, it can often be straightened by installing anchors or straps. For more severe basement wall bowing, your contractor might need to excavate the soil outside the foundation and pull the wall back into its original position to straighten it.

There are a few options if you miss a stud. You can simply patch the hole with spackle, sand it down, repaint it, and then find the stud—essentially starting over. If you don’t want to do that, you can insert one of the more robust drywall anchor options and hang your item on that, but that will only work if the drywall is in excellent condition and the anchor is rated for the weight of the item you’re hanging on it. You may be able to cover the hole with the object itself once it’s mounted, but it’s still recommended to at least fill the hole to protect insulation and prevent vermin from entering.  

There are a few easy ways to locate a wall stud without a stud finder. First, try knocking on the wall with your knuckles. Most parts of the wall will sound hollow, but when you tap over a stud, it will sound more solid. Alternatively, since studs are spaced 16 or 24 inches apart, you can measure those distances from a corner of the room, which will always have a stud.