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Yes, you can hammer a nail into a wall stud. But before you do, it’s important to confirm that you’re actually nailing into a stud—and not wiring, pipes, or ductwork. To check, find a few more studs in the wall, then measure to make sure they’re either 16 or 24 inches apart.

Yes, ceiling joists are typically load-bearing. However, their primary function is to support the weight of the ceiling and loads applied to it, like lighting fixtures and ceiling fans. They can also help support the roof, especially if they’re part of truss systems. Remember, the load-bearing capacity of ceiling joists depends on the material, size, and space between them. 

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.  

Most of the time, you’ll want to use screws on your subfloor rather than nails. Nails can actually weaken plywood, whereas screws can easily penetrate without damage. They also form a more secure connection because of their shape, preventing squeaky floors and tightly holding the subfloor in place. That said, some contractors do prefer nails depending on the type of floor covering because they allow for more flexibility.