Screws in cement villa garage?
 

I'm not a very handy person and am trying to hang up a bike rack in the garage (it only requires one screw). Luckily I know enough where I tested with a tiny nail first and sure enough I hit cement right after I got through the drywall.

I then decided to use a stud finder and it actually seems to find studs? I tried the same nail and instead of hitting cement it seemed to hit wood. Are there actually wood studs in there that I can screw directly into? And would anyone know how deep of a screw I could use if so? I'm nervous I'll damage the cement.

If I'm not mistaken, there are wood studs inside the concrete blocks to which the wallboard is attached. Wallboard is not attached directly to the concrete blocks.

I don't think they are studs, they are furring strips (1x2's) not sure if you can get a very long screw into it.

Yeah that’s what I was afraid of. Furring strips definitely won’t hold what I want to hang. Is there an easy solution or is it some cement wall anchors for me?

Outside walls will be block with 1 by 4 nailers for the sheetrock.

Inside walls will be studs.

Is your stud finder finding 1.5 inch wide studs or 3.5 inch 'studs'?

Which wall are you trying to use??


even if you have hit a 1x4 nailer, I would still just drill thru that and into the block beyond, then put in a 3 inch or so concrete anchor type thing for a lag bolt.

I would use tapcons.

OP, here is my suggestion, go to ACE hardware or Lowes, etc. ask for concrete screws, at least 2.5 inches long this should give you at least 1.25 inches in the concrete wall. You can get the self tapping tap (tapcon) or the type that requires an insert (concrete drill ans suitable insert).
If you are not comfortable with this, send me a PM and I can help you install.

They are not studs but furring strips which are only about 1 inch thick.

Thanks all for the info. I’ll look into the concrete options.

Newer villas do not have concrete block. They have poured concrete walls.