Can Basement Metal Studs Hold an RO/DI Unit Safely

[Hair Algae Wizard]

Folks,

My finished basement uses metal studs to hold up the drywall. Ideally, the placement for my 7 stage RO/DI unit would be on one of the walls using metal studs, with drywall attached to them. Will these studs safely hold an RO/ID unit?

My concern is both weight and and the lateral force the unit will go through while wrenching on the filters for replacement. Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks!

 

[Brandon Smith]

I don't personally have experience with this, but you don't have to wrench down on them. You just need to hang the unit on the screws.

Another option might be to screw a piece of wood to your wall securely and mount your RODI unit to the wood.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Steel studs are just fine. You won't have any issue screwing your RO/DI into them. If need be, because of distances, first screw a 1x4 or 1x6 horizontally on the wall and attach the RO/DI unit to that.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

absolutely

 

[VB313]

Agree with @redfishbluefish you can mount straight to studs but using a 1x4or 6 will make it easier

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Agree with @redfishbluefish you can mount straight to studs but using a 1x4or 6 will make it easier

overkill. steel studs are plenty strong to hold up a full rodi system. if the canisters are torqued correctly, by hand, then using a wrench to loosen them won’t effect the studs at all. just like oil filters on a vehicle, it’s not necessary to tighten the crap out of your canisters!!

 

[Hair Algae Wizard]

Thanks guys! Here are some pics of the studs, just to confirm.

 

[Brandon Smith]

I don't see where there would be an issue at all. Are you using self tapping sheet metal screws?

 

[Hair Algae Wizard]

I don't see where there would be an issue at all. Are you using self tapping sheet metal screws?

Yes, those things are awesome!

 

[motortrendz]

The screws will hold but may sag into the sheetrock under the weight over time. I would use a piece of 1×4 poplar or pine and scre that across 2 studs in 2 spots to disperse the weight and sandwich the sheetrock. Then attach your rodi to that. Itll last longer.

Also regular sheetrock screws are all you need, you really only need the self tapper(zippies) when attaching the studs to the track

 

[Hair Algae Wizard]

The screws will hold but may sag into the sheetrock under the weight over time. I would use a piece of 1×4 poplar or pine and scre that across 2 studs in 2 spots to disperse the weight and sandwich the sheetrock. Then attach your rodi to that. Itll last longer.

Also regular sheetrock screws are all you need, you really only need the self tapper(zippies) when attaching the studs to the track

Thanks, will
follow your advice. Much appreciated!

 

[motortrendz]

Thanks, will
follow your advice. Much appreciated!

Anytime. My dad has a construction company in NY, since done alot of work with metal studs over the years. Pretty much all they use in renovation work now. I used it in my garage as well. But you gotta cover it in plywood and sheetrock if you want to mount anything to the walls