RH-03Do a safety check before you drillCables and pipes can run almost anywhere in a wall, not just in the usual safe zones — a detector helps but can miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, behind metal-backed board, or confused by a metal stud frame. Find your stopcock, usually under the kitchen sink, and check it turns freely so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt at all, isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before drilling, and turn the water off at the stopcock before drilling anywhere you suspect a pipe.