How to Drill Into a Brick Wall
How to Drill Into a Brick Wall
Drilling into a brick wall is an intimidating process, but it can be done by anyone. As long as you follow a few simple steps and have the right materials, the process should be very simple. Drilling incorrectly could potentially cause serious damage to your wall and even the drill. Trust us, we’re in the business of hiring a professional for home problems and you do not want to risk drilling into a brick wall without some sort of guide. This list of steps will come in handy and ensure the job is done well.
- Make sure you have the right equipment. Luckily you don’t need much to complete this project. A drill, masonry bit, plumber putty, and a bucket of cool water are the materials needed.
- Time to plan the hole. To start off, you need to know the size of the hole you will need. Generally what happens is you will place a bolt in the hole you are drilling to hold something else in place. Because of this, you should measure the length and width of the bolt and use that information to know the size of your hole. The hole you end up drilling should be slightly larger than the bolt so keep that in mind as well. Make sure the hole isn’t too large and consider using a smaller drill bit to drill a small pilot hole for your own reference.
- Attach the proper bit. After measuring the length and width of the bolt you will be using, it is time to select and attach the proper drill bit to your drill. Because a brick is so dense, you shouldn't try doing this without a powerful drill. If you don’t have one, you may want to borrow one from a friend or even rent one.
- Mark the wall. There are a few things to consider when you mark the wall. First, you want to make sure there are no electrical wires, plumbing, or other items behind the area you are drilling. Second, it is a better idea to drill through the cement between the bricks. Drilling directly through the brick will increase the possibility of damaging the wall or could even cause the brick to shatter.
- Safety gear. Make sure you wear the proper safety gear to prevent any sort of injury. It is likely shards of brick and cement will fly around so make sure to wear goggles, gloves, and a dust mask.
- Drill the hole. As stated above, make sure to use a smaller drill bit to make a small pilot hole. Once the pilot hole is complete, use the masonry bit on the drill to carefully expand the hole. Remember, it needs to be slightly larger than the bolt you will be inserting.
- Cool your drill bit. This next step is important and potentially dangerous if you choose to ignore. Since the drill is going through a dense material it will cause the bit to heat up. This puts you at risk of burning yourself so make sure to keep a cool bucket of water close by. If you choose to pour water on the bit, just make sure it doesn’t make the drill itself wet.
- Prevent the bit from getting stuck. There is a good chance that your drill bit will get stuck in the brick. If this happens, try reversing the bit to pull it out of the brick. This may not work and you might need to dig through the cement and brick. Avoid doing this at all costs to prevent any damage.
- Seal the hole. The last step is the seal the hole. Place the bolt into the hole made and seal the opening with putty.
This step by step process should allow you to successfully drill into a brick wall. Great Pros is here to help with guides like this. If you’re interested in more of these, feel free to visit our blog! If you need any help with a home project, feel free to find out what services we offer here. Great Pros is Arizona’s leading network of home service professionals that is trusted and relied upon by thousands of homeowners.
