Brick is the primary exterior wall material on 14 percent of the 641,000 new single-family homes sold in 2022, and decorative interior brick is often used to add warmth and beauty to a home. However, it is not so easy to hang your artwork, curio cabinets, shelves, etc. a heavy flat panel TV On a masonry wall such as a wood stud wall with drywall over it. Still, you don’t need to call a professional to hang your TV. You just need the proper tools and you need to know the right technique for drilling holes in brick.
Why drill a hole in a brick?
From hanging to mounting interior artwork garden hose reel On the outside, there are several reasons why you might want to drill holes in brick. Some projects may involve only one hole and others, such as building a deck or installing a floating shelf, may involve drilling multiple holes.
Although the reasons for drilling may differ, the methods you use are essentially the same. The biggest variables relate to the weight of the object you plan to attach to the brick, and the condition of the mortar or brick to which you want to attach said object. Always be sure to choose a mounting method that is rated for weight.
Some common reasons for drilling into brick:
- hanging artwork or tv
- Installing a Garden Hose Holder
- Attaching a Deck Ledger Board
- Installing Window Planter Boxes
- Securing a Floating Shelf
Drill/Hammer Drill or rotary hammer are the right tools for making holes in brick. Typically, a drill/hammer drill is for smaller holes and a rotary hammer is for larger holes that are more than ⅜-inch in diameter.
“Selecting the right tool for the job will enable you to drill into the bricks effectively,” says Matt DiBara, a fourth-generation mason contractor. rebar masonry in Los Angeles, California, and co-founder of contractor consultantHe suggests using a hammer drill and tungsten carbide masonry bit.
Drill/hammer drill bits have carbide tips and a smooth shank that can be inserted into a typical three-jaw chuck. While rotary hammer bits are also carbide-tipped, they have a shank that is inserted into a bit holder called the SDS Max. Of the two tools, the drill/hammer drill is faster and less powerful. This is more for DIY applications. The rotary hammer is a more expensive and far stronger tool, and is usually for commercial use.
terms “drill/hammer drill” and “rotary hammer” are often used interchangeably even among industry professionals. While both tools do, in fact, “hammer” and they both remove dust from the hole being drilled by flutes in the bit When removing pulverized masonry and concrete, they do it differently.
- a drill/hammer drill Gubbins generates its percussion power through gears. Think of two poker chips with their edges facing away from each other. As the ridges slide over each other, the bit follows the up and down motion. As the bit enters the hole, it crushes the brick in front. The action of metal-on-metal gubbins is loud, so be sure to wear ear protection.
- a revolving hammer Its action is like that of a jack hammer. A ram pats the back of the bit while turning. The action is quiet, produces less heat and is very quiet.
If it’s an option, consider renting Rotary hammer and carbide masonry drill bits Instead of buying them. To drill larger holes you will need two: a smaller bit to drill pilot holes and a larger bit of the recommended size to complete the job.
Where to Drill: Brick vs. Mortar
As soon as you have placed the object on the wall and drilled the necessary holes, your next decision will be whether to drill into the brick or the mortar. You’ll find a lot of conflicting opinions on which option is better, but the right answer really depends on several factors: the type and age of the brick, the depth and diameter of the hole, the type of anchor you use, and The load you are putting on the fasteners.
In addition to weighing which material makes a stronger bond, take a minute to consider how you’ll handle it. patching and hiding holes If you drill in the wrong place or remove the item later. You can patch mortar holes with a tube of mortar repair, but when it comes time to fill those holes using a mortar compound it’s much harder to match the color and texture of the brick that you have to mix yourself. could
Drill into the mortar if you’re hanging something lightweight.
It is usually easier to drill into mortar. Mortar joint is probably best suited for attaching light-weight items such as light wall art. However, keep in mind that mortar often has unknown or unexpected voids that you can’t see, which can make it difficult to attach a fastener.
Tried and True Advice
“I’ve drilled enough holes in brick and masonry that I learned a few things that help me in future projects, like whether to drill into mortar or brick. There are a lot of voids in the mortar joints, I’ve sworn them off. Sure, it’s easy and sometimes works, but sometimes it’s not good enough.
Second, the fastener. A commonly used method is often a blue screw [sometimes works]i need [one that works] All the time. For smaller holes, I choose a Spax #10 multi-material screw. This is the same screw I use for wood to wood connections and it works all the time in brick. And, it’s a hammer to me all day long.”
-Mark Clement, Contributing Writer
If you are hanging something heavy, make a hole in the brick.
Brick generally holds up better than mortar and bears more weight. However, if you have old, brittle brick and you are installing a heavy object that requires deep holes and expansion-style anchors, deep holes weaken the brick, and expansion anchors weaken the brick. Can generate enough spherical stress to break.
If your bricks show signs of cracking or crumbling, find another brick that is stronger or try to drill into the mortar so that the circular expansion force of the anchor pushes fully against the intact bricks. Another strategy is to engage french cleat Strong bricks that will allow you to distribute heavy weight across multiple bricks.
Equipment and Materials
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Project Overview
working time:5 minutes
total time: 20 minutes
skill level: intermediate
estimated cost: $50 to $100
before starting
Before you start drilling into bricks, consider safety. Equip yourself with eye protection and gloves. Depending on the device you plan to use, hearing protection may be a good idea. Additionally, an N95 respirator can help protect you from brick and mortar dust that contains crystalline silica, which will become airborne when you start drilling into brick. Inhaling even a small amount is enough to cause a health hazard. Wearing an N95 respirator during the entire drilling and cleanup process can help prevent serious lung injury and other damage, as this type of product will filter out at least 95 percent of airborne particles.
Also, if there are plants or other delicate areas under or around the area, lay down a cloth or tarpaulin before starting.
How to Drill into Brick
Drilling into bricks begins with selecting the right tools, marking the proper locations, and working consistently and carefully. Follow these steps for drilling into brick.
Step 1: Mark the holes where you want to drill.
Use a pencil to measure and mark the locations of the holes you will drill into the brick or mortar. Then, double-check the hole locations by holding the TV mounting brackets, artwork, shelving unit, or template for whatever you want to hang directly on the marks.
Pro Tip: “The most important thing is to mark the spot with a pencil and begin drilling slowly to create a stable guide hole,” says DiBara.
Step 2: Set a stop on your drill/hammer drill to correspond to the desired hole depth (optional).
Be sure to measure the depth you need to achieve with the hole by measuring the fastener you want to use. Refer to the product’s instruction sheet for recommended hole depth and set the stop guide to that hammer drill,
Step 3: Install the Ladder.
If you’re using a ladder, make sure it’s level and the feet are on a solid surface. Then get into a position that allows you to apply a significant pushing force to the end of the hammer drill while maintaining your stability.
Step 4: Place the pilot drill bit perpendicular to the wall and drill at low speed.
Insert a ⅛-inch drill bit into the hammer drill to drill the pilot hole. Set the drill to low speed and hold the drill with two hands, one on the pistol grip and the other on the support handle. Make sure the drill is level and exactly perpendicular to the wall. (Drilling at an angle will cause mounting alignment problems and may greatly reduce holding power.)
Start pilot hole drilling Using enough force to start the drill bit. If the pilot bit starts to “walk” away from the marked spot, use a nail set or steel punch – a nail can work too – tap a dimple in the brick with a hammer so you’re in the right spot. Can start from.
Keep changing the pushing force until you find the point where the bit intersects the brick. Then drill the pilot hole to the recommended depth using a steady pushing force. Let the tool do the work. Hold the device firmly. Don’t force it.
“If you’re drilling into brick, you should wash the drill bit periodically to clean out brick dust and prevent overheating,” says DiBara. “The speed should be increased gradually for clean entry.”
Pro Tip: If the drill/hammer drill only has one speed, drill smaller to avoid overheating the bit.
Step 5: With a large masonry bit, drill into the pilot hole made in the previous step.
If you want to drill a larger hole with a drill/hammer drill, you need to drill a series of holes to prevent the bits from melting and gradually enlarging the hole. After drilling your pilot hole, swap in a larger bit. Again, check your drill/hammer drill to make sure it is level and vertical, then place the drill bit in the pilot hole and continue drilling to the proper depth.
Step 6: Use compressed air to clean the drilled hole.
Remove all traces of brick or mortar dust from the hole using compressed air. Leaving dust in the holes will reduce the holding power of the wall anchors and screws you installed.
Step 7: Install Anchors on the Wall.
Insert wall anchors or other fasteners designed to support the full weight of the item, and mount the wall hanging or outdoor fixture with screws.
Step 8: Carefully clean the work area.
Keeping your eye protection and respirator in place, clean up any large mortar or brick fragments with a broom and dustpan. absorb any remaining dust shop vacuum Equipped with pre-filter. Or, mop the floor and wash the mop.
After cleaning the workplace, take off your shoes outside use compressed air To blow away the dust. Then wash your clothes and take a shower to avoid spreading silica dust into your home.
final thoughts
Drilling into brick is not difficult with the right tools. After successfully drilling a hole in a brick wall, you can also use this technique to drill into concrete block or concrete. This skill opens up the opportunity to create backyard oases that previously seemed impossible. So mount that outdoor TV and make it water fountain feature wall You’re dreaming about it.
