Have you thought about how to drill into brick? If you stay in the brick home, you probably know how difficult it can be to put pictures and other decorations on your wall. It is natural to fear that your home will collapse after the bricks. The same problem is hanging a clock or a picture on a brick stove. Putting nails in the mortar between the bricks can cause them to collapse.
However, you don’t have to deal with the dilemma of digging bricks as long as there is a perfectly safe and effective way to do it. What you need is the right equipment and the proper guidance to help you do this. To help you, here is a concise and detailed guide that you can easily follow so that you can start decorating your space in no time.
1. What do you need to drill a brick?
Before you begin, the first thing to do is to make sure you have the right tools and equipment.
Hammer drill
Rotary hammers are ideal for drilling holes in slag block, concrete, and brick. They are crushed to break up the rubble or coarse material from which the brick is made, and they are drilled to remove any residue.
There are many rotary hammers, but let’s focus on the rotary hammer and the standard rotary hammer. Both are usually excellent for drilling masonry. The former is more powerful and only has one hammer mode you may use to remove hard debris.
If you want to drill a hole or holes larger than 1 cm, use a hammer drill. However, if you only wanted to drill holes about an inch long, a standard rotary hammer would work.
Drill or drill bit for construction
The drill you utilize in drilling brick is called a masonry petal. This will allow it to fit snugly when the shaft reaches the opening.
For this job, look for sharp punches, preferably carbide bits, as these are designed explicitly for hammer bits. They create penetration of a hard surface better and faster.
Since drills come in different sizes, you need to be careful with them. Make sure it is compatible with your hammer drill.
A bucket full of water
Drilling through mortar can be cumbersome for a hammer drill. This will keep your bricks hot. This is where a bucket of water comes in handy. Keep it closed at all times, as you may occasionally need to cool the bit during the drilling process.
If you want to hang a painting or other accessory on the wall, you will also need the following items:
Construction screw
With a construction screw, accessories are attached to your wall. The size depends a lot on the hole you want to make and the length of your build. The length of the chisel should be able to drill approximately four inches deeper than the cap screw. Here is a guide to help you buy:
Screwdriver
A screwdriver is used to fix the screws. It doesn’t matter if you buy a motorized manual or a manual as long as it is screw compatible.
Wall anchor
Use a wall mount to hold heavy tapestries or accessories that you want to hang on the wall. You will need to purchase expansion anchors for this project as they will pop open once they are properly installed on the wall. Therefore, it provides a stronger grip.
Steps On How to Drill Into Brick
Step 1: Mark the holes you want to drill.
Measure and mark the location of the holes you plan to drill with bricks or mortar with a pencil. Then, hold the TV mounting brackets, artwork, shelf, or template for whatever you want to hang directly over the signs to check the hole locations.
Step 2: Prepare a drill stop that matches the required hole depth.
The recommended hole depth can be found in the product’s instruction manual. Place the stop guide on the hammer drill. If you are using regular bits in wrapping several rounds of tape around the masonry bits in marking the recommended stop point in place of the stop accessory.
Step 3: Put on personal protective equipment.
Security First! Equip oneself with safety glasses, leather gloves, N95 respirators, and hearing protection. The dust from brick contains crystalline silicon dioxide that is released into the air when drilling bricks. A small amount is enough to inhale to cause health risks. Wearing an N95 respirator throughout the drilling and cleaning process is critical to avoid severe lung scarring and other damage, as this type of product filters out at least 95 percent of airborne particles.
If you are using a ladder, make sure it is level, and the legs are on a hard surface. Next, get into a position where you can apply a lot of pressure to the end of the hammer bit while keeping it still.
Step 4: Place the pilot bit perpendicular to the wall and drill at low speed.
Insert the pilot drill into the hammer bit. Set the bit at low speed and hold the bit with both hands, one with the pistol grip and the other with the auxiliary handle.
Make sure the bit is level and completely perpendicular to the wall.
Drill the pilot hole with enough force to begin the exercise. When the test bit begins to drift away from the specified location, reboot to the correct location.
Change the pressure force until you find the point where the piece bites into the brick. Then, using the same compression force, drill the pilot hole to the recommended depth.
Step 5: Using the larger masonry drill, drill the pilot hole made in the previous step.
Replace the package. Recheck the drilling to ensure it is level and vertical. Then continue to drill to the correct depth.
Step 6: Using compressed air to remove the well.
Use compressed air to remove any traces of brick dust or mortar from the hole. Leaving dust in the hole will reduce the clamping force of the wall anchors and screws you use.
Step 7: Install the wall bracket.
Insert wall anchors designed to support the item’s full weight and secure the wall hanging or external fixation with screws.
Step 8: Thoroughly clean the work area.
Clean up large mortar or brick chips with a broom and shovels while eye protection and respirator are still in place. Clean up the remaining dust with a vacuum cleaner at your store equipped with a pre-filter. Or mop the floor and rinse the mop.
After cleaning the construction site, take off your outdoor shoes and blow out the dust with compressed air. Then wash your clothes and shower to prevent quartz dust from spreading around your home.
Conclusion
Drilling the wall doesn’t necessarily require experience, but it does require preparation. If you want to get it right, you need to take the proper steps. I hope this quick guide has helped you to do it successfully.