How to drill into brick

[EricL]

Difficulty: Beginner

Hang photos, mirrors or other objects securely from a brick wall using wall anchors and hooks.

This guide will show you how to drill a hole into a brick wall and install three different types of wall anchors. We will be using a single brick as an example.

As this project involves power tools, please follow all safety guidelines provided by manufacturers and use the recommended protective gear, including safety glasses and a face mask.

Steps

Step 1

Identify and mark the location of your hole.

Determine where you want to drill a hole in your brick wall. It’s best to place the hole in the centre of a brick. Holes closer to a brick’s sides may split the brick when a heavy weight is placed on it.

Place a dot where you plan on drilling. If drilling more than one hole in a single brick, please ensure the holes are spaced at least 40mm apart.

Step 2

Drill into the brick.

Use a drill with a hammer function to drill into the brick. Hammer drills rotate the drill bit and have a percussive action that chips away material. Check out our guide How to choose the right drill for the job for more information.

Attach a 3mm masonry drill bit to your drill. Change the drill’s speed setting to slow and switch to hammer function. This function will help to break into the surface of the brick. The slow speed but high torque will help you drill easily into the brick without overheating your drill bit.

Position the drill bit into the centre dot you marked in Step 1 and drill. Do the same for any extra holes you wish to drill.

Now use the 8mm masonry drill bit to make the hole bigger.

        

Step 3

Install wall anchors.

Wall anchors are an easy, cost-effective and reliable way to hang objects from brick walls. DynaBolts, plastic plugs and AnkaScrews are among the most used wall anchors. Check out the guide How to hang just about anything for more advice on choosing wall anchors.

Match the width of your chosen wall anchor to your masonry drill bit. Now place your preferred anchor next to your masonry drill bit. Mark its depth on the masonry drill bit using electrical tape. This will prevent you from drilling completely through the brick. 

If you’re installing a DynaBolt, push and wiggle it into the hole until it reaches the nut. Use a hammer to slowly tap it into place. Remove the nut on top and position a hook in place. Tighten the nut using an adjustable wrench.

If you’re installing a plastic plug, use a hammer to tap the plug into the hole. Place the screw through the hook’s hole and then tighten it into the plug using a drill.

If you’re installing an AnkaScrew, place it into the hook’s mounting hole. Use an adjustable wrench to anchor it into place by screwing it into the hole.

You have successfully drilled a hole into your brick wall and installed a wall anchor and a hook. You can now securely hang your desired object from the wall.

                  

Materials

• Plastic plug, like Ramset 8 x 50mm Universal Anchor - 4 Pack 

• DynaBolt, like Ramset 8 x 40mm DynaBolt Plus Hex Nut Bolt

• AnkaScrew, like Ramset 8 x 60mm Galvanised AnkaScrew Masonry Anchor

• Hooks, like Everhang Medium Zinc Plated General Duty J Bolt Hook

• Electrical tape.

Tools

• Hammer 
• Black marker 
• Hammer-function drill, like Ozito PXC 18V Hammer Drill
• 3mm masonry drill bit 
• 8mm masonry drill bit 
• Adjustable wrench 
• Safety gear, including safety glasses and face mask.

Images

                              

[tal_itha]

I am using a corded ryobi rotary hammer drill, and a masonry bit, but it still takes forever to drill into brick - probably about 25 minutes of active drilling for a 50mm hole, but about an hour all up as the bit gets so hot so quickly, and I need to let it cool down.

what am I doing wrong?

[EricL]

Hi @tal_itha 

If you are drilling into solid brick it does tend to take a bit longer. However, I suggest changing your drill bit and investing in a Heavy-duty masonry drill bit like the Kango or Diablo set. It's possible that your current masonry bit has overheated and has been damaged. This means that you are grinding away with a smooth head and that's why it's taking so long to make progress.

I suggest trying this technique, when you've replaced your masonry drill bit, I suggest doing a pushing and pulling motion with your drill. I recommend 3 seconds of pushing contact with the brick and pull back two seconds to let it cool off. When your drill motor or drill bit starts to have a burning smell, that is an indication that both parts have been pushed too hard and I suggest stopping to let your equipment to cool down.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[tal_itha]

thankyou @EricL , I'll try that technique next time!

[Tyro]

Hi @EricL 

As always, thank you so much for your excellent lesson!  I have been considering drilling into brick, but feel much better now that you have provided set of a well detailed instructions with such good photos!  They  are a tremendous help to a visual learner like me!  Thank you for the time and energy you put into helping me (and other nervous beginners!) get the  confidence to make a start on gaining new skills! 🙏🏻 🤗

Tyro

[EricL]

Hi @Tyro 

I'm glad the guide helped. My only other tip is to use a volunteer brick lying around so that you can practice drilling into brick before you fully commit to drilling into your wall.  

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[micsul]

Hi
Why would you not drill into the cement?
Thanks

[EricL]

Hello @micsul 

Thanks for sharing your question about drilling into cement. The mortar used to join the bricks together is very strong in holding them together. However, it does not react well when expansion forces are applied to it. They tend to break and crumble, especially when weight is applied to it.

Can you please tell us what are you mounting into the brick wall? Once we find out what you're hanging, we should be able to make recommendations on how to proceed. 

Eric

[micsul]

Hi @Eric  
The timber I am attaching to the wall of the house won't be for support. All 4 posts will be sitting on stirrups.
I am just going to attach part of the decking to the house so that it remains upright and not pull away from the house.
There are no decking plans per se. 
Will send a couple of progressive pictures when the project is done 

micsul

Hello @micsul 

I suggest having a quick look at this discussion - How to build deck ledgers against double brick boundary wall? by @Avago. I recommend adding more posts to your deck rather than placing a lateral load onto your brick wall. Brick walls are designed to hold vertical loads but not horizontal ones.

With enough posts holding your deck there should be minimal movement of your decking frame. Can you please post a photo of your decking plans? This will give our members a better idea of its layout.  

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[EricL]

Hi @micsul 

If you do decide to anchor to the brick wall, I propose using the Ramset Chemset:

• Ramset 300ml Chemset UltraFix Plus
  
   
• Ramset Multifit Sieve - 4 Pack
  
   
• Ramset M8 x 110mm Galvanised Anchor Stud - 4 Pack

Here is a handy step-by-step guide:

If you need further assistance, please let me know.

Eric