Have you wanted to hang that new artwork or bathroom shelf in your house, but having to drill through a wall makes you feel uncomfortable? Don’t be concerned; making holes in walls doesn’t have to be overly tricky. In this post on our blog, we will walk you through the process step by step.
We will cover everything, from the type of drill and bit most suitable for the task to advice on how to avoid injury when boring through walls, so there is no need for concern on your part. If you follow our directions, you’ll quickly find that working on do-it-yourself chores around the house is easier than ever.
Step-by-Step Guide to Drill into Wall:
Step 1: Identify and Mark the Locations of the Holes that will be Drilled
Utilizing a pencil, take the necessary measurements and mark the spots where you will drill holes into the brick or mortar. The next step is to double-check that the hole positions are correct by holding the TV mounting brackets, art, shelf unit, or pattern for whatever you wish to hang right over the markings.
Step 2: Adjust the Stop on Your Drill so that it Corresponds to the Desired Depth of the Hole
Check the instruction booklet that came with the product to find the appropriate hole depth, then adjust the stop guide on the hammer drill. Suppose you are not utilizing a hammer drill but rather a standard drill.
In that case, you may indicate the suggested stopping position on the masonry bit without using a stop guide attachment by wrapping several loops of masking tape around the bit.
Step 3: Dress in Protective Gear
Prioritize protection! Prepare yourself for the task by donning a mask, work gloves, eyewear, and hearing protection. When you start to drill through brick, dust containing crystalline silica will be released into the air since it includes brick and mortar.
It only takes inhaling a little quantity for a potential threat to one’s health. Because this kind of solution will filter at least 95 percent of particles in the air, using an N95 respirator during the entirety of the drilling and cleanup procedure is necessary to prevent significant lung scarring and other types of damage.
If you’re going to be utilizing a ladder, check that it’s level and that its legs are resting on something stable. The next step is to assume a stance that will enable you to exert considerable forward pressure on the business end of the hammer drill while still preserving your equilibrium.
Step 4: Put the Pilot Drill Bit in a Perpendicular Angle to the Wall and Drill gently
The hammer drill requires the pilot drill bit to be inserted. Get the drill going slowly and use both hands to grasp the pistol grip and the supplemental handle.
Begin drilling the pilot hole by applying the minimum force necessary to get the drill bit started. It is required to restart at the correct spot if the pilot bit begins to “wander” away from the location that has been marked.
Adjust the amount of force used to the push until you locate the sweet spot at which the bit penetrates the brick. The pilot hole should be drilled to the specified depth using constant pushing effort.
Step 5: Insert a More Significant Masonry Bit Into the Pilot Hole You Established in the Step Before This One, and Continue Drilling Into the Hole
Make the switch to the more significant bit. Once more, check to see that the drill is level and perpendicular before inserting the drill bit into the pilot hole and continuing to drill until you have reached the desired depth.
Step 6: Clean out the Drilled hole using Compressed Air
Utilizing compressed air, clear the hole of any residues of dust containing brick or mortar. If you leave dust in the spot, the screws and wall anchors you insert will reduce the ability to keep the wall in place.
Step 7: Install the Wall Anchor
Wall anchors intended to support the entire weight of the object should be installed, and screws should be used to mount the wall hanging or outside fixture.
Step 8: Meticulously Clean up the Workspace
Clean up any big mortar or brick chips using a broom and dustpan while keeping your eye protection and mask on at all times. Utilizing your shop vacuum outfitted with a pre-filter, collect the residual particles of dust. Alternatively, you might mop the floor and then rinse the mop.
After cleaning the Jobsite, take your shoes off outdoors and use compressed air to blast the dust off your feet. After that, take a shower and wash your clothing to ensure that the silica dust does not spread around your home.
Things that Should be Done before Drilling Holes in your Walls
When you own a house, it’s typically necessary for you to have at least some fundamental abilities in do-it-yourself projects at some time. If you do this, you can do routine maintenance independently without constantly calling in the experts.
In addition, you can make modifications to your house, such as installing new shelves, hanging artwork, or installing a new shower rail. Nevertheless, regardless of how straightforward an activity appears, you should always continue with extreme caution.
1. Keep an Eye Out for Any Wires:
When you drill into your walls, one of the most significant risks you face is the possibility of hitting a wire. At best, you have broken the circuit, and until it is rectified, you will be without power; at worst, this mistake can be fatal.
Repairing a damaged wire embedded in the wall is not easy, and you will need the assistance of a trained specialist to get the job done. In addition, they will need to open the wall to obtain access to the damaged wire, which is costly but also dirty and time-consuming.
When you look at the locations of your light switches and electrical outlets, you may get a decent indication of where cables are hiding in your home. Be careful to dig only a short distance from them since wires will likely be going in either a vertical or horizontal direction from them.
2. Watch Out for the Pipes:
Drilling into a water line won’t be a fatal mistake, but it will be expensive. When you strike a pipe, there is a possibility that you will be subjected to an infinite burst of high-pressure water, which, by the time you have turned off the mains, will have caused significant damage due to the overflow of water. You also run the risk of striking a gas line, which may be a very hazardous situation if a spark is produced.
Pipes are more difficult to trace than wires because their placement is sometimes less predictable. Every house is unique, and the lines inside may be made of metal or plastic, and they may be visible or concealed, depending on how old the house is. Look for pipes flowing through the building’s flooring and outside walls.
3. Be Aware of Potential Hazards and Take Measures to Eliminate Them:
The walls and flooring of the kitchen and bathroom are the rooms in the house most likely to have a substantial quantity of pipes and cables concealed within them.
If you want to hang a picture in your bedroom, which is located on the other side of the bathroom, you need to exercise extra caution since the bathroom walls may include various pipes. The situation is often even worse in kitchens, which may contain gas lines, water pipes, pipes for the central heating system, and cables.
Pipes and cables may be routed in an organized method in some of the other areas of the house. However, they can move in whatever direction they want within these chambers. Before beginning work, ensure the essential circuit breakers and the water and gas supplies have been turned off.
4. Get a Stud Finder:
You have a general concept of where to look for potential threats, but how can you be sure? You should invest in a stud finder; models in the higher price range can locate several materials, including plastic, metal, and wood.
You may use them to locate the studs you want to screw into for a more secure fitting and the pipes and cables in the wall.
Just move the gadget over the surface, and it will make a noise if something is hidden behind the wall. Be careful to test it first on all different materials, and examine the depth to which it will continue to detect objects.
In addition, if you need to screw in lengthy bolts or screws, it may be worthwhile to search both sides of the wall. Be sure to check on the batteries, as well; if they are becoming low, this might result in the gadget not functioning correctly.
5. Have an Awareness of the Components:
Think about the task at hand now that the working environment has been secure. You must be aware of the components that compose your walls to determine whether or not the activities you have planned can be carried out securely.
For instance, if you have recently acquired a gorgeous antique mirror but are concerned about its ability to support its weight, you should ensure that the wall you intend to hang it on is strong enough.
It is not suggested to attempt to fasten it to simply the drywall since it is not strong enough to support the weight of the picture frame unless you hang very lightweight picture frames. You may purchase drywall anchors to increase strength, but it is advisable to locate a stud to drill into for heavy things.
These anchors are available for purchase. When affixing anything to studs made of wood, make sure to drill holes first rather than directly driving in screws since this might cause the wood to splinter and makes the object less sturdy.
6. Ensure that You are Equipped Suitably for the Task at Hand:
Different materials demand different tools. You’ll get terrific fixing, for instance, if your walls, floors, or ceilings are made of masonry or concrete; nevertheless, you’ll need a more powerful drill and the appropriate drill bits.
Awareness of the distinctions between the many drill bits available for masonry, wood, and metal use is essential. To avoid cracking or chipping tiles while drilling into them, you will need a tile drill bit specifically designed for the job (usually one with a diamond tip).
Frequently Asked Questions:
Bottom Line:
So there you have it—your complete guide on how to drill into a wall. Whether hanging a picture or putting up some shelves, now you know how to get the job done right. Just be sure to take your time and use the proper tools, and you’ll be good to go.
