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 1.1. Identify and mark drilling point.png

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 2.1 Attach 3mm masonry bit.png Step 2.2. Select slow speed on your drill.png Step 2.3 Select the hammer function.png Step 2.4. Drill pilot hole in brick.png Step 2.5. Change to 8mm masonry drill bit.png

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.

Step 3.1. Match wall anchor to drill bit.png Step 3.2. Use tape to mark depth.png Step 3.3. Dynabolt, plastic plug and AnkaScrew lined up.png Step 3.4. Dynabolt in brick hole.png Step 3.5. Plastic plug positioned in drill hole.png Step 3.6. Attach hook using a cordless drill.png Step 3.7. AnkaScrew drilled into brick hole.png Step 3.8. All three wall anchors driven in.png Step 3.9. All three hooks installed.png Step 3.10 Hang items from brick wall.png

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

Step 1.1. Identify and mark drilling point.png Step 2.1 Attach 3mm masonry bit.png Step 2.2. Select slow speed on your drill.png Step 2.3 Select the hammer function.png Step 2.4. Drill pilot hole in brick.png Step 2.5. Change to 8mm masonry drill bit.png Step 3.1. Match wall anchor to drill bit.png Step 3.2. Use tape to mark depth.png Step 3.3. Dynabolt, plastic plug and AnkaScrew lined up.png Step 3.4. Dynabolt in brick hole.png Step 3.5. Plastic plug positioned in drill hole.png Step 3.6. Attach hook using a cordless drill.png Step 3.7. AnkaScrew drilled into brick hole.png Step 3.8. All three wall anchors driven in.png Step 3.9. All three hooks installed.png Step 3.10 Hang items from brick wall.png