Topic 'Re: drilling into brick/mortar' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.com

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:13:40 EDT

Draiman posted : The bricks on my house are solid but it was built in 1960. Those were some tough bricks!

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:08:25 EDT

jack b posted : It's probably hollow unless it's old, the lower "brick" (above) is a paver.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:41:33 EDT

sfogliatelle posted : Hadn't given that any consideration, garys_2k . I have no earthly idea which type of brick is on that carport.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:34:22 EDT

garys_2k posted : I usually drill into the mortar joints, but I've never hung anything really heavy from brick. I do think it depends on the bricks, though. The type with the holes may not support much if the expansion fitting was installed right into the hole, you would only have the narrow bit of brick holding up the load. In this case I'd think the mortar would provide more strength.

If dealing with a solid brick I'd expect drilling into the brick, as opposed to the mortar joint, would give better support.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:33:44 EDT

sfogliatelle posted :

said by nunya:

I'd spend the $20 at Harbor Freight.

HF does have 'em for a pube under $20. Just my luck if I go that route and finish this job I probably wouldn't have additional need for it until day 93---right after their warranty expires!

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:40:57 EDT

Draiman posted : It depends. It's a 30-45 minute drive each way so a 60-90 minute drive round trip for me. I could have the entire job done cheaper and faster. Different strokes for different folks. That's what these forums are all about. Getting different view points on a single topic. :)
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Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:17:30 EDT

nunya posted : I'd spend the $20 at Harbor Freight. Star drills are a PITA.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:14:30 EDT

Draiman posted : The $5 solution is great nunya.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 12:47:47 EDT

Inssomniak posted : ^^^ This

I have one of these in the toolbox.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:38:53 EDT

nunya posted : Before hammer drills, we used a star drill. Austinloop will know exactly what I'm talking about.
Ma Bell was even "nice" enough to buy us handles for them.
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Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:10:41 EDT

Draiman posted : Like anything else you have to know how to use a masonry bit with a normal drill to make it work. You can't just pull the trigger and push the drill. You need to simulate the hammer action that is automatic in hammer drill but you can accomplish the same task with either it's just speed. A hammer drill will do it in a minute and a normal drill will do it in 2-3 minutes. Also a cheap masonry bit won't do it you need a good carbide-tipped masonry bit.

"If using a standard drill, pull the drill out and back in every ten seconds. This acts as a hammer to get a bite on the concrete.
If progress is slow, you hit an aggregate. Insert a masonry nail, hit with hammer to break the aggregate."

It's crazy how we forget how this stuff was done before the newest tool was invented. I do the same thing with an impact driver.
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Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:43:35 EDT

Austinloop posted :

said by Inssomniak:

said by Draiman:

For softer bricks this is fine, regular drill will do it, just takes a bit longer.

But for poured concrete or very hard bricks, this does not work :(

My techs have used hammer drills for a number of years to set relay racks and battery stands. I introduced my son to hammer drills when it was necessary to anchor a gun safe in his garage. We tried the concrete bit with a regular drill, didn't go any where after several minutes. Rented a hammer drill and job was done in about 3 minutes. Hammer drills are the way to go.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:18:19 EDT

Draiman posted :

said by Inssomniak:

said by Draiman:

I just drilled some bricks this Summer to install some of those hooks. All I used was a normal drill with a masonry bit. No issues at all drilling into the bricks.

For softer bricks this is fine, regular drill will do it, just takes a bit longer.

But for poured concrete or very hard bricks, this does not work :(

What did they do before hammer drills were invented? Like lots of things a specialty tool make life easier but isn't required. There's a ton of ways to skin a cat.

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IF YOU FIND ANY MISTAKES IN MY WORK...Please consider that they are there for a purpose. I try to please everyone and there is always someone looking for mistakes!

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:12:36 EDT

Inssomniak posted :

said by Draiman:

I just drilled some bricks this Summer to install some of those hooks. All I used was a normal drill with a masonry bit. No issues at all drilling into the bricks.

For softer bricks this is fine, regular drill will do it, just takes a bit longer.

But for poured concrete or very hard bricks, this does not work :(
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Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:10:20 EDT

Inssomniak posted :

said by nunya:

Do it the right way and mount them in the brick. Mortar will crumble and become loose.
Use lag shields for the bike hooks.

+++++11

Never use mortar.
I drill into brick every day, to hang wireless equipment, NEVER use the mortar.

Heavy stuff I use those anchors that have a sleeve that expands when you tighten it into the brick. They will hold a house up.
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Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 07:37:38 EDT

Draiman posted : I just drilled some bricks this Summer to install some of those hooks. All I used was a normal drill with a masonry bit. No issues at all drilling into the bricks. After that I tossed some anchors in the holes then attached the hooks. I can't see spending extra money on a tool for a single task unless it's a major task. Just to drill 6-10 holes a normal drill is fine unless you want a hammer drill for something else.
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IF YOU FIND ANY MISTAKES IN MY WORK...Please consider that they are there for a purpose. I try to please everyone and there is always someone looking for mistakes!

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:40:58 EDT

alkizmo posted :

said by sfogliatelle:

Good call, jack b . I'd read about the noise level of hammer drills. Will get some disposable earplugs.

Never underestimate the noise of a hammer drill.

One time I was using it in my backyard while there was a baseball game going on in the park behind my house.

I hit something hollow with my hammer drill while using a hole saw bit. The noise caused was extremely loud and echoed in the air. The baseball game spectators stopped cheering/clapping for a couple of seconds. Good thing I wasn't actually visible from the park. God.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 23:51:31 EDT

sfogliatelle posted : Good call, jack b . I'd read about the noise level of hammer drills. Will get some disposable earplugs.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 23:48:34 EDT

sfogliatelle posted : Good tips. Thanks, robbin .

It's true and a shame what you said about how things work these days and their frustratingly inconsistent quality.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 21:24:24 EDT

nunya posted : Do it the right way and mount them in the brick. Mortar will crumble and become loose.
Use lag shields for the bike hooks.
--
If someone refers to herself / himself as a "guru", they probably aren't.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 21:17:56 EDT

robbin posted :

said by sfogliatelle:

Given what was mentioned, what would you suggest as the best way to keep the hooks in? Liquid Nails? Anchors?

I always use epoxy. You can get the little double syringe (maybe 5 oz) which does a number of holes at the big box specifically made for concrete -- it works well. Tape and mask the area off and use a little stick to work the epoxy back in the hole and those storage hooks will be solid for a very long time. Similarly, use short pieces of all thread for larger hooks. Make sure that you buy good hooks so you don't have to replace them. The way things work these days nothing is ever the same and you don't want to drill more holes over time if it is not necessary.

If you are only drilling a few holes in the mortar then a new carbide bit in a regular drill is all you need. Blow them out with a compressor, can of air, etc and you will have a much better bond.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:48:57 EDT

cdru posted :

said by robbin:

said by nunya:

Always drill the brick, not the mortar.

Drill the mortor, not the brick!

Didn't we already have this fight in another thread? It's like deja vu all over again.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:48:38 EDT

jack b posted :

said by sfogliatelle:

besides some basic safety items like glasses and a mask
Any suggestions?

Hammer drills can be pretty loud, in addition to goggles and dust mask, use some hearing protection. You don't need expensive ear muffs, inexpensive throwaway foam earplugs work fine for short-term use.
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Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:22:15 EDT
sfogliatelle posted :
said by robbin:
Could you give some more details on the hooks and hangers you want to install as well as what they are intended to support.

Attached are sorta kinda what I've been thinking of anchoring into either the bricks or mortar.

The heaviest item to be hung is an aluminum extension ladder. Right now it's being temporarily suspended by two bungee cords. I'd like to be able to put some light-duty shelves up against one of the brick walls. Nothing too terribly heavy; the last thing I want is to cause any instability on the outer walls.

Given what was mentioned, what would you suggest as the best way to keep the hooks in? Liquid Nails? Anchors?

Assorted Storage Hooks_1

Assorted Storage Hooks_3

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:56:57 EDT
kherr posted : Is that a battery or corded??

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:42:08 EDT
alkizmo posted : Splurge on a basic 80$ DeWalt hammer drill.
It doubles as a normal drill AND electric screw driver.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:22:54 EDT
robbin posted :
said by nunya:
Always drill the brick, not the mortar.

Drill the mortor, not the brick!

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:16:38 EDT
nunya posted : You can get a hammer drill at Harbor Freight for $20. Beats renting. It won't be a quality drill by any means, but should get you through one job. Any extra time is a bonus.

Always drill the brick, not the mortar.
--
If someone refers to herself / himself as a "guru", they probably aren't.

Re: drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:12:16 EDT
robbin posted : Could you give some more details on the hooks and hangers you want to install as well as what they are intended to support.

drilling into brick/mortar

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:55:59 EDT
sfogliatelle posted : I'd like to attach some hooks and hangers to the exterior of a car port that's bricked, but don't think my aged, homeowner grade 8V Black & Decker cordless drill is going to be of much help, even with carbide and/or diamond tips. The holes needed should be about 3/8 inches in diameter. Have read differing opinions on drilling into the mortar vs. the bricks.

Am thinking of renting a hammer drill but besides some basic safety items like glasses and a mask I don't know what else I'd need for the job, like adhesives and such.

Any suggestions?