Learn how to drill into concrete with this simple step-by-step guide
Don't let a little concrete cause you to hit the wall on a home project. Learning how to drill into concrete can help you complete a host of new DIY tasks. If you have concrete walls, for instance, installing new fixtures will take a bit more effort, but can pay off in some beautiful new home decor. Drilling into concrete can seem like a challenge, but the right tools and a little prep will make the job totally doable.
Drilling into concrete isn't a walk in the park, but you can do it. A special hammer drill will make the job much easier, but you can still get the job done with a regular old drill, a masonry bit, plus some extra elbow grease and a little patience.
When working with concrete, there are a few safety tips to keep in mind to ensure a hazard-free project from start to finish:
Wear safety goggles and a dust mask.
Only use carbide-tipped masonry drill bits.
Make sure there aren't any utility lines around the drilling location.
Secure the area you're drilling into so it won't slip during the project.
Maintain a firm grip on the drill at all times to further prevent slipping.
Remove dust and debris throughout the drilling process.
Take periodic drilling breaks and use cold water to prevent the bit from overheating.
For the easiest go of it, you’ll want to rent or buy a masonry drill capable of safely drilling into a concrete slab, drilling into a concrete floor, or drilling into a cinder block. Hammer drills are ideal drills for concrete because they provide stability and efficiency for this type of project.
You’ll also want to be sure you know what you’re doing before drilling into concrete. Only tackle this DIY if you’re confident you can do so safely and if you have experience using a drill.
Start by measuring out the exact spot where you'll be drilling in your concrete. Do your homework ahead of time to ensure there's nothing of infrastructural importance behind the concrete that will be disturbed by drilling, including things like electrical work, ductwork, and pipes.
Not sure what's on the other side? Have a masonry expert come out to confirm that you're all clear. Mark the drilling spot with a paint crayon or lumber marker to ensure it doesn't smudge away.
After marking and measuring the hole, make sure to put on your safety goggles to protect your eyes from concrete dust and debris. It's also a good idea to wear a dust mask to prevent concrete particles and dust from entering your lungs. Then, grab your drill and proceed to the next step.
For this step, you want to set the depth stop on your drill to be 1/4-inch longer than the depth of your soon-to-be hole. If you're using an older drill that doesn't have a built-in depth guide, use the hack of wrapping a small sliver of masking tape around your bit at the intended depth mark. You're now ready to fit your masonry bit to the hammer drill.
Most concrete screws you buy at the store will provide the necessary drill bit in the packaging. You will need to purchase the corresponding bit if it's not included with your purchase. It's actually a good idea to purchase some extra ones simply because they can wear out quickly when you drill holes in concrete.
Get in a stable position to begin drilling. The drill should always remain in the perpendicular position while you drill. While gripping the drill with one hand, place the drill tip on the drill mark you made with your marker.
Begin with your drill at the lowest possible speed. You can drill forward using very steady, light pressure without any force. You want to drill no deeper than 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch down at this point. Stop the drill once you get there. Finally, clear out any dust you've created that is obscuring the new hole.
If you're satisfied with the guide you’ve created, put the drill in the pilot hole. While you'll want to begin pushing forward with consistent light pressure once you start the drill, you can increase the speed from slow to medium at this point. Pulling the drill out periodically can help clear concrete debris from the hole.
If you're hanging heavy objects from the concrete holes you drilled, then it's a good idea to add some anchors. Concrete anchors provide enhanced stability. After drilling the hole, simply use a mallet or light taps from a hammer to gently drive them all the way in until they're flush with the wall.
After drilling the hole, continue to wear your safety goggles and grab a can of compressed air. The best air compressors for this step will have a blow gun attachment that makes it easy to direct the air. Point the air compressor at the hole you drilled and blow directly into it, removing any remaining dust and debris. You can continue to repeat this step until you remove all the dust.
Stop the drill if you feel an obstruction. Do not try to "power through" the obstruction because applying too much pressure can break your drill. You'll want to insert a masonry nail to allow for the nail tip to touch the blockage.
Next, tap the nail with a hammer until the obstruction is broken up. Do this gently enough to avoid driving the nail in fully. Finally, you can retrieve the nail to return to drilling.
Concrete has advantages and uses. So many surfaces in your home can be made of concrete, including walls, slabs, and cinder blocks. You’ll need to tackle each differently.
The risk you run drilling into reinforced poured concrete walls is hitting the rebar, or steel reinforcing rod. Cutting through rebar is not advisable, even if you have the right tools. Rebar spacing is about 12 inches, so if you've just started drilling and find you're hitting the rebar, it's best to move over a couple of inches to avoid it altogether. Poured and reinforced concrete is tough, so a hammer drill will make the job go much faster.
If you have cinder block walls, you're in luck. Cinder blocks are much easier to drill through than poured concrete. A regular drill with a concrete or masonry bit should do the trick. Just take your time and be sure not to overheat your bit.
If you need to drill cores from a concrete floor to install posts or anything wider than 2 inches, it's best to hire a masonry contractor or a handyperson. For less than 2 inches, you can use a regular drill with a core bit. Do not use a hammer drill since these are not designed for hammering.
The average hourly cost for a masonry expert around the country is $40 to $110. While this is a relatively inexpensive project to tackle on your own, it's important to consider your comfort level when it comes to driving a high-powered drill into a hard surface.
Concrete provides a lot of pushback, so you need to be strong enough to apply pressure to get a “bite” with your drill. If not, you could end up scarring or cracking the concrete, which definitely won’t look nice.
Scott Dylan Westerlund contributed to this piece.
I am highly satisfied with the window replacement service I received; the professionals from Savvy Exteriors were punctual and did an amazing job that exceeded my expectations.
Savvy ExteriorsPromptly arrived for quoting! Demonstrated superb customer service, affordable pricing, and completed service swiftly! Looking forward to the spring for our service!
All Star Paving and SealingExcellent, Prompt, Courteous Service!!! They were super friendly and quite personable. I felt very comfortable with the gentlemen that did the installation. They installed it exactly where I asked them to and they did an excellent job!! I loved their service so much.
Tether HouseSupreme Brick & Chimney is one of the best service providers I’ve interacted with. Extremely efficient, knowledgeable, and thorough. They took the time to walk me through their detailed full-service inspection and were extremely professional. Not to mention their turnaround time was...
Supreme brick & chimneyAce Fireplace Services' chimney sweep service is truly exceptional. They used advanced technology to ensure a thorough cleaning process, and my chimney has never looked better. I highly recommend their services.
Ace Fireplace ServicesFlawless finish and exceptional service. Custom Paint Jobs LLC is the only choice for me.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCGreat customer service. The owner Ilia was wonderful to work with. Would definitely recommend this company.
Window Depot USA of Central OhioI definitely recommend Ramonaâ s cleaning service! I have booked services with her many times and she arrives on time, ready to work and provides a great service.
Your Cleaning Solutions LLCExcellent experience! Left my place looking great. Friendly customer service too. Would recommend!
The service was great. Overall experience amazing. From initial call to completion, it was under 2 hours.
Precision Overhead Garage Door ServiceFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Drilling a well is no small feat. You’ll need to plan for excavating, a pump, and more. This guide will help you estimate and manage your well drilling costs.
Time to get rid of that old chipped and crumbling walkway? Concrete removal costs can add up, but you have options to simplify the process. Learn more here.
Need to breathe new life into your exterior stoop? Use this guide on concrete step repair cost to see the price of a professional repair.
Concrete resurfacing is a much more affordable option than replacing a slab. Learn how long concrete resurfacing lasts and if it’s a better option for you.
DIY mudjacking is an advanced task, but learning how to raise a concrete slab is great to know for many scenarios. Let's take a look at how to DIY mudjack.
Learn how to drill into stucco safely and efficiently—and without causing damage—by using the right types of drill bits and screws.
