{"id":40,"date":"2019-07-30T15:19:24","date_gmt":"2019-07-30T18:19:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/powertoolbase.com\/?p=40"},"modified":"2022-11-18T13:47:34","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T16:47:34","slug":"should-i-drill-brick-or-mortar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/powertoolbase.com\/should-i-drill-brick-or-mortar\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Drill Brick or Mortar? (How-To Without Damage)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A question a lot of people don’t think about until they’re just about to drill into a brick wall is, which part should I drill into?<\/em> Is it best to drill into the brick or is it best to drill into the mortar?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As long as it’s in good condition, drilling into brick is best<\/strong>. It’s a lot stronger than mortar and can hold heavy objects such as televisions. Mortar should only be drilled if the brick is too fragile and susceptible to cracking. Unfortunately, mortar will only ever hold lightweight items securely.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But wait! What about shattering the brickwork? You’re right, that’s definitely an issue. Let’s look in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drilling brick vs mortar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You’ll read conflicting opinions on whether to drill into brick or mortar. The fact is, there’s no one set answer as there are a few factors to take into consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brick is definitely the better choice for heavy objects as it’s a stronger material than mortar. Brick is very strong and capable of supporting large items such as televisions, large paintings, or hanging baskets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether brick can handle being drilled into without cracking mainly comes down to the brick’s age and condition. Drilling a deep hole is problematic for fragile bricks as it weakens the bricks’ integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding expansion-style anchors will further increase the stress and can result in cracking. Cracking bricks when drilling can also be due to poor technique which we’ll look at later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your bricks contain chips, flakes, cracks, or spalling (“erosion”), then it’s best to avoid it or seek advice from a qualified builder. Also, inspect for water and fire damage too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust your instinct. If you think the brickwork isn’t up to it, then chances are it isn’t. If the brickwork is looking in good shape overall, then, with the correct technique, you’re good to go. It’s not as risky as people will have you believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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