Making a hole in the wall using a drill may seem daunting. Fortunately, this task is not a difficult one as long as you take precautions and use the right equipment. Before starting, select a drill bit that matches the type of wall to be drilled. Also determine the right point to make the hole, with a location far from the power line. When you are ready to drill the hole, run the drill holding it firmly and firmly.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Drill
Step 1. Use a drill bit for gypsum (drywall) if the walls are made of sheetrock or plasterboard (plasterboard)
Before drilling, inspect the wall and find out what material it is made of. If the walls are smooth and sound hollow when tapped, they may be gypsum, such as sheetrock or plasterboard. To make holes in this type of wall, you will need to use a gypsum drill bit.
- Gypsum drill bits and other types can be found at hardware or hardware stores.
- If you are making holes in the plasterboard wall to hang something, it is recommended that you insert the gypsum anchor screws using an electric screwdriver for greater security.
- If you want to drill a post that is behind the gypsum, use a drill bit for wood.
Step 2. Use a brick drill bit if the walls are brick, stone, or cement
If the walls are made of hard materials, such as brick, block, cement, or stone, use a brick drill bit. This drill bit is made of mild steel with a tungsten carbide tip. This material can penetrate hard walls easily.
You may need to use a hammer drill to drill through the walls
Tip:
If the walls are painted or plastered, use a metal or gypsum drill bit to drill holes in them. Replace with a brick drill bit if this outer layer has been penetrated by the drill.
Step 3. Use a spur point drill bit to make holes in the wooden wall
To drill holes in the wooden planks, use a spur point drill bit. This object is also known as a wood drill bit. This drill bit is made with a sharp tip to keep the drill from turning when it penetrates the wood.
A wood drill bit can also be used to drill holes in posts behind hollow walls
Step 4. Use a ceramic drill bit to punch holes in glass, tiles, and ceramics
To punch holes in fragile materials, such as ceramics, tiles, and glass, you'll need to use a special material that can penetrate them and not break them. This drill bit has a lance-shaped carbide tip with a straight bar. This allows the drill to penetrate this difficult-to-drill material smoothly.
You can also use a brick drill bit with a carbide tip to drill holes in the ceramic wall
Part 2 of 3: Determining and Marking Drilling Points
Step 1. Avoid punching holes above or below electrical switches and outlets
Drilling a power cord by accident can be very dangerous and cost a lot of money. You can prevent this from happening by not drilling just above or below the outlets, light switches, and other electronic equipment that are clearly visible on the wall. If you find a switch or outlet upstairs, do not drill directly under it or the floor below.
- You can also use a power cord detector to prevent unwanted occurrences. Some electronic stud finders are equipped with cable detectors.
- If you do have to make a hole near a stun-containing cable, first turn off the electricity to the area to be treated.
- If you are drilling into a bathroom wall or other location near a water pipe or radiator, you may need to contact a plumber first. They can help you avoid accidentally drilling the plumbing.
Step 2. Find the posts if you want to drill into the gypsum
If the walls are sheetrock or plasterboard, you should look for posts if the holes will be used to support heavy objects (such as shelves, mirrors, or large paintings). The easiest way to locate the stud is to use an electronic stud finder. Turn on the stud finder and move it along the wall until you hear a beep or flashing light indicating that it has found the stud. Move the tool back and forth to determine the position of the edge of the pole.
- The pillars mentioned in this article are wooden beams that form the support structure of a gypsum wall.
- If you don't have a stud finder, you can find the stud by tapping the wall. The area between the poles will make a hollow sound, while the area with the pole will make a denser sound.
Do you know?
In most houses, each pole is usually about 40 cm apart. Once you have found one pole, you can estimate the position of the next pole based on this distance.
Step 3. Use a pencil to mark the area you want to drill
After determining the point you want to drill, mark the place. Use a pencil or other tool to make an X-shaped dot or stroke where you want to drill.
- If you want to make 2 or more holes side by side, use a spirit level so that the holes are aligned with each other.
- If you want to drill in ceramic, tile, or glass, mark the drilling point with an X using masking tape. In addition to being a marker, the tape will prevent the drill bit from slipping or breaking the tile when you start drilling.
Part 3 of 3: Making Holes and Adding Screws or Anchors
Step 1. Mark the depth of the hole by applying tape to the drill bit
If you want to punch holes in the wall to a certain depth (for example, to install screws or anchors of a certain length), measure the length to match the drill bit. Mark the depth of the hole by attaching thin tape around the drill bit.
- Some drills are equipped with a depth gauge that can be used to mark the desired depth.
- If you want to install screws or anchors, you must also choose the appropriate diameter.
Tip:
If you don't know the exact drill bit size or depth, check the package of the screw or anchor you purchased to see if it contains the information you want.
Step 2. Wear protective goggles and a dust mask before drilling
This process can cause a lot of dirt and dust. Wear proper safety equipment for the eyes, nose and lungs. Purchase protective goggles and a standard dust mask at a hardware or building store before you start drilling.
Before starting, also check that the drill bit is installed correctly
Step 3. Place the drill bit at the point you want to drill and press the trigger button
When you're ready, place the tip of the drill bit where you want to punch holes. Make sure the drill bit is level and is at a 90° angle to the wall. Gently press the trigger button to run the drill.
- If drilling into plasterboard walls, you may need to make a small indentation with a hammer and countersink before drilling to guide the drill bit.
- If you're drilling tile, you'll need to do it with a lot of patience and firm pressure to get started. You can feel and hear the difference once the drill bit has penetrated the top layer of the tile and has started drilling the bottom layer.
Step 4. Increase the speed of the drill while continuing to press
When the drill starts to penetrate the wall, press the trigger button a little harder and apply firm, steady pressure to the drill to push it in. Continue drilling until you reach the desired depth.
After reaching the desired depth, do not stop the drill, but slow down the rotation
Step 5. Pull out the drill bit keeping the drill on when you have reached the desired depth
With the drill still running, gently remove the drill bit from the hole you just made. If the drill is turned off when you pull it out of the hole, the drill bit may break.
Be sure to always keep the drill straight when you pull it out of the hole
Step 6. Insert anchors if you want to use them
If you want to install a plug or anchor, insert the anchor into the hole and tap it carefully with a rubber mallet. Make sure the anchors are securely in place before you place any screws or hooks into the holes.
