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Message
Drilling into 65 year old brick
Posted on 9/18/26 at 2:55 pm
Posted on 9/18/26 at 2:55 pm
I'm installing stair rails at my mother's house. She's 91, but refuses to stop using the front door, although there's no reason for her to use other than being hard headed.
I have to drill 16 holes 2 1/2 inches deep into 65 year old brick (the steps are the same brick on the house). A 12x150mm hammer drill bit came with the rails.
I'm assuming i need a couple more bits in case one breaks? What type bit should i buy? Also anchors and screws (likely low quality) came with it, should i buy new of those?
She lives so far out in the woods they have to pump in sunshine, the nearest Lowes is 2 hours and the two hardware stores within 30 minutes keep banker's hours. I'll doing this on a weekend, so i need to have everything with me, plus backups. Using my old 18v Dewalt hammer drill for the project.
All advice is appreciated. You can call me a dumbass. I don't care. I've been called worse by better.
I have to drill 16 holes 2 1/2 inches deep into 65 year old brick (the steps are the same brick on the house). A 12x150mm hammer drill bit came with the rails.
I'm assuming i need a couple more bits in case one breaks? What type bit should i buy? Also anchors and screws (likely low quality) came with it, should i buy new of those?
She lives so far out in the woods they have to pump in sunshine, the nearest Lowes is 2 hours and the two hardware stores within 30 minutes keep banker's hours. I'll doing this on a weekend, so i need to have everything with me, plus backups. Using my old 18v Dewalt hammer drill for the project.
All advice is appreciated. You can call me a dumbass. I don't care. I've been called worse by better.
This post was edited on 9/19/26 at 4:54 pm
Posted on 9/18/26 at 3:03 pm to greenbean
If you have a hammer drill that will help tremendously with bit wear, just don't get it too hot.
Any Masonry bit would work.
What kind of anchors are they? Are they plastic or metal. Metal anchors will be stronger and hold better.
Any Masonry bit would work.
What kind of anchors are they? Are they plastic or metal. Metal anchors will be stronger and hold better.
Posted on 9/18/26 at 3:06 pm to greenbean
If this were my mother's house, my basic plan would be:
SDS-Plus rotary hammer + quality carbide bits + name-brand anchors + stainless/galvanized exterior hardware + anchor into brick rather than mortar + obsessive hole cleaning.
The dumbass move wouldn't be asking this question. The dumbass move would be trusting the no-name anchors that came in the box when Mom is going to put her full weight on the rail.
SDS-Plus rotary hammer + quality carbide bits + name-brand anchors + stainless/galvanized exterior hardware + anchor into brick rather than mortar + obsessive hole cleaning.
The dumbass move wouldn't be asking this question. The dumbass move would be trusting the no-name anchors that came in the box when Mom is going to put her full weight on the rail.
Posted on 9/18/26 at 3:11 pm to bbvdd
quote:
What kind of anchors are they? Are they plastic or metal. Metal anchors will be stronger and hold better.
Thin metal.
Posted on 9/18/26 at 3:12 pm to greenbean
I'm assuming drill into the brick itself, not the mortar?
Posted on 9/18/26 at 3:19 pm to greenbean
I prefer redhead sleeve anchors for brick. It should tell you on the package what bit to use.
Posted on 9/18/26 at 3:22 pm to LEASTBAY
quote:
I prefer redhead sleeve anchors for brick. It should tell you on the package what bit to use.
The bit came with it. How many more bits should I get? One or two? Any particular brand?
Posted on 9/18/26 at 3:23 pm to RoyalWe
Everything this fella said plus a little loctite or other strong adhesive
Posted on 9/18/26 at 3:57 pm to greenbean
Tapcon has been the best thing I have used for brick; no anchors needed.
They also sell bits for hammer drills along with them.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tapcon-1-4-in-x-2-1-4-in-Hex-Washer-Head-Black-Concrete-Anchors-8-Piece-24113/334278446
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tapcon-3-16-in-x-4-1-2-in-Steel-Carbide-Tip-Smooth-Shank-Masonry-Drill-Bit-1-Piece-11248/100156946?MERCH=REC-_-fbt_test-_-334278446-_-1-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a
They also sell bits for hammer drills along with them.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tapcon-1-4-in-x-2-1-4-in-Hex-Washer-Head-Black-Concrete-Anchors-8-Piece-24113/334278446
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tapcon-3-16-in-x-4-1-2-in-Steel-Carbide-Tip-Smooth-Shank-Masonry-Drill-Bit-1-Piece-11248/100156946?MERCH=REC-_-fbt_test-_-334278446-_-1-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a
Posted on 9/18/26 at 4:46 pm to mdomingue
I use tapcons almost exclusively.
Drill into the brick.
SDS rotary hammer is the best option, hammer drill will work, though a lot slower and likely to burn up more bits.
Drill into the brick.
SDS rotary hammer is the best option, hammer drill will work, though a lot slower and likely to burn up more bits.
Posted on 9/18/26 at 4:47 pm to greenbean
Buy all the extra shite and take back what you don't use. ie, get 3 bits, another box of screws, different anchors ect.
Just don't be a pos and try and take back stuff you already opened and used.
Just don't be a pos and try and take back stuff you already opened and used.
Posted on 9/18/26 at 4:50 pm to greenbean
Buy more than you need and then return them if you don't use them.
Posted on 9/18/26 at 8:12 pm to greenbean
If you get a different type of fastener make sure it's compatible with the metal of the railing
This post was edited on 9/18/26 at 8:13 pm
Posted on 9/18/26 at 8:24 pm to greenbean
My advice is not to anchor into brick. It’s not a structural member.
Posted on 9/19/26 at 12:45 am to greenbean
Whatever anchor system you use, make absolutely sure the hole you drill for it is clean of dust and loose particles. Compressed air and a nylon tube brush will go far to ensure the anchor actually works as intended, Harbor Freight has an airbrush cleaning kit of those brushes for $3 and I keep a set with each SDS hammer I own.
Posted on 9/19/26 at 9:15 am to greenbean
You have lots of good advice already. My successful experience also is using tapcon in a relatively soft brick to mount shutters. Older lead anchors loosened and started to pull out. Depending on how easily you can get a clean hole in the brick, start with a smaller diameter bit then redrill at required size.
Be sure to get a head style that looks good especially if rail holes are recessed. Be careful about over torquing or you will strip out the threads the tapcon cuts. Using a hand wrench/ is safer/slower than power.
I agree with the warning about brick not being structural, but trying to find studs behind brick isn't worth the trouble. If you can, incorporate posts set in concrete at the bottom on the steps it will add a lot of strength.
Old people are not hardheaded, they enjoy their routines.
Be sure to get a head style that looks good especially if rail holes are recessed. Be careful about over torquing or you will strip out the threads the tapcon cuts. Using a hand wrench/ is safer/slower than power.
I agree with the warning about brick not being structural, but trying to find studs behind brick isn't worth the trouble. If you can, incorporate posts set in concrete at the bottom on the steps it will add a lot of strength.
Old people are not hardheaded, they enjoy their routines.
Posted on 9/19/26 at 11:26 am to RoyalWe
quote:
The dumbass move wouldn't be asking this question. The dumbass move would be trusting the no-name anchors that came in the box when Mom is going to put her full weight on the rail
Was coming to post the same.
Asking before starting shows you’re not a dumbass.
I never trust the anchors that come with anything.
I’d grab a handful of bits from Lowe’s before showing up, and just keep them in the package for easy return. Better to have extras you don’t use and can return, then need to run out 3/4 through.
Be mindful that not only will she put her full weight on it, if she looses her balance she’ll be using that rail to catch herself and will give it a good yank
Posted on 9/19/26 at 3:39 pm to greenbean
Any way to use posts and set in ground?
Posted on 9/19/26 at 6:39 pm to RoyalWe
Just did this a couple weeks ago for a hose reel. House was built in 1957.
1/2” masonry bit. Dewalt 20v hammer drill
5/16” lag shield anchor
5/16” Lag screw
Got everything at highland hardware in Baton Rouge.
Only had to go back because I broke one of the bolts because I didn’t drill it deep enough and snapped off the head. Other than that easy work
1/2” masonry bit. Dewalt 20v hammer drill
5/16” lag shield anchor
5/16” Lag screw
Got everything at highland hardware in Baton Rouge.
Only had to go back because I broke one of the bolts because I didn’t drill it deep enough and snapped off the head. Other than that easy work
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