Should You Drill Into the Brick or the Mortar?
For most jobs — hanging décor, mirrors, or shelving — drill into the mortar joint, not the brick. Mortar is softer, easier to drill, and simple to repair if you ever remove the item. Drill into the brick itself only when you’re hanging something heavy, like a TV mount that needs maximum holding strength. Few other materials provide the natural warmth of a brick wall, and its texture makes the perfect backdrop for mirrors, art, and other focal points. Hanging things on brick just takes a little more than a hammer and nail — with the right tools and technique, it’s quick and easy.
What You’ll Need
- A heavy-duty drill with a hammer function (a lightweight drill won’t break up masonry)
- A masonry drill bit — harder, arrow-shaped tip, slightly wider than the shaft
- A screwdriver bit
- Plastic wall anchors
- Screws
- Safety glasses
- A marker
How to Drill Into Brick, Step by Step
- Choose your spot — brick or mortar. For everyday items, mark the mortar joint. Drilling into mortar is easier, less likely to crack the brick, and simple to patch later. For heavy loads, mark the brick itself.
- Mark the drill point. Use a marker to note exactly where the hole needs to go, based on the item you’re hanging.
- Drill slowly with the masonry bit. Start the hole and take your time. Drilling too fast can cause mistakes or overheat the bit.
- Insert the plastic anchor. Slide it in by hand, or tap it gently with a hammer until it’s flush.
- Drive the screw. Swap to the screwdriver bit and drive a screw into the anchor, just as you would in an interior wall. Leave enough of the screw exposed to hang your object. As the screw goes in, the anchor expands and grips the masonry for a secure hold.
That’s it — a secure anchor point in brick or mortar in a few minutes. Show us how you decorate your brick walls! 
