Having been used in a strictly industrial setting for so long, concrete is now commonly making appearances in homes. The material has several advantages to warrant its increasing popularity. For example, unlike wood, mildew or other fungi does not grow on concrete when it is left moist for a long while. Also concrete is extremely sturdy and strong, having the ability to withstand a lot of battering from harsh winds.
However, concrete walls are not so strong that you can’t drill into them for the purpose of decorating. If you’re considering trying to drill it yourself, then read on and learn the best method to do it:
Choose the Right Tools
While a normal household drill will be adequate for a small project, you’ll want to get a specialized one for much larger projects. These often come with additional features like improved grip and easy-to-use speed controls which can be especially useful if you’re a beginner to these sorts of tasks. If you can’t afford to purchase a brand new one, either shop around for a second-hand one in mint condition or rent from a trusted supplier.
Furthermore, you’ll need to purchase some good masonry drill bits, which are recommended for use with concrete, especially the dense variety which are tougher to penetrate.
Make Preparations
Safety goggles are a must. Drilling into concrete can propel dust into the air which can get in your eyes. We also recommend that you wear old clothes that you wouldn’t mind getting dirty and some insulating gloves because the drill could sometimes get quite hot.
Finally, keep a mop, vacuum or a dustpan ready to clean up the spilled gravel and dust afterward.
Decide On the Drilling Depth
Regardless of whether you’re drilling for the first or the hundredth time, you don’t want to eyeball the depth. Instead, mark the desired the depth on the drill bit itself with a pencil, chalk or masking tape. To determine the depth, consider what kind of object you’re going to be mounting on the wall. The heavier it is, the longer the screws will need to be and by extension, the deeper you’ll have to drill.
Begin Drilling
Firstly, mark the spot you will drill into. Then hold the drill firmly by its grip with the index finger positioned on the trigger. If your drill has a handle then you can hold it more steadily with both hands. Make sure the bit is accurately perpendicular to the wall.
Use a smaller drill bit first to make a pilot hole. This will ensure that the bit remains steady and reduce the risk of ‘wandering’ out of the marked spot. Then replace it will the correct drill size as required by the project. Begin drilling with a steady speed, applying a constant pressure on the drill to move it slowly forward.
Allow the drill to cool from time to time, using water if necessary. This will make sure that neither the wall or bit is damaged.
Remove Dust
After you’re done drilling all that’s left to do is clear out the dust remaining inside the hole. You can do this either by using a damp swab or a can of compressed air. The latter is much quicker but also hazardous if you’re not wearing a mask.
While you might not get it perfect the first time around, it’s easy to master with just a little bit of practice. Soon you’ll be doing all of the drill work around your house without needing to call an expert.