If you’ve ever wondered how to drill into stucco, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you have moved into a new house and are wanting to decorate or are looking to make some home improvements, Stucco can be a difficult material to drill into. However, it is easy to repair so making mistakes, while should be avoided, is not the end of the world. Using the right tools is crucial for a successful stucco drilling process, and it can help you get the job done right the first time.
Still unsure how to go about drilling into stucco without cracking it? We have created a simple step-by-step guide to help you ensure you are properly prepared to drill into stucco and that you can do it without causing too much damage.
Before making any large changes to stucco it is recommended to consult a professional. However, for hanging a frame or some home decor, these steps make it simple and less daunting.
Table of Contents
What is stucco?
Construction materials include stucco. It is created using water as a binder and frequently includes an aggregate like sand. It is generally used as a decorative coating and is applied to walls and ceilings while still wet.
It can be used to apply an artistic finish in architectural construction in addition to being utilized indoors and as siding for exterior walls.
Once stucco has dried it will provide a texture similar to concrete. This is often what makes it so intimidating to drill into. However, it is a lot easier than drilling into concrete with a lot less clean up after.
How to drill into stucco
Before drilling, make sure you have the right tools. Depending on the type of stucco you’re working with, you may need special tools for this job. Those that are able to do this work successfully can enjoy the benefits that stucco has to offer. The first step in drilling into stucco is to measure the hole. Then, choose the proper hammer drill for the job. You’ll need a masonry bit for the task. Choosing the correct masonry bit for the job will help you drill into the material without damaging it. Below are the steps to successfully and safely drill into stucco along with any equipment you will need.
Required Equipment:
- Power Drill With Masonry Bit
- Anchor
- Screws
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Caulk (Optional)
A measuring tape will help you determine how big the hole is. This will help you avoid any shards or chips of stucco that may be in the way of drilling. Once you’ve determined the size of the hole, you’ll need to drill the hole using the correct drill bit. The size of the hole will affect the depth of the holes. You’ll also need to drill in the same direction to ensure that you don’t damage the surrounding areas.
A hammer drill can drill through stucco without hassle. If you’re drilling multiple holes, however, a masonry bit will be the most effective tool to use. If you’re using a hammer, make sure you measure the distance between each of the holes with a pencil. Afterwards, you should clean the holes to prevent chipping and cracking the surface. Once the drilling has finished, remove the wire mesh and nail it.
Step 1- Assemble equipment
Before you begin, ensure you have all of the equipment listed above. You will want to have each piece of equipment within arms reach before you make any move to start drilling.
Step 2- Make a guide hole
Using the tape measure and pencil to mark exactly where you want to drill. The use of a pencil means that you can easily erase any marks after the project is complete.
If you are hanging decor such as a picture, have someone hold the picture in the place you want to hang it as you create the guide holes. This may take some practice and moving around as you determine the best spot for the decoration.
Do not make any holes with the drill until you are sure the picture is in the right place.
Step 3- Connect the bit to the drill
You should use a masonry bit that is the appropriate size. The screw won’t hold if you use a large enough bit. If it’s too small, you’ll wind up trying to hammer the screw in, which almost certainly will result in damage.
If you’re screwing directly into Stucco, measure the bit you choose against the screw or the anchor you’ll be using to fasten the screw.
Step 4- Drill slowly
Whether you are new to drilling or have lots of experience, always drill slowly and steadily into a surface. You don’t want to push the drill bit into the brick, as this can lead to cracks. But you can drill through the stucco without damaging it. Drill horizontally into the wall while keeping the tool steady. Moving around too much can cause the hole to be too big and uneven.
If the hole is too large your anchor will not fit.
Step 5- Hang the decoration
Apply a small amount of caulk into the hole and insert the anchor before you begin to screw the screw into place.
You want the screw to be tight but avoid applying too much pressure as this can break the screw and ruin the drilled hole.
When not to drill into stucco?
With the exception of damaged areas, stucco can be drilled at any time. Before drilling into the stucco, make sure it is completely fixed if any of it has started to deteriorate or if there is already a hole there.
Although stucco can be drilled, if it already has problems, drilling will probably make the holes bigger and the damage worse.
In the event that the stucco is damaged or is starting to deteriorate, you will need to contact the company which installed the stucco. They will make the decision to patch the area or to replace the entire surface area of the stucco.
You should never attempt to drill into stucco when it is not completely dry. This can cause irreparable damage to the material.
Repairing mistakes on stucco
There are numerous methods to harm stucco. A decaying exterior needs to be replaced with a variety of materials in order to be sealed once more.
However, water damage to stucco might be more difficult to repair. Actually, the repair procedure is comparable.
Before you can begin to repair stucco you need to identify the cause of the issue. If it is water damage you may require professional help.
However, for smaller areas, you can determine the infected areas by gently tapping on the surface. Then, using a chisel or a series of drill holes, begin to cut out the area that is then to be repaired with an angle grinder. Never pull out stucco by hand.
Only dig down as far as the stucco’s thickness allows. Pry the loose piece free. To avoid leaving the region exposed, only remove as much stucco as you can fix in a single day.
For smaller mistakes such as a mistaken drill hole for hanging a photograph, simply repair by filling in the area with a small amount of caulk, smoothing the surface and allowing it to dry.
Summary
Due to the concrete-like effect, drilling to stucco can seem daunting. Fear of the entire wall crumbling is something we all experience.
However, it is a lot simpler than you would believe. Ensure to always make a guide using a tape measure and pencil.
Then slowly drill into the stucco while remaining steady. Once your hole is drilled correctly you are free to hang your mirror, picture, or shelf.
Make sure to call a professional at the sight of any extreme damage or deterioration. You never want to remove an entire wall of stucco without a replacement!
Founder of HandymanGuides.com and self-proclaimed “Mr. Fix-It”, Mike has countless years of experience building and tinkering with everything under the sun. He works as a local repair guy near Santa Monica, CA and when he’s not spackling drywall, he enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 daughters.
