Install hose hanger with Regular drill and bits

Question

Disclaimer: I am very newbie when it comes to DIY stuff, so be patient :)

So I have installed this hose hanger into my exterior brick wall using 12V cordless drill. Looks sturdy, but I do have some questions.

• I couldn't drill beyond 1 inch as I kept hitting something solid for all positons.
• I used dollar store screws with rubber anchors. I know it is not right choice, but can you recommend something self drilling screws or something.
• How can I fill old holes in the brick?
• Last but not the least, how can I be sure that I didn't drill into anything other than brick especially hose/water line?

Answer 1

First of all, if you only drilled an inch or so into the brick, it's almost impossible that you've hit any utilities. Most of the time that brick at the base of exterior walls is just a veneer anyway and the utilities are in the stud wall behind.

As for mounting, you have two options - you can either use expanding anchors (like you did), or you can use a masonry screw like a Tapcon or other brand. Either way works, but the key thing for both is to pre-drill the holes with a masonry bit.

With a masonry bit, your 12V cordless drill should be just fine, but you were probably going too fast and that's why you were only able to go an inch deep. Drilling into masonry creates a lot of dust and a lot of heat. The wider tip of the masonry bit creates a little room for the dust so it doesn't bind. Going slow and optionally cooling the bit with oil or water will help keep you from just turning the bit into slag.

Finally, fill any extra holes with a masonry patching compound. You can get little tubs of pre-mixed mortar/cement for small projects at the hardware store - sometimes even in a few colors to match common brick colors.