Doing DIY projects or carrying out some minor maintenance around your house will require drilling. However, no matter how small the tasks are, be careful while drilling holes in your walls. Otherwise, it can cost you more than expected.
From hanging photos or paintings to mounting a TV on the wall, you will need the help of a drill. But handling it requires proper precautions. Lots of people learn this lesson in a hard way by damaging their walls. Also, there’s a substantial chance of getting yourself injured if you aren’t careful.
Hop on board as we reveal seven essential tips to avoid disaster while drilling holes in your walls-
1.Understand The Surface Material
Without having a clear idea about the materials of your wall, you shouldn’t drill. A drill has several drill bits. Each of them performs uniquely. -If you haven’t replaced a drill bit before, then head over to Bob Robinson’s guide to replacing drill bits first. It is not a tedious process but you might need the tool, in some models, that came with the drill
a) Sheetrock or Plaster Wall
You probably won’t have your whole house made of plasters or sheetrock. However, many houses have sheetrock or plaster walls or drywall in some rooms. If you want to drill in that wall, use a Drywall bit.
b) Stone/Brick Wall
With a stone wall or a regular brick wall (mostly common), you have to use a Masonry bit. No other bit will ensure your wall’s safety other than a masonry bit.
c) Wooden Wall
Although wooden floors are the most common ones to encounter, wooden walls also have an aesthetic appeal. Use a Spur Point bit as these walls are susceptible to mishandling.
d) Ceramic Tiles/Glass
If you are a keen appreciator of aesthetic appearance, you may have these types of walls. Tile bits are the only option here for drilling.
After knowing what your floors are made of, focus on the drill itself. There are lots of options to choose from but you have to figure out which are the best cordless drills for you, based on type, speed, battery life, weight, and size of the chuck.
2. Take Proper Safety Measures
Ensuring safety is a must before you undertake any DIY project. For drilling, there are a couple of things that need proper addressing.
a)Clean the workplace. While working, lots of screws, bits, anchors may be lying on the floor. Thus, increasing your chance of tripping over.
b)Do not touch the drill bit with bare hand after drilling. It becomes excessively hot. Your hands may get burned If you don’t use gloves.
c)Use goggles. Drill bits often become loose & may come out if you put too much pressure. So, to save your eyes from the sudden danger of a loose or broken bit, using goggles is pivotal.
d)Wear protective clothing. If it is not possible, then avoid wearing loose clothes. Be careful with your hair, sleeves & jewelry unless you want to get caught up while drilling.
3. Beware of Electrical Wires, Switches, and Sockets
Don’t start drilling until you are sure of the placement of the wires, switches, and sockets. This is the common mistake most people make that can be extremely dangerous.
There’s a good chance of damaging your electrical wires or circuit breakers while drilling. Often terrible accidents may happen because of the breakage of electrical circuits.
Besides, repairing a broken circuit inside a wall is very expensive. You need to break the whole wall, repair the circuits & then fix up the wall again.
If you have to drill, remember that wires inside the wall align vertically or horizontally with the switchboards. Take extra precautions if you have to drill the kitchen or bathroom walls.
4. Mark The Pipelines
Among all other things, identifying pipelines is the most challenging job to do. The main reason being that pipes aren’t placed in an orderly manner.
That’s why it becomes difficult to predict the exact position. Each house has a unique pipeline setting, depending on its building time. Also, types of pipes can vary from plastic to metal.
If you punch a hole in the water pipe, you will have high-pressure water damage.
By the time you shut it off, your house will already be flooded. The risk is even severe if you damage a gas pipe.
If there’s any spark, you may face indescribable damage.
5. Ensure Proper Equipment
It is vital to know the uses of different drill bits that you get with the drill machine.
For instance, a masonry bit will do well in all brick walls. But for a wooden wall, you will have to use a spur point bit. If you use a brick-specified drill bit on a wooden wall, it will probably crack the wood.
For tiles, get a tile bit. Without knowing the exact drill bit, you can severely damage your wall.
Understanding the depth of the hole is a prerequisite too. Otherwise, your screws won’t fit in perfectly. Use tape instead to mark the bit. Depending on the nature of the screws & walls’, use an anchor or a red/brown plug.
While drilling a wooden wall, don’t put too much pressure. Again, with the brick walls or stone walls, exerting a constant force is crucial. Be sure to mark the drill bit to avoid unnecessary depth in the hole.
6. Have a Stud Sensor
The stud sensor is a lifesaver. It will give you the exact location of wires, and pipes inside your wall. However, the costly ones work on any material, such as plastic, and wood.
After acquiring a stud sensor, test the depth of its functioning. If you plan to drill long screw bolts, check both sides of the wall with the stud sensor. Beware of its malfunctioning issues while running low on batteries. But if you can not afford a good sensor, you can drill without it too.
7. Call in The Experts When Needed
Unless you are confident enough to hang something without damaging the wires, hire a professional. Your house may lack the required expertise when it was built. Therefore, to save yourself from the trouble, call in the experts when needed.
Final Thoughts
If you have the experience, knowledge, and the right tools you can drill all by yourself. But even so, consider all the above measures to ensure proper safety and to get the job done well.

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