Can I use a regular drill for making pilot holes in brick?

• <div><p>You can use a regular drill to make pilot holes for gutter brackets in the wooden fascia board around the top of your house, but it’s not the best tool for brick. Instead, you’ll need a heavy-duty power tool like a hammer drill with a carbide tip bit.</p></div>

Best masons near Round Rock, AZ

Q: What kind of drill bit do I need for brick?

• <div><p>Drilling into brick or mortar requires the use of a masonry drill bit. Masonry drill bits appear similar to standard drill bits except for the leading tip of the bit. The tip has a bulky carbide arrow-shaped end slightly larger than the rest of the bit shaft. Standard or high-speed drill bits designed for making holes in wood or metal don&rsquo;t have the ruggedness or design shape you need to drill into brick. They may not go through the brick at all, and if they do, they&rsquo;re more likely to overheat, crack, or dull before you finish drilling.</p></div>

Q: How long do brick houses last?

• <div><p><b>Brick houses can last at least 100 years</b> with minimal maintenance. With regular care and attention, including mortar repointing, brick houses can last 500 years or more.</p></div>

Q: Can you lay bricks directly on dirt?

• <div><p>No, you shouldn&rsquo;t lay bricks directly on dirt. While it might seem like a shortcut, it leads to a patio that shifts, sinks, and becomes a maintenance headache. Dirt expands, contracts, and erodes&mdash;none of which mix well with long-term stability. To build something that lasts, excavate the topsoil, compact a layer of crushed gravel, and add a coarse sand-setting bed. This layered base gives your bricks proper support, allows drainage, and helps block weeds from creeping through. Cutting corners here just means you&rsquo;ll spend more time&mdash;and money&mdash;<a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-repair-brick-patio.htm">repairing your brick patio</a> later. </p></div>

Q: What type of drill is best for brick?

• <div><p>The best tool for drilling into brick or mortar is a rotary hammer drill which is a large hammer drill with low rotation speed and high torque. Regular drills with a hammer function are also excellent tools for drilling into brick when the diameter of the hole is 1/2 inch or less. It might be possible to drill into brick with a standard drill if you&rsquo;re only drilling a very small hole, but note that masonry work will put a lot of wear on a standard drill, and the tool may not be strong enough to get through brick.</p></div>

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Top-Rated Masons in Round Rock - Updated Nov 2026

Arizona Foundation Solutions, LLC

4.1(

)

Concrete Foundation - RaiseConcrete Foundation - Repair

Serving Round Rock, AZ and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Hector was very professional in providing estimates and answering question during during the survey. I would recommend him to others that might be considering similar services."

+24

Response time2 days

11 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by76%of homeowners

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National Property Inspections

4.7(

)

Concrete Foundation - RaiseConcrete Foundation - Repair

Serving Round Rock, AZ and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Shannon arrived promptly at the scheduled time. He was very personable, courteous, and thorough and even developed an immediate relationship with our three big dogs. Shannon is a resident of Maricopa as well as a home owner and very active in our community. It s obvious he takes a great deal of pride in his professionalism and thoroughness. He spent over 3 and one half hours evaluating interior and exterior structures as well as mechanical systems, heating system, plumbing system, grounds and yard, etc. Shannon provided his results in a written report (via PDF format) which we could then forward to our builder. We didn t realize how little we actual knew about our house until Shannon s inspection. All things considered and according to our estimates his visit saved us about $3,000 in potential repairs. We now have the knowledge and comfort of knowing the real condition of our home. We have peace of mind and feel the resale value of our home is secure."

Recommended by85%of homeowners

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AZ Fab and Restoration

4.5(

)

Brick and Stone Flatwork - RepairBrick and Stone Patios, Walks, and Steps - InstallBrick, Stone or Block Wall - Install+2 more

Serving Round Rock, AZ and surrounding areas

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"It went exactly as planned. Adan Montoya was very communicative, helpful and patient throughout the project. He is friendly, fair, conscientious and hard working."

+10

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Hampton Enterprise LLC

3.7(

)

Basement Drainage Channels - InstallBasement Drainage Channels - RepairFoundation Drainage - Install or Replace+1 more

Serving Round Rock, AZ and surrounding areas

In business since 1989

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They were good. They were pretty fast and came on time. My overall experience with them has been good."

Recommended by60%of homeowners

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A-PAC Pressure Grouting, Inc.

4.0(

)

Concrete Foundation - Raise

Serving Round Rock, AZ and surrounding areas

In business since 1989

Free estimates

"A -PAC was not too eager to do the job. They never called back after I discussed my chimney problem with Bob. Another company did the repair and did a wonderful job using 4 helical piers stabilizing and jacking the chimney up to it's original position. I would strongly recommend that you include this company in your list of foundation contractors."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Whittier Consultants LLC

5.0(

)

Brick or Stone - Tuck-pointingBrick or Stone - Tuckpointing - For BusinessBrick or Stone Siding: Install or Completely Replace+4 more

Serving Round Rock, AZ and surrounding areas

In business since 1970

Free estimates

"no problems were encountered. the guy knows his stuff"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Clark's Handyman

New to Angi

Concrete Foundation - InstallConcrete Foundation - RaiseConcrete Foundation - Repair+1 more

Serving Round Rock, AZ and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Concrete \nCarpentry \nLandscaping \nLawns \nDecks \nDrywall \nTrim work \nWelder \n \nPainting \n

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Garcias Constructors LLC

New to Angi

Concrete Foundation - Install

Serving Round Rock, AZ and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Here at Garcias Constructors we work hard every day to meet and exceed any Excavation,Grading,Asphalt prep, Drainage/Pipe, Gravel, Pads, projects you need done. Any type of Concrete.

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Desert State Dirtwork

New to Angi

Foundation Drainage - Install or Replace

Serving Round Rock, AZ and surrounding areas

In business since 2011

We do quality and exactly how the customer wants it.

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Masonry FAQs, answered by experts

Drilling into brick or mortar requires the use of a masonry drill bit. Masonry drill bits appear similar to standard drill bits except for the leading tip of the bit. The tip has a bulky carbide arrow-shaped end slightly larger than the rest of the bit shaft. Standard or high-speed drill bits designed for making holes in wood or metal don’t have the ruggedness or design shape you need to drill into brick. They may not go through the brick at all, and if they do, they’re more likely to overheat, crack, or dull before you finish drilling.

Brick houses can last at least 100 years with minimal maintenance. With regular care and attention, including mortar repointing, brick houses can last 500 years or more.

No, you shouldn’t lay bricks directly on dirt. While it might seem like a shortcut, it leads to a patio that shifts, sinks, and becomes a maintenance headache. Dirt expands, contracts, and erodes—none of which mix well with long-term stability. To build something that lasts, excavate the topsoil, compact a layer of crushed gravel, and add a coarse sand-setting bed. This layered base gives your bricks proper support, allows drainage, and helps block weeds from creeping through. Cutting corners here just means you’ll spend more time—and money—repairing your brick patio later.

You can use a regular drill to make pilot holes for gutter brackets in the wooden fascia board around the top of your house, but it’s not the best tool for brick. Instead, you’ll need a heavy-duty power tool like a hammer drill with a carbide tip bit.

The best tool for drilling into brick or mortar is a rotary hammer drill which is a large hammer drill with low rotation speed and high torque. Regular drills with a hammer function are also excellent tools for drilling into brick when the diameter of the hole is 1/2 inch or less. It might be possible to drill into brick with a standard drill if you’re only drilling a very small hole, but note that masonry work will put a lot of wear on a standard drill, and the tool may not be strong enough to get through brick.

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