Drilling in Walls

You will need a cordless drill with hammer action, a masonry drill bit to match the size of the wall plug and screw you intend to use, and some plastic tape or a depth stop.

1. Fit the bit into the chuck of the drill and tighten it. Check the depth of hole you need and put a short length of tape or a depth stop on the bit as a marker. Set the drill to hammer action (and slow speed if you have a two-speed drill).
2. Press the tip of the bit into the plaster at the point where you want to drill and start the drill. Push the drill bit into the wall, letting the hammer action do the work.
3. Carry on drilling until the tape or depth stop just touches the wall surface, then withdraw the bit with the drill still running to clear the debris from the hole.
4. Insert the wall plug, ready to receive the fixing screw.