How To Drill Into Stucco

First things first, stucco walls are my favorite. I often spot them at restaurants, and spend hours admiring them. 

Besides aesthetics, this textured wall finish is highly durable, versatile, and weather-resistant. So, I pestered my husband and sent him pictures of a dozen textured stucco walls of varying colors until he finally gave in, and we had a beautiful stucco wall in our living room. 

Now, what no one tells you about stucco is that it is tough to drill into it. 

This one time, I wanted to hang one of my paintings on the wall and tried to drill through stucco, only to have it chip and splinter. Besides, if you're going to run pipes or ducts through exterior walls with a stucco finish, you're in for a good deal of trouble. 

Not one to give up easily, I knew there had to be a way out without damaging the wall. I began looking for ways on the internet and made a quick call to our local builder. I've compiled all the wisdom I received in this guide. 

Hi there! I’m Stacy and today, I will be talking about stucco and how you can drill into it. So, let’s begin. 

How To Drill Into Stucco?

So, you want to hang picture frames on your stucco wall or run a pipe from outside to the house's interiors. While you might consider calling an expert for the drilling job, trust me when I say it's a child's play once you get the hang of it. Let's look at the steps involved in drilling into stucco:

Step 1: Gather The Supplies

This one's a no-brainer. For any drilling job, you need essential tools like a measuring tape, pencil, anchor, screws, masonry bit, and of course, a hammer drill. I scoured through my husband's garage, and my garden shed for these supplies but if you don't have them lying around, quickly run down to your local hardware store. 

Step 2: Measure The Area

Decide the place where you want to drill. Measure the area with the help of a measuring tape and mark it out with a pencil. I recommend using a pencil because stucco walls are tough to clean, and pencil marks are easier to wipe off. 

Step 3: Find A Suitable Drill Bit

The next step is crucial and involves choosing the right drill bit for the electric drill. Usually, experts recommend using a carbide or masonry drill bit since these are especially designed to go through hard surfaces such as concrete and stucco. 

Also, masonry bits come in various sizes, but I recommend choosing a bit that is smaller than the screw you intend to use. Otherwise, the screw will be unsteady, and anything you want to hang on the wall will not stay in place. 

Once you've chosen the ideal drill bit, insert it into your drill hammer. 

Step 4: Start Drilling

Hold the hammer drill straight against the wall at a 90-degree angle. Now, apply firm pressure on the drill, drilling slowly into the wall. Remember, slow drilling is essential to prevent the stucco from splintering and keep the pilot hole even.

Drill until you've reached the desired depth, and then reverse the drill to get the bit out. I should mention here that it is essential to follow all drilling safety tips to avoid any unforeseen accidents. 

Step 5: Inspect The Hole

Most traditional stuccos have a wire mesh inside, which leads to flaking and chipping of the stucco. 

This is precisely what happened when my husband and I tried to drill through our wall. Small chips of stucco scattered the floor, and we panicked, fearing we had damaged our wall. However, there's nothing to worry about. 

You can use some caulk around the drilled hole to hold the stucco in place and give the screw additional stability. Spread the caulk properly using a caulk gun and wipe off any excess before leaving it to dry for two hours.

Things To Keep In Mind While Drilling Into Stucco

Before you put on your protective goggles and work hat to drill into stucco, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. You Will Need Speciality Screws

Stucco requires special screws since it is a hard material, like concrete. Usually, screws made for hard surfaces have diamond tips that allow them to penetrate tough surfaces easily. Further, they have deep threads that increase their weight-bearing capacity. 

In addition to this, some screws have a blue coating that makes them resistant to rust. Manufacturers always mention the load-bearing capacity of specialty screws, so remember to check it before purchasing. 

2. Stucco Are Of Two Types

A common misconception is that stucco is merely cement-based. However, that's not the case. Traditional stucco is made of Portland cement, lime, water, and sand, while synthetic stucco is made of fiberglass mesh, foam and has a topcoat. 

Cement-based stucco is more rigid, and you can drill through it without any worries. Also, it can easily hold heavier objects like paintings.

But, synthetic stucco is softer and not as durable. If you wish to drill through synthetic stucco, I recommend contacting a professional or the manufacturer. They will be able to guide you better through the process. 

Final Words