Garage Guide

Can I drill into masonary block? The cement blocks used to build garage foundations and basements?

I would like to install garage cabinets. The garage is built with cement blocks. Can the cabinets attach to the cement blocks by drilling into the blocks?

Public Comments

1. Sure. The easiest way is to go to Lowes or HD, where they sell special masonry screws that come with just the right size drill bit. That's important. They work great.
2. sure..just use a hammer drill, then the proper size tapcon screws for your backer board.
3. yes, all you need is an special kind drill or cement screws
4. Yes you can drill in them as they have hollow centers. You will need a carbide bit. And plastic inserts or something like a "spider spreader" to hold should you hit a "hollow" Hardware store has it.
5. Yes. You need a masonry bit and special masonry screws. They sell them at HD. couple helpful links below.
6. head to your local hardware store and purchase masonary drill bits. It will work much better when you use a corded drill not a battery powered drill. Get a few sizes and work your way up to the screw size you need. That will make it easier as well.
7. You would, ideally, need to buy a small drill and a small concrete drill bit. The size of the bit would be determined by the size of the toggle bolt you chose to use to hang stuff with. You would need to drill a small whole in the wall, big enough to accomodate a toggle bolt, a bolt and springed wing nut. The whole will need to be at least 1" away from the joint between two cinder blocks. You push the wing nut throught the wall. When it goes through the wall the springs open the wings. Tighten as needed. If you need to hang something, pictures, add a nut and washer on the outside of the wall so as to be able to tighten the nut from the outside, leaving the bolt about 1/4 to 1/2" from the wall. God Bless
8. Yes, use masonry drill bits with any drill. There are several types of anchors that are sold at most hardware stores. Just make sure the anchors fit the hole correctly, most anchor packages tell what size bit to use.
9. A corded drill will be sufficient, a corder hammer drill would be better. I would suggest using 1/4" TapCon concrete screws between 2" and 2 1/2" long. These screws take a 3/16" masonry bit. Be sure not to use a drill bit that is too large, the screws will not bite into the block, and try not to drill holes in the mortar joints. The screws will not hold well. Also, do not use plastic anchors. Too much weight in the cabinets will pull the anchors out. Keep in mind, you can never use too many screws. Not enough will always ruin your day.
10. Get yourself a hammer drill and a decent bit. That will shoot a hole in masonary like going through butter. Without the hammer drill, you will spend lots of time and effort trying to drill a few holes.
11. rather than trying to hold cabinets up and screw them in. screw a cleat to the wall with a 45 degree angle cut into the top facing in and up.a 1x2 will work for this. screw a cleat on the back of the cabinet with the same angle only face the angle down and in. pick up the cabinet and hang the cleat to the other cleat. hope i explained this right it saves a lot of lifting and trying to scew at the same time...
12. Sure can. Go to Home Depot buy a pack of TAPCON screws large enough to hold your cabinets ( weight ) get the package that comes with it,s own Masonry Drill Bit . Any good quality drill will do the job for drilling into CBS block . If it is solid concrete get a hammer drill .