Loose hole

[Jupiter01]

Whilst drilling into a wall, the drill has gone off wondering due to a porous block I suspect. How do I repair this and make the hole fit for a rawlplug and screw?

Also, how do I avoid this in the future.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JohnD]

verify that the hole is deep enough and wide enough to accept the plug and screw you need, in the correct position

clean out all dust and loose material with a vacuum cleaner hose or water jet

Inject builders adhesive such as no-more-nails or an own-brand, starting with the nozzle deep in the hole so there is no air bubble behind it

Push the plasplug into the adhesive so it is in the correct place. Sunk slightly below the surface of the plaster

Leave it to set overnight

When firm, it is now held in the correct place and you can drive your screw into it.

 

[blup]

A good quality filler will enable you to drill a fresh hole into it after it has set.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/ronseal-big-hole-ready-mixed-wall-filler-grey-1-2ltr/95289

A common mistake drilling into brick or block is to start at too high a speed with too large a bit.

Use a bradawl or similar tool to make an initial pin prick type hole in the plaster, this will help stop the tip of the drill wandering, then make the initial hole through the plaster into the block with a smaller bit say 3mm. Then use the larger bit for the size of hole needed. Do not use the hammer setting at this stage.

A lot of modern block is very crumby and you may not need the hammer setting at all, but if the block or brick is hard you will definitely need it and at high speed.

Use a good quality masonry/concrete bit - Dewalt do very good ones at low prices:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-5-piece-masonry-drill-bit-set/96162

Blup

 

[lostinthelight]

A good quality filler will enable you to drill a fresh hole into it after it has set.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/ronseal-big-hole-ready-mixed-wall-filler-grey-1-2ltr/95289

A common mistake drilling into brick or block is to start at too high a speed with too large a bit.

Use a bradawl or similar tool to make an initial pin prick type hole in the plaster, this will help stop the tip of the drill wandering, then make the initial hole through the plaster into the block with a smaller bit say 3mm. Then use the larger bit for the size of hole needed. Do not use the hammer setting at this stage.

A lot of modern block is very crumby and you may not need the hammer setting at all, but if the block or brick is hard you will definitely need it and at high speed.

Use a good quality masonry/concrete bit - Dewalt do very good ones at low prices:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-5-piece-masonry-drill-bit-set/96162

Blup

I have one of these sets which have had a lot of stick and are holding up well, use them in my impact driver as well. They are long enough to bury a 120mm concrete screw
https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-h...l-impact-driver-drill-bits-set-5-pieces/4435p

 

[^woody^]

Use two plugs!

 

[Jupiter01]

Thanks all this is very helpful. I will use the no more nails approach here. When brought in a tube (used with gun) is there a way to keep this for future use?
In future, I will start with a pilot hole, then slighter bigger hole and then the actual size and try not to use the hammer setting.

 

[lostinthelight]

seal the end of a caulking cartridge with hot iron or flame and push it on, doesnt last for ever but does help

 

[JohnD]

Or, the water-based ones, you can wash out the nozzle, put some cling film over the end of the tube, and screw the nozzle back on to retain it.

Own-brand is very cheap.

Cling film over the nozzle will work for a day or two.

 

[opps]

Or just buy a packet of spare nozzles...

Unscrew and replace as required.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SPARE-NOZZ..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=KVQJEEVF55ZPA69WB00N