The Challenge of Stone Walls: Drilling Tips for Exeter Homes

Many Exeter properties have stone walls - either solid stone or stone-faced with rubble fill. Beautiful character, absolute nightmare to hang things on. Here's how to approach them.

Know Your Stone

Types in Devon

Exeter Volcanic Trap Dark red/purple stone, very hard. Drill slowly, expect bit wear.

Beer Stone Cream-coloured, relatively soft. Actually quite easy to drill but can crumble.

Granite Often on boundary walls and some older properties. Extremely hard. SDS drill essential.

Sandstone Various red/brown stones. Hardness varies widely.

Rubble Stone Many walls are actually rubble (random stones) with mortar between. You might be drilling into hard stone one inch, soft mortar the next.

---

Essential Equipment

The Right Drill

Standard drill: Won't cut it. Literally.

Hammer drill: Minimum for most stone. The hammer action breaks through where rotation alone can't.

SDS drill: For hard stone like granite or trap. The much stronger hammer action is essential.

The Right Bits

Masonry bits: For softer stone, standard masonry bits work.

SDS masonry bits: For SDS drills, obviously, but also much more durable.

Diamond core bits: For very hard stone or when you need a clean hole.

Tungsten carbide bits: Good all-rounders for varying hardness.

Cooling

Stone drilling generates serious heat. Have water handy for:

• Cooling the bit (dip it periodically)
• Cooling the hole (spray or dribble in)

Overheated bits lose their temper and become useless.

---

Drilling Technique

Step-by-Step

1. Mark your spot - Remember you might need to adjust if you hit something unexpected

2. Start without hammer - For the first few millimetres, let the bit grip before engaging hammer action

3. Apply steady pressure - Firm but not forcing. Let the tool do the work

4. Withdraw regularly - Every 10-15mm, pull out to clear dust. This prevents jamming and overheating

5. Cool as needed - If the bit's smoking or glowing, stop and cool it

6. Listen and feel - Hard resistance means hard stone. Sudden ease might mean you've broken through to mortar or cavity

7. Use depth stop - Especially on rendered walls where you can't see what's behind

When You Hit Problems

Bit keeps slipping:

• Mark with a punch first
• Use a smaller pilot hole
• Ensure hammer action is engaged

Bit gets stuck:

• Switch to rotation only
• Reverse out gently
• Clear dust and try again

Breaking through unexpectedly:

• You've hit mortar or a cavity
• Reposition if possible
• Use longer plugs/fixings

---

Choosing the Right Fixing

Into Solid Stone

Fixing Type	Best For	Load Capacity
Plastic plugs	Light loads, shelves	Low-medium
Nylon plugs	Medium loads	Medium
Chemical anchors	Heavy loads	High
Expansion bolts	Very heavy loads	Very high

Into Rubble or Mixed Walls

The stone face might be thin with rubble behind. Options:

Resin anchors: Fill the hole, insert threaded rod, let cure. Works even in loose fill.

Extra-long plugs: Get grip deeper into the wall mass.

Spread the load: Multiple fixings rather than one heavy one.

Mortar vs Stone

Drilling into mortar between stones is often easier, but:

• Modern mortar is usually fine for light loads
• Lime mortar can be soft and crumbly
• Stone itself gives better grip for heavy items

---

Common Stone Wall Scenarios

Hanging a TV

Challenge: Heavy, concentrated load

Approach:

1. Find the thickest, most solid stone in your bracket area
2. Use resin anchors or heavy-duty expansion bolts
3. Consider a floor stand if walls are too dodgy
4. Test fixings with pull-out load before hanging TV

Hanging Shelves

Challenge: Leverage force on fixings

Approach:

1. Use at least 3 fixing points per shelf bracket
2. Spread horizontally across the wall
3. Get fixings into stone, not mortar
4. Consider floating shelf systems with concealed fixings

Hanging Pictures

Challenge: Usually lighter but aesthetics matter

Approach:

• For light frames, picture hooks work even in mortar
• For heavier, use small masonry fixings
• Consider picture rails to avoid drilling altogether

Mounting Curtain Poles

Challenge: Outward leverage, often near window reveals

Approach:

1. Fix into solid wall, not reveal edges
2. Use substantial brackets with good-quality plugs
3. Multiple fixings per bracket for heavy curtains

---

What To Avoid

Drilling into lintels: Stone lintels above windows are structural. Drill to the side.

Crumbling stone: If the stone itself is deteriorating, the fixing won't hold. Get the wall sorted first.

Render-covered mystery: On rendered stone walls, you don't know what's behind. Use a detector and drill carefully.

Forcing through: If the bit won't go, stop. You'll break the bit, possibly the wall, definitely your patience.

---

DIY vs Professional

You Can DIY:

• Light to medium items (pictures, small shelves)
• If you have the right equipment
• On accessible, straightforward walls

Get Help For:

• Heavy items (TVs, heavy shelves, mirrors)
• Difficult access (high walls, stairwells)
• Unknown wall construction
• When you've tried and failed

I've got the right equipment (SDS drills, variety of bits, resin anchors) and the experience to know which technique works for which stone. There's no shame in outsourcing stone drilling - it's genuinely difficult.

---

Need something hung on a stone wall? I work with Exeter's stone buildings every week. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.