How To Drill Through Stucco

Stucco is a special plaster that uses portland cement as a base. The result is a durable, cost effective finish for home exteriors. Many people consider stucco to be the ultimate construction material. It is affordable, fire resistant and it retains color well. Apply it to just about any surface, including cement, brick, wood or metal. Drilling a hole in stucco, however, is challenging for any home owner. Drilling typically results in pieces of stucco breaking away, unless you know the proper drilling method.

Step 1

Use a tape measure to locate the precise spot where you want to drill the hole. Start at the ground, measuring up to the point for your hole, then use a pencil to mark the spot. This ensures that all holes are a uniform distance from ground level.

Step 2

Insert a masonry bit into an electric drill. Masonry bits are specially formulated for cutting through concrete, stucco and other hard surfaces. They come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to cut a precision hole that is the size you need.

Step 3

Place the drill bit against the mark on the wall and apply firm pressure to the back of the drill, pushing it tightly against the wall. Squeeze the trigger to drill a hole through the stucco. Continue drilling until the hole reaches the desired depth, then switch the drill to reverse to back the bit out of the hole.

Step 4

Inspect the hole. If your stucco has wire mesh inside it, the mesh may cause some breaking and crumbling rather than allowing a smooth cut. If this is the case, clear away any loose debris, then clean up the area using stucco caulk. Spread the caulk around any crumbling areas as an adhesive to hold all of the pieces in place. Apply stucco caulk by inserting the tube into a caulk gun, then slowly squeezing the trigger as the nozzle at the end of the tube applies the caulk to the damaged area. Allow one to two hours for the caulk to dry.