Can You Drill Into Stucco?

There are a lot of questions that come up regarding stucco and whether or not you can drill through stucco is one of those popular questions.

Right?

I think that the hardness of stucco confuses a lot of people and they wonder if they can actually drill through a hard "concrete-like" material.

Not only that but there are certain things that come into play like "will my stucco leak after I drill into it" that come up after you drill into stucco.

Let's dive in to see what the answer is and how to best go about it if it is possible.

Can I Drill Through Stucco?

To answer the question, yes you can drill through stucco with the right drill bit and proper drill. Masonry type of bits with carbide or diamond tips are the go to bits for stucco and having a hammer drill will greatly help with larger holes.

For smaller bits, a standard drill will work but having a hammer drill will make the job much easier.

What Kind Of Drill Can I Use?

For the smaller bits, like you would find in a set, up to about 3/8" you can use a standard drill if you would like. This will do the job for these simple types of bits, especially if you are only making one or two holes.

Having a hammer drill for these would make the job a whole lot easier and a lot faster but it isn't necessary to get the job done.

A hammer drill or rotary hammer is really going to be recommended for holes larger than 3/8" in size because of the added demand that the size of the hole takes.

I would not recommend using a standard drill for larger bits because they will not have the "hammer action" needed for the hard stucco surface.

What Are The Different Drill Bits I Can Use?

There are a lot of different drill bits out there that you can choose from but like I stated earlier, you will want a carbide or diamond coated bit. Take a look at Home Depot's website for some ideas at what's out there.

Smaller Bits: The smaller bits are probably a little more common and the easiest bits to find and use. I would categorize these as any bit 3/8" in diameter or smaller.

Larger Bits: It is important to keep in mind that 1/2" bits (and larger) may require an SDS type of connection because they are made for rotary hammers and not necessarily drill drivers.

You can also buy adapters for an SDS type bit that will work with your drill driver.

Hole Saw Bits: There are also many different hole saw bits that can be used with diamond or carbide tips on them.

A hammer drill will get the job done with a little patience and using water in conjunction with the bit will help to keep it cool, especially helpful if you plan on making a few holes with the same bit.

What Precautions Do I Need To Take After Drilling?

It is necessary to take some precautions before and after drilling through your stucco that some people may not think about.

  • Where are you drilling - You will want to keep in mind that electrical wires are located inside your walls and drilling through the stucco is kind of a blind ordeal, to some extent.

    Take your time and try not to puncture through the stucco too rapidly, take it nice and slow.

  • Seal the hole - After you drill a hole in your stucco, you will need to seal up the perimeter of the hole.

    I assume most people are drilling a hole because of pipe or ducts of some sort which will be going through the wall so after installation of the pipes, ducts, etc. you will need to apply caulking around it.
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The Stucco Guy

Ryan Retired Stucco Contractor

I’m Ryan, a longtime stucco contractor who has spent plenty of years getting dusty, chasing cracks, matching finishes, and figuring out what actually works in the real world. I created TheStuccoGuy.com to make stucco a little less confusing, help homeowners avoid expensive mistakes, and give you practical answers without all the fluff.

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20 comments
Pat says

I moved a security camera on my stucco wall outside my house to another spot. How and with what do I fill the old drilled holes with?

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    Hi Pat! To fill the old drilled holes in your stucco wall, use a ready-mix stucco patch or exterior-grade acrylic caulk. Clean the holes first, then apply the patching material, smooth it out, and texture it to match the surrounding stucco. Once dry, paint over it to blend. Let me know if you need more details!

    Reply
Shavonn says

Aloha! We are trying to install cameras into our stucco exterior and the drill bit we have for stucco is too wide to put up the bracket….what is the smallest drill bit for stucco to be able to put up camera mounts? Mahalo!

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    Aloha Shavonn! The smallest drill bit you can use for stucco depends on your camera mount’s screws, but typically, a 3/16″ or 1/4″ masonry bit works well for most mounts. Just ensure it’s small enough for a snug fit with your anchors. Hope this helps, and mahalo for the question!

    Reply
Mel says

I’m lookin at a stucco job were the stucco was placed over a concrete foundation and some pieces have fallin off. Can I glue these back on then drill and screw she an elder lady and trying to keep the price down

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    For a stucco job where pieces have fallen off, gluing them back on isn’t the best long-term solution, as they likely won’t hold up. Instead, clean the area and apply a bonding agent to the foundation. Then use a patching compound or a mix of stucco to fill in the missing areas and blend it with the existing surface. If the pieces are large and reusable, you could attach them using masonry screws and washers, but patching is typically a better fix. This approach should keep costs down while providing a lasting solution for the homeowner. Let me know if you need more tips!

    Reply
      The Stucco Guy says

      Hi Mel,

      For a stucco job where pieces have fallen off, you don’t need a bonding agent since stucco naturally adheres to concrete or cinderblock walls. Instead, clean the area thoroughly to remove debris and loose material. Reapply stucco by filling the missing areas with a fresh mix, pressing it firmly into place, and blending it with the surrounding surface. If the pieces that fell off are intact and reusable, you could use masonry screws and washers to secure them, but reapplying new stucco is usually the better option. This should help keep costs low for the homeowner while ensuring durability. Let me know if you have more questions!

      Reply
Edward Freeman says

Hey I stuccoed a sign about two weeks ago. It was my first time with stucco. . Is it okay for me to drill holes in it or do I have to wait for a longer period of time. .

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    Should be fine Edward!

    Reply
      Keith says

      I would like to mount a Starlink Mount Wall Roof Mount( 16 inches long with a square bracket w/4 drill holes) into my stucco wall OR into the chimney for a base station CB setup. Any tips for the drill bit or anything else? Thank you sir!

      Reply
      The Stucco Guy says

      Use a masonry bit for drilling into stucco, and make sure to clean out the holes before inserting anchors. Apply silicone or polyurethane caulk in the holes before installing the mount to help seal out moisture and prevent damage over time.

      Reply
Ashley says

Hello! I’m trying to hang a ring doorbell camera on the outside of my house, which is stucco. I just need to make two holes for the base plate of the camera. I have a standard drill, but not sure how to tell which size drill bit I’m using. I did one pass using the bit I thought was the right size, but it wasn’t really making any progress. Should I just keep trying using that drill bit (again, not sure which size I was actually using) or should I go get a special drill for those two holes? Thank you so much for your help!!

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    Your regular drill should work for those two smaller holes. It is not so much the drill in your situation, as it is the drill bit itself. A good drill bit made for masonry type of applications that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the screws i what you need. If the bit is too large, you will have to use larger screws, which can be a little frustrating.

    Reply
Bill says

I am trying to drill a 1/4 “ hole into a stucco wall. At about 3/8 of an inch in, i hit something cannot go further. It is located close to the top of the wall. Any thoughts on what this might be and how i can drill through it?

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    3/8 of an inch is pretty shallow to be a nail or metal strap. I have no idea what it could be. What kind of stucco system do you have?

    Reply
    walt says

    try removing the masonry bit and driving a screw. if the masonry bit hits wood it may not go through it readily. stucco may be thin at top of wall so 3/8 may be the stucco thickness there?

    Reply
jim bravo says

great info.you just saved my life.
i had everything backwards.
thank u so much. jim

Reply
Simone says

Just wanted to say thanks! Found a lot of the info on your site helpful for figuring out how to hang my house numbers on my stucco house 🙂

Reply
Karsen says

Hi! I would like to hang a rather large windchime from my balcony which is made of stucco. I believe I would need hang it from the ceiling by a smaller ceiling hook. Does this constitute a regular drill? And do I need to anchor the screw? Thank you.

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    Hello Karsen, You could just get a tapcon set from the hardware store but be sure it is the set with a drill bit and a 2″ – 2 1/2″ screw should suffice for almost any type of stucco system. A drill is recommended!

    Reply
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