How To Put Electrical Wiring Through Brick Walls

When you are installing electrical wiring in your home, you may have to run the wiring through a brick wall. This is a common situation. The task may seem more daunting at first glance than it is. The desired result can be achieved with minimal effort by using the proper tools and materials. The proper procedure is straightforward and easy to understand.

Step 1

Choose a location on the wall to run the wiring. The location should be as inconspicuous as possible while still providing a short route for the wiring.

Step 2

Install a 1-inch masonry bit on a power drill. Some drill chucks use a key to loosen and tighten, and others operate by hand. Use an electric drill that plugs into a wall outlet to give you the power you need to drill through the brick.

Step 3

Hold the trigger end of the drill in you dominant hand and place your other hand under the front of the drill just behind the chuck to keep it steady. Hold the drill at a 90 degree angle to the wall so the hole is drilled straight. Pull the trigger and press the bit into the wall. Keep a moderate amount of forward pressure on the bit until you have drilled completely through the wall. Back the drill straight out of the hole while it is still running to avoid chipping the edges of the hole.

Step 4

Place the electrical wiring in conduit and insert the conduit through the hole in the wall. Adjust the conduit to ensure enough is protruding through the other side before you seal the hole.

Step 5

Cut the end of the nozzle on a tube of caulk at a 45 degree angle using a utility knife. Poke the foil at the bottom of the nozzle using the metal rod on the caulk gun. Place the tube into the caulk gun and press the plunger into the back of the tube. Turn the plunger handle 180 degrees and push the release button.

Step 6

Fill the hole around the conduit completely with caulk. Fill the hole from the center out to each side of the wall. Ensure the caulk is flush with the surface of the wall on both sides. Allow the caulk to dry completely for a day or two before working with the conduit.