Can I drill into a concrete lintel?

Lintels are known to be rigid and durable that when there is a need to drill them, many people are hesitant to try it for fear of ruining the beam. Although other options should be explored before deciding to drill into a lintel, there are cases when there is a need to do so, such as installing blinds, curtains, and for other purposes.



Drilling can be easy, but this is not the case when it will need to be done on a masonry material, which tends to break and crumble. Once the damage is done, there is nothing that can fix it, which is why extreme caution should be practiced.

How should I do it?

As mentioned above, drilling into a solid concrete lintel is not an easy task. Here are some of the tips and tricks that can help you do it.

Tip Number 1: Choose the right drill.

There are many types of drills that can be used for making holes, but when it comes to drilling into a concrete lintel, it would be best to prepare a hammer drill. Hammer drills are specifically made to drill holes in more solid surfaces, which is why it would be perfect to use on a concrete lintel.

Tip Number 2: Prepare the necessary tools and equipment.

Having a drill that is carbide-tipped may be more effective in puncturing a hole, as the hole will be cleaner and will easily make its way into the concrete compared to other drill bits.

Tip Number 3: Have someone to assist you.

There are certain risks that come with drilling into a lintel, as they are made to support heavy structures. For your safety, it might be helpful to have another person assist you. They can make the procedure faster to complete and can be on the lookout for some dangerous signs that can be hard to see on your own, such as cracking and crumbling concrete.

Tip Number 4: Hold your drill at the correct angle.

Another tip to make the job a bit easier is by making sure that you are holding your drill at a correct angle. Most professionals recommend holding it in a manner that is equally perpendicular to the surface of the lintel, which means that you are holding your drill at a right angle straight through the lintel.

Tip Number 5: Measure the screw, nail, or bolt that you will need to put into the drilled hole.

Before starting to drill, it would be helpful to make a mark into the concrete lintel using a marker or tape so that you would know the precise location on where you have to drill. If you need to insert a screw, nail, or bolt later on, make sure that you are aware of its length, as you would not want to dig a hole that is too deep into the lintel.

Tip Number 6: Use light and gentle pressure.

It might be tempting to use force during the drilling process, however, using a huge amount of strength will not do you any good and will not make the drilling finish faster. In fact, it would be better to use gentle pressure so that the drill’s bit will not break or dull quickly.

Tip Number 7: Make sure that the hole’s depth is sufficient.

One of the methods experts do during drilling is stopping every now and then. This will help the motor cool down, and you will also have the opportunity to check and measure whether the hole that you drilled is already enough, or if you will need to drill more.

Tip Number 8: Do not rush.

The worst mistake you can do during drilling is attempting to breeze through the entire process. This is because drilling a hole into a concrete lintel can be very serious and will need concentration to avoid breakage and crumbling. Make sure to take breaks and check on your drill bit, as there is a possibility that the bit will need to be replaced.

Proceed with caution

Concrete lintels are often installed to support a certain structure. When a concrete lintel fails, this will not only cause problems to the lintel itself, and will even cause problems with the building’s integrity and foundation.



If you really need to drill into a concrete lintel, getting the help of a masonry contractor will be the best decision you can do to ensure your building’s safety. Although you can try to drill it yourself, you have to be aware of the possible repercussions that come with having no experience.