Fit a battery video doorbell to an exterior brick wall

Fit a battery video doorbell to solid brick safely, with no mains wiring and no rewiring rules to worry about.

VD-01Unpack the kit and charge the batteryCheck the box has the doorbell, mounting bracket, angle wedge, screws, wall plugs and security screwdriver. Charge the battery fully before you fit anything — most need 4-6 hours on USB. A doorbell fitted with a flat battery will drop offline within a day.

1 each · Battery video doorbell kit

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VD-02Test your Wi-Fi signal at the doorStand at the spot you plan to fit the doorbell and check your phone's Wi-Fi signal. If it's weak, move the router, add a Wi-Fi extender, or pick a spot closer to the house before you drill anything. It's much easier to fix a signal problem now than after four holes are in the wall.

VD-03Choose the height and positionFit the doorbell 1.2m to 1.4m from the ground so it catches faces, not just chests. Avoid pointing it straight at direct sun for hours a day, as this can wash out the video. Check the door can still open fully without hitting it.

VD-04Check for cables and pipes before you drillSweep the exact spot with a cable and pipe detector, even on an outside wall — alarm cables, satellite leads and electric meter tails often run through brick in odd places. A detector can still miss deep or shielded cables, so treat the wall as if something is there until you've drilled a shallow test hole and checked what comes out. Find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely, so you can shut off water fast if you ever hit a pipe; if there's any real doubt, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.

VD-05Mark and drill the fixing holesHold the bracket against the wall, level it, and mark the screw holes with a pencil. Drill into a mortar joint rather than the brick face where you can — it's easier to drill and kinder to the brickwork. Use a 6mm masonry bit in a hammer drill, drill to 40mm deep, and wear safety glasses and a dust mask.

1 each · 6mm masonry drill bit

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1 each · Safety glasses

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1 each · Dust mask

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VD-06Fit the wall plugs and screw down the bracketPush a wall plug into each hole until it's flush with the brick. Screw the bracket on through the plugs, checking it's level as you tighten. Don't overtighten — stop once the bracket is firm and doesn't wobble.

1 pack · Wall plugs (supplied, spares pack)

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1 each · Spirit level

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VD-07Fit the angle wedge if you need oneIf the doorbell will face straight down a narrow path or porch rather than out at visitors, fit the angle wedge first. Mark and drill for the wedge exactly as before, then fit the bracket onto the wedge rather than straight onto the wall.

VD-08Insert the battery and pair the doorbellClip the charged battery into the doorbell body. Open the app, follow the setup steps, and connect it to your home Wi-Fi. Name the device and set up notifications on your phone before you fit it to the bracket.

VD-09Clip on the doorbell and secure itClip the doorbell body onto the fitted bracket. Turn the security screw underneath with the supplied tool until it's tight — this stops anyone lifting the doorbell straight off the wall.

VD-10Test the doorbell and check the anglePress the button and check the chime and app both alert you. Walk a few metres away and back to test motion detection and check the video framing on your phone. Loosen the bracket or wedge slightly and re-angle it if the view isn't right, then retighten.

VD-11Tidy upBrush brick dust off the wall and sill, and sweep up any dust on the ground below. Pack away spare screws and plugs, and keep the box in case you need to return anything under warranty.

1 each · Dust brush

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