OUTDOOR & GARDEN

Put up a bird box on an exterior brick wall

Fit a bird box to an exterior brick wall safely, checking for hidden pipes and cables before you drill.

BB-01Pick the right spot on the wallChoose a spot 2m to 4m up, facing between north and east so it stays out of strong afternoon sun. Leave a clear flight path in front — no branches or washing lines right by it. Avoid fixing it directly above a door, window or path, as droppings will land below.
BB-02Gather your tools and fixingsFor solid brick you need a hammer drill, a masonry bit, red wall plugs and screws long enough to go through the box's fixing hole into the plug. A stepladder, spirit level and pencil make marking and drilling much easier and safer.
1 each · Woodcrete or timber bird box
1 each · Masonry drill bit, 6mm
4 each · Red wall plugs (6mm)
4 each · Stainless steel screws, 4mm x 50mm
1 each · Spirit level
1 each · Stepladder
BB-03Mark the fixing holes and check the wall before you drillHold the box against the wall at the height and angle you want, level it, and mark the screw holes with a pencil. Cables and pipes can run almost anywhere, even outdoors near meter boxes, outside lights or an outside tap, so run a detector over the marks first. Detectors miss things too, so drill slowly and stop straight away if you feel any resistance, smell burning, or see water. Know where your stopcock is (usually under the kitchen sink) so you can shut the water off fast if you ever hit a pipe, and if you have any doubt at all, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.
BB-04Drill and plug the holesFit the 6mm masonry bit and drill straight into the brick to about 45mm to 50mm deep — check the depth against your wall plug length. Drill into the brick itself where possible, not the mortar joint, as brick holds a fixing better. Blow or brush the dust out of each hole, then push a wall plug in flush with the surface.
1 each · Dust sheet
1 each · Safety goggles
BB-05Screw the box to the wallHold the box back in position and drive a screw partway into each plug through the box's fixing holes. Check it's level, then tighten both screws fully — snug and firm, not overtightened, as overtightening can crack the plug or split thin timber on the box.
BB-06Check it's secure and tidy upGive the box a firm, gentle push and pull by hand to check it doesn't move on the wall. Sweep up any brick dust or rubble from the ground below and bag it for the bin. Wash brick dust off your hands and tools before you put them away.

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