Put up house numbers or a name plaque on an exterior brick wall

Mark, drill and fix house numbers or a plaque securely onto a solid exterior brick wall using plugs and screws.

HN-01Plan the position and mark it outHold the numbers or plaque against the wall at a comfortable height, roughly 1.4m to 1.6m up, where they're easy to read from the street. Use a spirit level to get a true horizontal line and mark the fixing hole positions lightly in pencil. Check the mortar joints — drilling into a joint is easier than drilling into a brick and just as strong.

RULES

1 each · House number or plaque set

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1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Pencil

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1 each · Tape measure

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KNOW THE RULES

If your home is listed or in a conservation area, check with your local council before drilling into the external wall — some exterior changes need consent even for small fittings.

HN-02Check for hazards before you drillRun a cable and pipe detector over the marked spots, but don't rely on it completely — detectors can miss cables that are deep, in conduit, or outside the usual safe zones. Find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If you're at all unsure what's behind the wall, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling, and be ready to turn off the water at the stopcock.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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HN-03Drill the fixing holesFit a 6mm masonry drill bit and set the depth gauge on the drill to 40mm — 5mm deeper than your wall plug will sit, to allow for dust. Drill straight into the wall on a slow speed, easing off if you hit something unusually hard or the drill suddenly goes soft (a sign of a cavity or old repair). Wear safety goggles and a dust mask, and hold a small bag or dustpan underneath to catch the brick dust as you go.

1 each · Masonry drill bit 6mm

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1 each · Safety goggles

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1 each · Dust mask

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HN-04Fit the wall plugsPush a 6mm wall plug into each hole until it's flush with the brick face, tapping gently with a hammer if it's stiff. The plug should sit snugly — if it falls straight in, the hole is too big and you'll need a slightly larger plug. Clear any loose dust from the hole first so the plug grips properly.

1 pack · Wall plugs 6mm (pack of 25)

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1 each · Hammer

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HN-05Screw the numbers or plaque in placeLine the numbers or plaque up with your marks and drive in stainless steel screws, 40mm long, until snug — don't overtighten, as this can crack a plastic or ceramic plaque. Use stainless steel screws outdoors, since ordinary steel screws will rust and stain the brickwork over time. Check the level again once the first screw is in, before fixing the rest.

1 pack · Stainless steel screws 40mm (pack of 10)

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1 each · Screwdriver or drill driver

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HN-06Final check and tidy upStand back and check the numbers or plaque are level and securely fixed, with no wobble. Brush away any remaining brick dust from the wall and ground below, and wipe the plaque clean of fingerprints or dust. Dispose of any old fixings or packaging responsibly.

1 each · Stiff brush

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1 each · Cloth

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