How to nail or screw anything to my home's cement exterior

Carmen
by Carmen
I moved from Illinois to Florida 2 years ago and for the life of me I can't figure out how to nail or screw anything to the outside of the house! I know it can be done because I can see where professionals have attached things. But every time I've tried the hole just keeps getting bigger!! The house is a new built and its some kind of cement (?)
  8 answers
  • Carolyn Carolyn on Mar 30, 2016
    If the surface is smooth and the item is light, could Command adhesive work? http://www.command.com/3M/en_US/command/products/?N=5924736+8719410+3294529207&rt=r3
    • Carmen Carmen on Mar 30, 2016
      I don't think so. One of the things I want to hang is a hammock.
  • Phil a Phil a on Mar 30, 2016
    Is the surface stucco? This is a very common exterior wall covering used in the desert Southwest and most of the homes in Florida are covered in it. It is a very hard plaster type product, usually applied with a pattern like course sand or swirls to hide wall imperfections. Drilling any masonry requires a special masonry bit and hammer drill motor, which hammers and turns the special drill bit to cut the hole. If you don't have that, it's a real chore to drill with a normal drill motor. It can be done, but is much slower as the video linked below shows. HOWEVER.. if you can drill a smaller hole and insert a plastic screw anchor, you will more likely be successful. Of course, depending on how light the item you want to hang is, you might be able to use hot melt glue or other construction adhesive to hold a mounting surface, like a block of wood, to the wall and attaching a hook or screw to that.. For more info on hammer drills, cut and paste this YouTube link or click on the link at bottom of reply: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUYany6-vRY Good luck and let us know how you solved the problem.
  • Lavonne Lavonne on Mar 31, 2016
    you have to use the correct drill bit. Is it masonry? Use a special masonry bit. Also you have to use the right fastener. Get advice from your local hardware store for the correct fastener to use. I would definitely advise against attaching a hammock to your house. The wear and tear may end up damaging the wall. Consider installing poles or a frame to hold the hammock.
  • Cheryl Cheryl on Mar 31, 2016
    Yes, I would advise against hanging a hammock from this wall. It needs to go thru a stud, but you have to have a screw made for cement/bricks and a drill bit for cement. Iavonne said it right.
  • Carmen Carmen on Mar 31, 2016
    😔 Well, it looks like I can't hang a hammock in my lanai. 😩
  • Mtw3440733 Mtw3440733 on Mar 31, 2016
    You probably can't hang it, but someone does make hammock stands.