At Rentco, we see it all the time. A homeowner dives into a project with their regular drill, but once they hit concrete or stone, progress grinds to a halt. The bit overheats, the motor strains, and nothing much changes except the smell of burning metal. These aren’t soft pine boards you’re dealing with. Hard surfaces fight back, and beating them takes the right tool.
Statistics Canada says more than one in fourteen homes in the country need major repairs, and almost a quarter need smaller ones. Around here, that translates into real jobs like tightening loose handrails in concrete stairs, framing basement walls, or setting fence posts that will stay upright through a Peace Country winter. A good hammer drill makes that work possible, and it lets you get through it without wrecking your own cordless drill or your patience.
Hammer Drills and How to Use Them in Your DIY Projects
Drilling Into Concrete and Stone
Trying to run a screw into concrete with an ordinary drill is an exercise in frustration. The bit spins, maybe makes a dent, and then stalls. A hammer drill uses rotation combined with sharp, repetitive impacts to bite into materials like concrete, brick, and stone.
If you are mounting an outdoor light fixture on a brick wall or putting a gate post into a concrete pad, this is the machine that will get you there without chewing through bits. A heavier rotary hammer like the TE 7-C delivers more power, while a cordless hammer drill gives you the freedom to move through tight spaces in the work area without worrying about cords.
Selecting the right tool depends on your project, but if you have questions, you can always contact us and our team of experts will be happy to help.
Installing Wall Anchors and Tapcon Screws
Tapcon screws are common in renovations, but only if you have the right tool to prep the hole. A hammer drill makes driving screws into concrete possible. You need a machine with enough rotational force and steady speed control to create a clean pilot hole without stripping screws.
There are different options like corded hammer drills that can run all day without a battery swap, or lithium ion cordless models that are handy for climbing a ladder or working on the far side of a property where extension cords are a headache. Hilti’s Nuron cordless tools are particularly useful in situations like these. Contact us to learn more about the wide range of Hilti’s Nuron tools that we offer!
Running Electrical Conduit or Plumbing Through Masonry
Renovation work often involves running conduit or piping through walls, and materials like concrete require more power than a standard drill can offer. Most hammer drills tend to cut through hard materials with relative ease, creating space for conduit, copper pipes, or PEX tubing. Professionals rely on variable speed triggers to adjust performance when working near delicate surfaces.
For this type of work, it is important to measure depth carefully and select the right drill bit size to match the installation requirements. A hammer drill TE30 is an ideal choice for this, as it delivers durability, higher speeds, and the torque needed for continuous drilling tasks.
Hanging Cabinets or Heavy Fixtures
Concrete and block walls do not have studs, so if you want to hang something heavy you will be making your own anchor points. Rotary hammer drills make that possible. We have helped customers mount everything from kitchen uppers to wall-mounted shop vacs, and every one of those jobs started with a hammer drill. Adjustable speed settings let you slow down when you are close to softer material or a finished surface so you do not blow out the surrounding area. The right anchors and screws do the rest.
Removing Tile or Breaking Up Small Areas of Concrete
Hammer drills are not just for drilling holes. With a chisel attachment, the hammering action can chip tile or break out thin layers of concrete. This makes them useful for smaller demolition jobs, like removing a shower floor before retiling or lifting a cracked concrete patch in a basement. While they are not designed to replace heavy demolition equipment, their versatility makes them an efficient option for localized removal tasks in a home renovation.
Stone & Concrete Work
When you’re setting pavers or stone veneer, a hammer drill makes quick work of pilot holes for edging pins or hardware (just remember to ease up on the pressure, so you don’t crack the surface). The same drill comes in handy for repair work: drilling ¼” holes in concrete lets you place epoxy ports right where they’re needed to lock cracks back together. Two very different jobs, one reliable tool.
Installing Basement Framing or Finishing Walls
Basement renovations often require fastening framing directly to concrete floors or walls. This type of work demands a powerful drill that can consistently perform in hard materials without losing speed or torque. A corded hammer drill is well suited to this task, delivering the continuous power needed for multiple holes in dense materials.
When installing wood or steel framing, creating accurate pilot holes prevents splitting and ensures a secure fit for anchors and screws. Combining the right tools, adjustable speed settings, and appropriate drill drivers allows you to perform these essential steps efficiently.
Choose Rentco for Reliable Power Tools
At Rentco Equipment, we have been helping homeowners, contractors, and DIY enthusiasts get the essential tools, from trustworthy brands like Hilti’s Tools and Supplies, for almost every kind of project for over 60 years.
If you are planning a renovation, browse our catalog, submit your rental request and make sure you are equipped to handle whatever your project throws at you.