I have need of anchoring several 2x6’s to an existing brick building. Face of the 2x6 will go against the brick, top edges will catch roof sheeting for small addition(door entry).

Question is simple - For a mechanical anchor (IE lag bolt and masonry anchor) am I better drilling into the mortar or the brick?

Preferred brand of anchors?

Drill the brick.

Tapcons or the plastic inserts with screws.

It will be easier if you use a hammer drill and a bit made for bricks.

Is it a hard brick or a soft brick like used brick?

Hard brick can and will shatter if you drill into it. Hence I usually recommend drilling into the mortar.

I am normally inclined to drill the masonry given you never know what the future holds. Use some form of masonry epoxy and modern concrete screws and not some form of expanding fastener and all will be fine.

The bricks are newer, 60-70 years old. Fired brick, not the oldest, colonial “soft” brick.

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
Is it a hard brick or a soft brick like used brick?

Hard brick can and will shatter if you drill into it. Hence I usually recommend drilling into the mortar.

I have always drilled the brick and have yet to break one. Lucky?

You didn't lay out the whole design, but I would almost always go with a bolt or rod epoxied into the masonry. I use simpson anchors and epoxy. But that's mostly because that's what I have easily available and so I haven't actually researched the alternatives. for this there is no practical benefit of drilling the brick at least on the info you supplied.

quote:

I have always drilled the brick and have yet to break one. Lucky

beyond belief.

Do You Drill into the Brick or the Mortar?

https://youtu.be/qVroeDTh7yc



Drill Into Brick or the Mortar? - GardenFork

https://youtu.be/JnOak0eT_0k

Always drill the brick, the mortar can crumble pretty easy. If you are using wood behind it or putting large washers on the other side then you can drill the mortar. Use a decent drill and don't let the bit overheat and drilling brick is no problem.

*Not a mason, just someone who has attached a lot electrical equipment on brink and block.

Treading dangerously into this thorny topic, I'll stand on principle and speak the truth. I've always been a mortar man. I go for the up/down joint beside bricks. There is usually no void in the lower portion of this joint.

But in your case I'd use ¼" x 4" lags, drill ⅜" or ½" through the 2x6, hold it in place, mark the wall through the holes, and drill the wall where the holes lay. ¼" into the wall, insert some strips of wood into the masonry hole, and lag the board Pennsylvania-style.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
Is it a hard brick or a soft brick like used brick?

Hard brick can and will shatter if you drill into it. Hence I usually recommend drilling into the mortar.

I have always drilled the brick and have yet to break one. Lucky?

Very much so and this is coming from the son of a lifelong stone mason who's father taught him (me) to lay bricks as a young teenager.