Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 5/7/2009

Question
i guess i will be doing a lot of filling holes that i drilled in frustration of trying to find one the drill bit would go thru (further to the sides than planned or further upward than i planned and they still did not work)...so, here's my question...i am trying to hang an 8 foot long curtain rod above the huge front window at the front of my condo (the building is 25 years old)...there appears to be about one-half inch of drywall that the bit goes thru and then the drill bit won't go any further--does not feel like wood is behind the drywall even though a studfinder indicated i was over a stud...so, am i drilling into metal or am i drilling into concrete?  how do i tell...and how then do i choose the proper hardware to secure the brackets...i did read your reply to a similar question on this site...but, HELP!  thanks...shawn

Answer
Hi shawn, it is unlikely that the drywall would be mounted directly to the concrete if your walls are concrete.  It is weird that your drill bit can't penetrate a metal stud or metal furring strip.  Even an ordinary drill bit should penetrate a 22 gauge metal high hat no problem. A 16 gauge steel stud will resist drilling to a point but a high speed steel bit will drill into it without problem.  It is possible that there is some kind of structural steel in the location you are trying to drill but for the life of me I can't remember any condo project I have built that used structural steel over windows.  My first thought was that you might be hitting the head of a drywall screw or a framing screw.  I hope you have tried moving your location around a bit just in case you are hitting something like that.  Another possibility is that you are hitting a nail plate that is used by electricians and plumbers to prevent people from screwing into wiring or plumbing pipes.  These hard metal plates are there for a reason and should not be drilled through for obvious reasons. Try raising your location 4-6" and see if you still have the same problem..If not then I would say you are hitting a nail plate.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com