Working with concrete walls

I've got concrete brick walls in my garage. There are a few wood strips nailed to the wall with hooks for hanging stuff... but the bulk of the wallspace is empty.

What do I need to do to drive nails or anchor items into this kind of masonry? Do I need special tools? Special nails? Is it generally easy to do?

Using what I have (basic hammers, a variety of nail types) I have had no luck penetrating the surface.

Thanks in advance!

 

Usually cut nails are only used in green concrete since it's still soft enough to allow a typical human and hammer to drive them into place. Once the concrete is cured, your going to have to look into alternative methods since a typical hammer/nail is'nt going to cut it.

My first recommendation would be Tapcon screws. They require a hammer drill so you can pre-drill the hole in the concrete then drive the screws into the concrete. Hammer drill is not a necessity, but will sped the process of drilling 4x's. I've been using them for years and they have huge holding power, come in a variety of lengths, diameters, head types #2 or #3 phillips or 1/4" or 5/16" hex head.

Otherwise you could use a powder actuated gun that uses a .22 caliper cartridge to fire a nail into the material your trying to hang into that and teh concrete. I've used them quite a bit in the past, and all my expereinces have lead to many nails not being driven flush depending on concrete type your trying to fasten into.

 

Tapcons are a good suggestion. Packaged in quantity, they usually have the correct masonry bit included. Sometimes it is easier to drill in the grout lines.