How to drill into tiles?

al123

al123

al123

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I’ve recently had a new bathroom fitted and need to install a blind. The holes I need to drill are only 6mm, but I want to try and make sure I don’t crack the tiles!

Someone said that if I started off the hole by hand it would reduce the chances of the tile cracking.

Does anyone have any tips?

Thanks :)
 
Masking tape, then basically circle the drill by hand a few times, grinding the tip of the drill bit into it. Then once youve created a bit of a crater to start in, drill away. they arent that fragile if they have been tiled properly (adhesive has good coverage on back, its air pockets that cause cracks/weakness)
 
Personaly I just use a decent standard masonry bit, DON'T USE HAMMER start slowley untill you are through the ennamel/ceramic. Once through the tile Hammer into the wall. Has never failed for me and I have fitted loads of towel rails etc... in customer homes.

Just go easy dont bother with dimond tipped bits etc... :)
 
Also not at full speed and you don't need to push too hard, let the drill do the work. Oh and don't use it on the hammer setting.;)
 
As stated; use tape and start off either very slowly (variable trigger drill) or by hand; also do not push a lot of pressure as there may be air pockets and you will smash through rather than gently break through. You don't need hammer action on the tiles but you will once into the wall behind.
 
MeEsH BaKkA said:
Personaly I just use a decent standard masonry bit, DON'T USE HAMMER start slowley untill you are through the ennamel/ceramic. Once through the tile Hammer into the wall. Has never failed for me and I have fitted loads of towel rails etc... in customer homes.

Just go easy dont bother with dimond tipped bits etc... :)
Click to expand...

This
 
Use a tile/glass drill bit.

TILE--GLASS-DRILL-BIT.gif


I've never drilled tiles, but I was under the impression that you're likely to damage them using a standard masonry drill.
 
Those drills are better, but by taking your time (It makes some lovely noises on the glaze!) a standard masonry bit will work spot on. Or if you are like me, carbide tipped general purpose drills. Bosch make some good ones.
 
I recently drillied about 15 holes for various things in the bathroom.

Use a standard masonry bit
Use masking tape to avoid slippage
Turn drill by hand to make a small indentation
Drill away starting off slowly incase of slippage
DONT USE HAMMER

I tend to drill everything with an 1/8th as a pilot and then go bigger as/if necessary.

Happy drilling
:)
 
MeEsH BaKkA said:
Personaly I just use a decent standard masonry bit, DON'T USE HAMMER start slowley untill you are through the ennamel/ceramic. Once through the tile Hammer into the wall. Has never failed for me and I have fitted loads of towel rails etc... in customer homes.

Just go easy dont bother with dimond tipped bits etc... :)
Click to expand...

Same here, drilled loads of holes in a variety of tiles no problem at all. Just stick a decent bit of tape on the tile, masking tape works well and start off VERY slowly to make sure you don't skate around.
 
When you put the plug in for the screw make sure you push it into the wall behind and not the tile as it could crack it. Seen this happen loads of times in peoples ho,es so thought I'd mention it.
 
Mark A said:
When you put the plug in for the screw make sure you push it into the wall behind and not the tile as it could crack it. Seen this happen loads of times in peoples ho,es so thought I'd mention it.
Click to expand...

Yeah this man speaks the truth.

put the screw into the plug then hammer the screw/plug beyond the tile, then screw it up tight.

Because if the plug is inside the tile, screwing it in will probably crack it
 
Recently drilled our new bathroom tiles at the parents house which are over a centimetre thick Italian jobs.. so the pressure was on!

Cant recommend enough having a special Glaze drill bit as pictured above.
I also used the masking tape technique too.

So tape up the spot you need to drill, remember measure twice drill once!
Use the glaze drill bit to start off and basically once you are through the glaze you are good to go with a normal drill bit.
As mentioned, make sure you are fully through the tile and into the wall.
 
PhillyDee said:
Those drills are better, but by taking your time (It makes some lovely noises on the glaze!) a standard masonry bit will work spot on. Or if you are like me, carbide tipped general purpose drills. Bosch make some good ones.
Click to expand...

Masonry drills usually are carbide tipped.
 
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