How to Drill a Hole in Ceramic Bathroom Tile
Using too much pressure or the wrong tools while drilling into a bathroom's ceramic tile will crack the tile. Cracked tile allows water to seep into the wall behind the tile. This can provide a place for mold to grow. Prolonged exposure to moisture can also weaken the tile's mastic, causing the tile to fall off of the wall. Use the proper technique when drilling a hole in your ceramic bathroom tile to avoid future problems. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pencil
- Duct tape
- Carbide-tipped masonry drill bit
- Low-speed drill
- Water
Instructions
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Lay out the placement of the hole. Place the object that requires the hole against the tile. Mark the object's pre-drilled hole locations on the tile with a pencil.
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Stick duct tape to the ceramic tile's surface over the pencil marks. Place the duct tape so that its center covers the hole's placement.
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Place the object over the tape. Mark the object's pre-drilled hole locations on the tape.
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Hold a low-speed drill, 100 to 200 rpm, equipped with a carbide-tipped masonry drill bit, at a right angle to the tile. A carbide-tipped masonry drill bit has a hardened tip designed for tile and stone. Its tip extends past the shaft slightly on both sides and uses a straight triangle-shaped blade.
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Press the tip of the drill bit on the center of the hole's pencil mark, then press the drill's trigger. A fine dust will form around the hole.
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Keep a light, steady pressure on the tile with the drill. If the tile starts to chip, then reduce the drill's pressure. If you smell a burning metal odor, then reduce the drill's speed.
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Tips & Warnings
Drill a pilot hole first for holes larger than 1/4 inch.
Cool the drill bit after drilling each hole. Carbide drill bits have a short life span, and keeping the drill bit cool will help extend its life.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit hotel bathroom interior image by Svetoslav Iliev from Fotolia.com
