Some home improvement tasks are easier than others. And then, there are those which just sound easy, but in fact require skill and experience. Such is the example of drilling a hole in your tile without cracking it.
Indeed, it’s a rather different task compared to drilling holes in wood, the latter being a walk in the park compared to the first. But do not fear, as this post will provide you with all the necessary information about how to drill through tiles without breaking them and what kind of drill bit is best so that the risk of mishaps is out of the equation.
So, if you:
Then this post is just for you!
Needed materials
Safety items
Before you start the “fun” part make sure to prepare the surface by following these steps:
Different tile materials have different thickness. When you know your tiles, you will have a better idea of how much work would go into the project. Also, how long it would probably take. Porcelain tiles are very dense and thus, harder to break, compared to ceramic ones. Stone tiles are another good example of hard-to-drill tiles.
When you have the right tool at your disposal, the task of drilling your tiles without cracking will not only be easier, but less time consuming as well. The default drill bit on your electric drill doesn’t count. With that said, here are the best drill bits on the market for drilling tiles:
Set your drill to the right setting, that being “drill” and not “hammer”. Then, set the electric drill to low speed and apply modest pressure while drilling. Allow the bit to work its way in, rather than pushing it aggressively. If you use too much pressure, you will likely crack the tile and get a much larger hole than anticipated. At which point, you’d need to replace the section and no one wants to grout tile again. The drilling process might take several minutes, but it will be worth it.
Lubricate the drill bit with water as you go. A great deal of heat is created while the drill is making its way through the hard tile material. This is due to the generated friction. The heat can scorch the bit and even break the tile. That’s why you need to dip the drill bit in some cold water every few seconds. Or, use a squirt bottle to squirt water into the hole. Every 15 to 20 seconds, pump the drill with a slight up-and-down motion to give the water a chance to reach the tip of the bit.
The drill bit should never feel very hot. If this happens, leave it in the water until it cools down.
After the hole has been made and no tiles have been cracked, do not stop abruptly. Instead decrease the speed and pressure of the drill and pull it out slowly. Congratulations, you did it!
And if not, check our post on how to repair a cracked floor tile.
Find a professional to take care of your bathroom.
If you still feel unprepared to drill a hole through a tile, just let a professional handle the task. All the handymen, we work with at Fantastic Services, are experienced and fully equipped to perform any kind of home improvement and maintenance jobs. From standard to odd jobs, we’ve got you covered. You can also book a service, either by phone or online.
***
Was your drilling experience successful? Maybe you have something to add to our post? Let us know in the comments below and let’s start a conversation.
Image Source: Shutterstock/ by chonlasub woravichan
The only home improvement newsletter you will ever need!
We will never spam you. Pinky promise!
For more information, check out our privacy policy.
