who knows the best way to drill holes through cheap white tiles on a concrete wall.?

Posted by admin on March 14th, 2010 and filed under tiling tools | 22 Comments »

Is there a special way to drill through them without cracking the tiles?
what tools do i need?
any help would be gratefully received…
razz
x
see I knew the men would know…lol

ive just tiled a bathroom…not bad for a poof hey..lol

It’s not a good idea to just drill a hole in a wall. First you should check to make sure there are no pipes or cables in the wall that could be damaged.

Once it’s safe to drill stick some masking tape over the tile, mark the spot and drill a hole in the tile with one of these. http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-2026.aspx
Only £4.54 at Tescos.

Once the tile has been drilled through change the drill bit for a masonry bit. Decide how far you need the hole in the wall and mark the drill bit with some tape for the correct dept.

Stick a folded piece of paper to the tile under the area where you are drilling to collect the dust.

22 Responses

  1. Paul T Says:

    Yes. Get a tile drill bit from the likes of B&Q. Put some tape on the tile. Mark it up and drill away
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  2. Freakin Says:

    You can get a piece for drilling through tiles,the easiest way is to put a lot of masking tape over the area you are drilling,as a buffer and they shouldnt crack.
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  3. john_mcnabb@btinternet.com Says:

    i did it using a drill bit spcifically for drilling tiles. Then i mase a X with masking tape and dilled through.

    The drill bit came with instructions, and cost about £7
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  4. mcleod147 Says:

    I would have to say putting some sort of putty around the hole your going to be drilling to take the pressure off it, but i can see it going wrong also lol dont quote me on it lol
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  5. Midnight_Angel Says:

    dont drill through the actual tile what i do is you know the grout inbetween drill there no risk of cracked tiles and you can still hang what ever it is you wanted to.
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  6. lostinyonkers Says:

    You will need a drill bit for ceramic or masonry, tape the area and go slow
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  7. Tango Says:

    You need a masonry drill to drill through tiles but the difficult part is getting through the the actual ceramic. The drill will slide so the way to do this is to apply some insulation tape to the centre, then use a small masonry drill first then open it out afterwards with a larger drill, but slow it down if possible and take it very steady. It works, I have had to do it about three times over the years.
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  8. b Says:

    Masonry bit, use some tape, and start slowly, and don’t use hammer action
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  9. dallasallad2002 Says:

    use a concrete or masonry drill place masking tape over the area to drill, to cut down on chipping and go slow and do not let drill go side to side when drilling.

    you can buy a masonry drill as small as 3/16 at hardware store, home Depot etc.
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  10. briggs451 Says:

    If they are ceramic tiles, use drill bits made specially for glass and tile. You can get them at hardware stores. You’ll also need an electric drill . Once you get thru the tile, switch to a masonry drill of the same size to reach the depth you want. This will prevent unnecessarily dulling of the glass/tile bit. Keep the drill going straight and level otherwise you’ll crack the tile, or pop it off the wall, or both
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    Done that

  11. Firesparky Says:

    Go with b,s answer short sweet & correct
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  12. boxer Says:

    use a normal masonary drill bit (nice and cheap) put masking tape on the tile to stop the bit slipping use the drill with the hammer function off not using too much pressure till your through the tile then turn the hammer on for the concrete. be sure there are no pipes or wires where you’re drillig though. good luck.
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  13. NIGEL T Says:

    Tools you require

    Good electric drill
    Masonry drill bit
    masking tape

    Method
    Decide where you want to drill your first hole, Using a piece of masking tape over the hole you are going to drill ( THIS STOPS THE DRILL BIT FROM SKATING OVER THE TILES) Now with a masonry drill bit apply an even pressure to the electric drill make sure you don’t have it on hammer action until you have drill through the tile then and only then turn on the hammer action.
    DO NT FORGET SAFETY FIRST DIY SECOND PUT SOME SAFTEY GLASSES ON WHEN USING THE DRILL
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  14. scrapnscream Says:

    It’s not a good idea to just drill a hole in a wall. First you should check to make sure there are no pipes or cables in the wall that could be damaged.

    Once it’s safe to drill stick some masking tape over the tile, mark the spot and drill a hole in the tile with one of these. http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-2026.aspx
    Only £4.54 at Tescos.

    Once the tile has been drilled through change the drill bit for a masonry bit. Decide how far you need the hole in the wall and mark the drill bit with some tape for the correct dept.

    Stick a folded piece of paper to the tile under the area where you are drilling to collect the dust.
    References :

  15. EvelynThe ModifiedDog. Says:

    All the people who are saying put tape on the tile are talking bollox! What you need to do is break the glaze with a sharp metal point, like a pair of scissors, using a twisting action, then using the little indentation you’ve just made, use your masonry drill to bore through the base of the tile.
    References :
    Work in tiling industry.

  16. SundaeG1rl Says:

    Hey, girls know too!! Piece of tape over the spot you want to drill, stops the drill from slipping ;-)
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  17. Sandyspacecase Says:

    Razz, you need a electric drill, a masonry drill bit, or a "Glass and Tile Bit". Some masking tape,and some Patience. Tape the spot you need to drill with two pieces of tape,making an X. Then with which ever drill bit you have, start to drill slowly into the tile. Once you have gotten through the tape and have started to pierce the tile, put a couple of drops of water on the spot every now and then. You must drill using the low setting,otherwise friction will cause the bit to just spin,and you won’t get the drilling action. Drill slow. The Glass and Tile bits will get you through a little faster, but cost more.The masonry bits do the same job,but take longer. Byee. Oh , sorry to disappoint you, I am a Girl!
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  18. oldscottishgit Says:

    Well know need for me to add anything else but good luck and glad you are a DIY’er. and just tackle it with confidence
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  19. Moscow Says:

    b’s answer is correct.

    Another tip……….. Mark the position of the hole on some masking tape and use the tip of a tile-cutter to pierce through the tape and through the surface of the tile to break the surface glaze.

    This way the masonary bit will bite into the softer core of the tile and cut through nicely.

    Don’t use hammer action.
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  20. DIYdeb Says:

    I think Evelyn the Dog was spot on – forget the masking tape. Once you’ve marked where you want the hole, a light tap with a centre punch, just enough to break the surface glaze, will be enough to get the masonry bit started and stop it from wandering all over the tile.
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  21. mik Says:

    The idea is to drill the hole/s very, very slowly.

    When using an electric drill hold your finger lightly on the trigger, the harder you press the quicker the drill will rotate !
    References :
    Previous expierience.

  22. jason c Says:

    Use a high speed steel metal drill bit, drill at high speed with little pressure. Make sure you apply coolant to the drill bit to prevent the bit overheating.
    Ja.
    References :

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