How to Drill into a Tile Without Fracturing it?

Drilling into tiles without breaking or fracturing them can be done at home. All you need is a few materials and tools that help you cut a hole through the tile’s surface. However, drilling tiles is not as easy as drilling into walls and demands a fair amount of precision and perseverance to achieve it. At times, you will need to drill a hole in the tile for hanging mirrors or installing sinks, grab bars or hand showers in your bathroom or kitchen. Let us look at how to drill into tiles.

Tools You Need

To start, you need to be well equipped with a set of tools to drill through the tile without breaking it. You will need a drilling machine and a set of drill bits. The next step is to choose durable and suitable drill bits. They apply force to a specific location in the tile with precision so that the tile doesn't give way. Thus, even brittle tiles will not break as the drill bit will easily penetrate through. Diamond tipped drill bits are the ideal choice for drilling into tiles; however, they are high-priced. Carbide-tipped masonry drill bits are also a good choice as they are effective and drill through ceramic tiles easily. You will also need safety goggles, masking tape, and a sponge.

Steps For Drilling Into Tile

The most challenging part of drilling into tiles is to support the outside to withstand heavy impacts that could crack the tile. Breaking through the hardened glazed surface is most challenging as many incidents tend to occur in this location.

• Step 1: Attach the tile drill bit into the electric drill, take the wall plug, and plug it into the power outlet.

• Step 2: Make a mark on the spot where the drill has to be built with masking tape. This tape helps you to ensure surface traction and prevents the drill from slipping from the marked spot. This would prevent damage to not only the tile but also the tape.

• Step 3: Once the drill breaks through the tile, keep the speed of the drill consistent as it could overheat. Do not penetrate into the tile too much to ensure that the tile is not damaged.

• Step 4: When you are reaching the end of the drilling process, make sure to decrease the drill speed and pressure in a balanced manner.

Following these simple steps will establish a smooth drilling process without any breakage. If you are planning to install a nail in the drilled hole, make sure to insert a small slab of wood into the hole and then tap the nail with a hammer gently.

How To Drill Porcelain Tile

The process of drilling into a porcelain tile is almost the same as that of other tiles. However, since porcelain tiles are far more brittle and break easily, they need to be handled with care while drilling. Diamond tipped drill bits are the best choice for drilling into porcelain tiles as they are very sharp and precise in drilling through tiles. Using masonry drill bits is not advisable for porcelain tiles as they exert more surface tension, resulting in the tile getting fractured easily. 

• Step 1: Place the electric drill on the surface in a steady manner and make sure to support the tile well.

• Step 2: Use masking tape to mark the tile area you want to drill. Grip the tile and do not skid it into the surface.

• Step 3: If you have to drill multiple holes, create a template using a small block of wood and bore a hole through it with the same diameter.

• Step 4: Start drilling at a slow speed and make sure to apply even pressure and not overdo it.

• Step 5: Once you penetrate the tile and hit the wall, maintain a consistent speed. You may also consider changing the drill bit as the nature of the surface will be different.

Tips For Drilling

Before you start drilling into tiles, check whether they are porcelain, ceramic, mosaic, or natural stone tiles. Choose a special drilling bit that can penetrate the hard glaze and body material of porcelain. Make sure you wear safety goggles and mark the measurements properly. Do not use the hammer drill setting for drilling tiles as the tile would crack easily due to large surface tension. For increased accuracy in drilling through tiles, use special accessories that are provided in the drill case.

If you want to make the drilling a grand success, it is ideal to keep your drill bits cool. The colder the drill bits are, the more efficient they penetrate through surfaces. Use a wet sponge and dab the bit to ensure that the drill bit gets cooled effectively. Disconnect the drill bit from the machine and clean it.

You have now learnt how to drill into tiles!