Whether you’re tiling a bathroom floor, mounting a shelf on a tiled wall, or tiling a shower wall, you have to know how to drill through tile. And while it might seem like an intimidating task at first, it’s actually pretty straightforward. Once you know what kind of bit to use and how best to approach the job, you’ll be ready to tackle any project that requires drilling through tile. Keep reading to learn more!
Why Drill Through Tile?
If you’re going to do much tile work, it won’t take long to learn that drilling holes in tile is hard to avoid. Especially, if you are tiling a shower. Whatever the reason, you’ll need a bit specifically designed for drilling through tile. There are two main types of bits used for this purpose: carbide tipped masonry bits and diamond core bits.
What kind of bit to use for drilling through tile?
Carbide Tipped Masonry Bits
Carbide tipped masonry bits are commonly used for drilling into hard materials such as ceramic tiles and concrete. These bits have a solid carbide tip that is designed to cut through tough surfaces without slipping or skidding off the surface. This type of bit is great for small holes in tile, but it can take some time and effort if you’re drilling multiple holes or larger ones.
Diamond Core Bits
If you need to drill a larger hole in tile, diamond core bits are the best option. These bits have a hollow core which is designed to remove a cylinder from the tile. They are made with diamond-tipped teeth that can quickly cut through even the toughest tiles with minimal effort. These bits don’t require as much force as carbide tipped masonry bits, so they can make quick work of large projects such as cutting holes in tile for plumbing stub outs in a shower. Plus, they are less likely to cause damage to your tiles!
Setting Up Your Drill
You should always start by ensuring that your drill is properly set up before beginning any project. First, make sure you have a fully charged battery for your drill. It can be very annoying to start drilling and your battery goes dead. Then you have to wait for the battery to charge. To avoid this, always keep your batteries on the charger when you are not using them. Second, ensure that your drill is set at a low speed setting. This will help prevent cracking or chipping of your tile and make it easier to get started. Once everything is set up correctly, you can begin drilling into your tile!
Drilling Through Tile
Now that your drill is properly set up, it’s time to start drilling! Begin by placing the tip of the bit onto the exact spot where you want to create the hole in your tile. Then slowly apply pressure while keeping a steady hand until the bit begins to penetrate through the tile. Remember, take it slow and don’t apply too much pressure! If needed, use a piece of tape. Place it over top of where you want to create your hole as a helpful guide before beginning. Once you have drilled through the tile, remove any excess debris around the hole. Then continue with whatever project you are working on.
Now that you know how to drill through tile, hopefully, you’ll be more confident when it comes to doing those upcoming tile projects!
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