DIY: How to drill into tiles without cracking them
Drilling holes into tiles can be tricky, but with the right tools and a bit of perseverance, it’s not as difficult as you think. Here's how to get it right.
Safety first
As with all DIY jobs, safety should be your first priority. Make sure you have the right gear.
- Goggles
- Dust mask
- Latex-grip gloves
Tools for the job
You’ll also need the right tools.
- Drill
- Tungsten-carbide-tipped drill bit or diamond-tipped drill bit (depending on the type of tile you’re drilling)
- Masonry drill bit
- Masking tape
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Wet sponge
Measure and mark your tiles
The last thing you want to do is ruin your tiles. That’s where the masking tape comes in. After measuring where you want the hole, cover the spot with masking tape and use the pencil to mark where you need to place the drill bit.
The masking tape helps create tension and stops the drill bit from slipping and damaging the tile.
Alternatively, invest in a drill bit guide for greater accuracy, especially if you need to drill several holes through tiles.
Drilling the hole into the tile
Make sure your drill is set on rotary mode and not hammer. This part of the operation requires a little bit of time and patience, or you’ll crack the tile. Once you’ve placed the bit against the X on the masking tape, start drilling slowly and steadily, while applying moderate pressure.
Ceramic tiles
Use a tungsten carbide-tipped drill bit for ceramic tiles. This type of drill bit needs to be kept cool while you’re using it or it overheats and stop working.
This is where a wet sponge comes in handy. Either use it to dab the bit every now and then to cool it down, or hold it below the bit while you are drilling (this will also absorb the dust and fragments as the drill bit works its way through the tile). There are also commercial cooling systems available.
Porcelain tiles
You will need to use a diamond-tipped drill bit on porcelain tiles due to its harder nature. A lean-in technique works better for drilling porcelain tiles. Start off at an angle until the drill has cut into the tile, then bring it to a perpendicular position at 90 degrees to the tile and continue drilling. Unlike its tungsten-carbide counterparts, diamond-tipped drill bits won’t stop working when they overheat, although it is optimal to use your wet-sponge cooling system, or similar.
Once you’ve drilled through the tile, switch to a masonry or other appropriate bit to continue drilling through the wall or substrate behind the tile.
TOP TIP: Drill bits are built for purpose. You will extend the drill bit’s lifespan by using the correct one for the job.
Lastly, insert a plastic wall plug into the hole to hold the screw or fixing. Resist over-tightening the fixing as this also can damage the tile.
Drilling bigger holes into tiles
Hole saws are necessary for drilling larger holes in tiles for heavier fixtures such as radiators. Like smaller drill bits, hole saws also come in tungsten carbide-tip and diamond-tip variations to match the type of tile. Hole-saw bits will fit on your conventional drill.
