How to Drill a hole in a bathroom wall tile without cracking it?

Answer 1

Mounting extra shelves, towel bars and other accessories in a tile wall may seem daunting, evoking visions of chalky, cracked tile adorning your bathroom or kitchen floor. But with the right tools it's pretty simple.

What You Need:

A drill with variable speeds is crucial; if you don't own one, buy one - it's a must-have tool.
Set of masonry drill bits - standard bits dull too quickly when they hit tile and concrete.
Heavy-duty tape
Toggle bolts are needed to prevent the tile from cracking due to the buildup of pressure; toggles distribute the weight of what you're hanging.


First, mark each spot for drilling a hole with an "X" made of tape - this strengthens the tile around the hole. Now, slowly drill through the tape, the tile and the wall behind it until you hit air; stick the toggle bolts through, fasten them to your accessories and you're finished.

Answer 2

Drilling Into Tiles

Answer 3

Buy a special tile drill bit if you must, (looks a bit like an arrow head) but if not use a small drill bit and enlarge the hole after with the correct size drill bit. However, the main trick is to put some tape over the area you are going to drill and drill through that. Don't what ever you do push hard on the drill since the pressure alone will crack the tile. Take it easy and be sure your drill bits are sharp.

Answer 4

Buy a tile drill bit from B&Q, will cost about £5/6. Attach to a drill, set to screw/drill and not on hammer. Hold drill firmly and straight, then drill hole through tile. Then change bit for a masonry bit for what is behind the tile once through the tile. Don't worry about tape or anything, I've done many holes in tiles and so far have never cracked any.
Plumber :)

Answer 5

Buy a Specific drill contractor so, that you can judge bathroom wall tile without cracking it.

Answer 6

Use the drill size for the ultimate size of the hole. Hold it aginst the tile and gently tap the end of the drill. The glaze will be heard to crack, just the glaze. Then drill SLOWLY without using the hammer. If you don't feel like tapping the drill, hold it aaginst the spot where the hole is required, push and turn the chuck backwards and forwards by hand. You will hear when the glaze cracks. Then proceed as above.

Answer 7

Mask off around the hole, score the centre with a sharp object such as a bradawl and drill with a glass drilling bit.

Answer 8

Are you Drilling from another room,Like the Bedroom? I mean,ahem,are you Drilling from Behind the Tile,like in another Room.

Answer 9

Put masking tape on the tile to stop the bit from slipping and use a glass bit to cut through the glaze without it cracking.

Answer 10

I use a concrete drill bit and if it is a large while use a smaller bit first. Do not apply a lot of pressure to the drill but use a lot of rpms.