Drilling Through Tiles Without Cracking Them

Many installations in kitchens involve making fixings in a tiled surface. It is essential to use the correct technique for drilling through tiles so they do not crack. The dust created from drilling ceramic tiles can discolour grout and silicone sealant so try to vacuum dust from the hole as you drill it.

Tools and Materials needed

Felt-tip pen, masking tape, drill and bits, vacumm cleaner, wall plug.

Steps to Drill a Tile

1. Mark the point for the fixing using a felt-tip pen. Apply some masking tape over the mark – it should still be visible.
2. Fit a tile drill bit and switch off any hammer action.
3. Position a vacuum cleaner below the mark and switch it on. Start up the drill on a low speed and slowly increase the speed.
4. Once through the tile, change the bit for a masonry bit or wood bit, depending on the surface below. Drill to the required depth.
5. Once you have drilled the hole, remove the masking tape from the tile’s surface.
6. Plug the hole with the appropriate wall plug and insert the fixing as required.

If you need tile adhesive to stick tiles to the wall or other coverings then first research the correct type for the tiles and environment you have.