How can I drill a hole in a ceramic tile?

Question

I need to cut a circular hole in a ceramic tile big enough for a 15mm pipe. The tile is currently 'not' on the wall as I am chasing the plaster and brick to lay the pipes ready for the shower unit. Any ideas out there?

Thanks!

Answer 1

just go buy a ceramic drill bit.......tip:  we lay the piece of tile on top of 2 or 3 inchs of buiding sand.....this will displace the vibration.....only crack about 10% of the time when driling a hole like this....

these bits r shaped like a arrow head.......

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 2

wow,  lots of answers.

i lay a lot of tile.  and i cut a lot of large holes in them.  i usually do the smaller holes (up to 20mm) after the tile is mortared down.  the mortar disperses the vibrations and holds the tile together.

for the drill bit,  a carbide or diamond hole saw works best.  the diamond one will cost about 20 dollars the carbide ones about 8 dollars.  check ebay if you can't find them locally.  while cutting the hole, keep the tile and the bit wet to cut down on heat and dust

Answer 3

Before you drill, stick some masking tape over the tile (cellotape is a bit more difficult to remove) this stops the tile surface from cracking and splintering, then just use a drill bit to the size hole you want.

Answer 4

The builder stores will have many sizes of masonry drill bits to choose from. Go to the drill bit section or the ceramic section.

Answer 5

Hey,If you are drilling into softer tile, a regular carbide bit works fine. Do not use a hammer drill as the rapid vibrations can crack the tile. The trick is to use a slow drilling speed and carefully grind through the surface of the thin glaze. Once the bit gets into the softer core, the drill will rapidly cut through the softer fired clay.

Do not apply too much pressure when you first drill as the drill and bit can slip away from the marked point and scratch the tile. The worst mistakes you can make are cracking or scratching a tile. If that happens, it will be a considerable amount of work to replace the damaged tile(s). Be careful and proceed slowly as you drill.

Installing a towel bar or toilet-paper holder often requires drilling through glazed ceramic tile, which is no easy task. Use a carbide-tipped masonry bit; regular twist-drill bits can't cut through the fire-hardened glaze. You'll also need to keep the bit from slipping off the glossy surface.

The secret: Put two strips of masking tape onto the tile in an X pattern as shown above. Then drill through the tape — you'll feel the bit grind as it goes through the glazing. Drill through the tile and into the drywall or backer board. Just be sure to lighten pressure at the end to ensure a clean hole at the rear of the drywall or backer board to accommodate a hollow-wall fastener.

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Answer 6

Before you start to the drill the hole, stick some cellotape onto the tile where you are going to drill.

That prevents the ceramic surface from splintering.

Answer 7

Use a sharp bit on highest speed to cut a 5mm hole,then use a grinding dome shaped bit to extend the hole to desired size.

That works for me,im the king of cowboys.

Answer 8

for a smaller hole i would use a tile drill but i do not know if you can get one that big. failing that use a masonry drill bit but do not use SDS drill as it will smash the tile

Answer 9

I TILE, every day of my life, and can't be bothered drilling holes. I use other options, BUT,,, in all the answers, I see one suggestion I'd also make.

   Given that 15 MM equates to approx. 3/4 inch, I suspect the hole should be slightly more than a tight fit, and certainly graduated to that size with a pilot hole to start.

   I'd go with a Roto Zip and tile/grout bits.

   Purchase extra tiles and PRACTICE.

Steven Wolf

Just my two "sense"

Answer 10

Stick a piece of tape on the tile mark the place were you want the hole use a small masonry drill but do not use the drill on hammer. when you have the small hole use a correct size hole saw that has cinteride tips.

Answer 11

you do get 15mm masonry drills

I would drill a smaller pilot hole first.

put some clear pva glue over where you wish to drill.

this will stop the tile chipping.

lay the tile on a firm surface.

indent the tile with a nail,, just enough to chip out the glaze -  to give the drill a start.

drill pilot hole

say 5 mm

drill out to 10mm

or you could drill just the 5mm hole

and widen with a tile saw blade.

might want to practice on an old tile.

Answer 12

Before you drill put some sellotape on your tile to stop is slipping

Answer 13

you put tape over the bit of tile your drilling to disperse the shock and cross your fingers

Answer 14

Do not use a masonary drill bit. Use a small glass cutting bit tp give a centre to work with then switch to a diamond edge bit which can be bought the size of needed - - a 15mm circular bit. Or if you don't want to pay out for a one job bit just draw a circle and use the glass drilling bit making lots of holes which can then be sawn through with a blade.