How to Drill Into Tile Successfully

At some point in time, almost every homeowner will need to drill into tile. Whether you're hanging a picture or installing new shelves, drilling into tile can seem like a daunting task. However, with the right tools and a little bit of know-how, drilling into tile is actually quite easy. In this blog post, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully drill tiles.

1. Select the Right Bit

One of the most important things to know when drilling holes in tiles is that you need to use the right type of bit. A drill hole in tile requires a carbide-tipped masonry bit. These bits are specifically designed for drilling into hard surfaces like stone and ceramic. Using a standard metal drill bit will not only make the process more difficult, but it will also likely damage your tile.

2. Apply Water

Another tip for successfully cutting holes in tiles is to apply water to both the tile and the bit periodically throughout the process. This will help to cool down both the bit and the tile, preventing them from overheating and breaking.

3. Go Slow

When drilling into any type of hard surface, it's important to take your time and go slowly. Trying to drill too quickly will overheat both your drill and the tile, making it more likely that your drill will slip or that the tile will crack. Instead, start with a slow speed and only increase the speed if necessary.

With these tips in mind, drilling through tile shouldn't be nearly as daunting as it seems at first glance. Remember to select the right type of bit, apply water periodically and go slowly—and you'll be sure to end up with a successful end result.

Tools You Will Need

A drill
A hammer
A regular bit
A masonry bit
Tape measure
Pencil
Level
Chalk line
Safety glasses
Ear protection

The first thing you need to do is gather your tools. You will need a drill, a hammer, a regular bit, and a masonry bit. You will also need a tape measure, pencil, level, chalk line, safety glasses, and ear protection. If you don't have all of these things, you can usually find them at your local hardware store.

Once you have your tools, use the tape measure to measure the area where you want to drill hole in tile. Then use the pencil to mark the spot with an "X." It is important that you make sure that the hole is level, so use the level to make sure that your "X" is level before you move on to the next step.

Use the chalk line to draw a guideline from one side of the "X" to the other. This will help you keep the drill straight as you are drilling through tile. Be sure to put on your safety glasses and ear protection before starting to drill.

Start drilling slowly with a regular bit until you have made a pilot hole all the way through the tile. Don't worry if the edges of the hole are not perfect. We will fix that in later steps.

Once you have made a pilot hole, change out your regular bit for a masonry bit. The masonry bit should be slightly larger than the pilot hole so that it can fit snugly inside of it.

Finish drilling through tiles with the masonry bit until your hole is large enough for whatever item you are trying to install (eg. screw, anchor).

Use a hammer to tap any rough edges around the hole until they are flush with the rest of the tile's surface area.

That's it! You have now successfully drilled into your tile without damaging it!