How to Drill Through Tile without Cracking

So, you have a nice bathroom designed with beautiful tiles. Now it’s time to fit bathroom accessories. But afraid of cracking beautiful tiles while drilling? There’s nothing to be afraid of! Because we have the easiest guide on how to drill through tile without cracking.

How about knowing more about drill bit? Don’t you need one for drilling?

Drill Bit

A Drill bit is a cutting tool or instrument by which holes are made after attaching it to a drill machine.

Types of Drill Bits

There are different types of drill bits and every drill bit’s work is different.

Basically, drill bits can be categorized into three types: masonry drill bits, wood drill bits, and metal drill bits.

Among all the drill bits, twist drill bits and step drill bits are mostly used. And twist drill bit is also known as High-speed steel drill bit or HSS bits.

Twist drill bits or high-speed drill bits are used for making holes in the woods, walls, and sometimes in metals.

And with the help of a step drill bit, up to 1/4 inches thick hole is made in the metal.

There are also other drill bits, like- auger drill bits, forstner drill bit, countersink drill bit, spade drill bits, self-feed drill bit, etc.

Features of Drill Bits

From the above part, you have known that there are different types of drill bits available. And they are different in respect of work, size, shape, and strength.

But still, some features are common among all the drill bits.

And these features are: spur, cutting edge, flutes, point, and shank.

Which drill bit is the best?

Tungsten carbide drill bits are the best among all other drill bits. Drill bits made from tungsten carbide are very much strong and they last longer than any other drill bits.

One can drill rock using Tungsten carbide tipped drill bits.

Have a look at this article to know more about drilling rock: what kind of drill bit for rock

Tungsten carbide drill bits are expensive but worth it.

Apart from tungsten carbide drill bits, cobalt tipped drill bits are also good enough. But tungsten carbide tipped drill bits are better. They are expensive but the money is totally worth it.

What is the worth of cobalt drill bits?

Cobalt drill bits are only two or three bucks less than tungsten carbide drill bits.

So, it is better to buy tungsten carbide drill bits with two or three more bucks as they are worth it.

Which drill bits are better by length?

By length, smaller drill bits are better than bigger ones.

Which Drill Bit to Use for Drilling Tile?

Before saying anything, I want to tell you that, no matter which drill bit you have, don’t use the old and worn out one for drilling through tile.

The most common drill bit which is for drilling through tile is carbide-tipped masonry drill bits. They are very strong and have the ability to drill a tile easily.

And carbide tipped drill bits are also used to drill through rock.

So, now you can understand the strength of carbide tipped drill bits. Right?

And yes, these carbide tipped masonry drill bits might be stronger but these drill bits can deal with stoneware and glazed ceramic tile.

But for drilling through porcelain stoneware and harder materials, you need to use tough diamond drill bits.

So,

For glazed ceramic tiles and stoneware, you can use carbide tipped drill bits.

And for porcelain stoneware and harder materials, you need to use tough diamond drill bits.

How to Drill Through Tile without Cracking

Before starting the process, you need to take some safety measures for protecting yourself from any kind of injuries.

These safety measures are:

1. Wear safety eye glasses for protecting your eyes from small drilled-out particles.
2. Wear a Dust mask
3. And last but not least is to wear latex grip safety gloves.

Have you taken all the safety measures?

If yes! Then, without any further ado, let’s begin the process:

1. Recognize your tile

First of all, you need to know which type of tile you have. Because in the above portion we got to know that, for glazed ceramic tile and stoneware you need to use carbide drill bits. And for porcelain stoneware and harder materials, you need to use diamond drill bits.

So, first you have to recognize the type of your tile and then select a perfect drill bit for drilling through it.

2. Measuring and marking the targeted area

Tiles have slippery surface, right?

So directly drilling the tile will be a bit difficult. If the bits get slipped even a bit while drilling then you will either scratch or crack the tile. And both scratch and crack are worse.

So, to secure the surface of the tile, you can use masking tape over the surface where you want to make a hole.

First you need to measure the targeted area and mark with an “X”. And place the masking tape over that area.

And again, measure the area after covering it with masking tape for ensuring.

Thus, you can now safely drill a hole.

3. Start the drilling process

We have chosen the perfect drill bit and also have marked our targeted area.

Now, the real game will begin.

But before starting the game, let me inform you that tiles are made in such a way to protect themselves from any type of destruction and even drilling.

So, you need to be patient while drilling through the tile.

4. Drill slow and low

As I have mentioned earlier that, drilling through metal takes a lot of patience. So, you have to drill slowly and with low pressure.

Rushing while drilling through tile can cause destruction and you might end up ruining your whole work.

So, be patient while drilling!

5. Let the drill bit cool down

This is the main point that makes drilling through tile easily.

Carbide drill bits automatically get stopped the moment they overheat. But diamond drill bits keep working even if they are overheated.

But working with an overheated drill bit can ruin your work and even the drill bit.

So, you need to keep your drill bit cool.

There are two ways of keeping the drill bit cool.

1^st way is to drill slowly. And this is a must for various reasons and you already know the reasons.

Drilling slowly will not only make your work perfect but will also keep your drill bit cool.

2^nd way is using a wet sponge. Whenever you will understand that your drill and drill bit are getting overheat, just cool them down with the help of wet sponge.

Just make sure not to make the floor and the motorized part of the drill wet.

Oh! There is another way.

You can also spray some water from time to time.

Just take a break from drilling and spray some water on it. And mind not to spray over the motor area of the drill.

6. Change the bit after drilling the tile

Once you have hit the wall without any crash, change the bit suitable for the substrate. To drill the wall without damaging the tile, drill slowly and steadily. And thus, you will get the perfect hole.

The End

Hurray! Now you have successfully learned how to drill through tile without cracking. So, now you can easily drill any kind of tile without cracking and make your friends and family or client surprised with your work. Just make sure to take all the safety measures and dealing the drilling process with patience.