Make a hole in the floor tiles. How to drill ceramic tiles - select a tool and drill according to all the rules

When finishing the walls and floors of some rooms, the material of choice is ceramic tiles. You cannot do without tiles in rooms with wet processes and where the floor is subject to heavy loads and often has to be washed. So, in the bathroom, kitchen and hallway, ceramic tiles on the floor and walls of the room are not uncommon. But if covering surfaces with this waterproof, hygienic, durable and beautiful material While this is not a difficult task, drilling holes in ceramic tiles requires some experience and knowledge. Since it will not be possible to do without holes, because you will have to hang shelves, conduct communications and install sockets, information about the technology of drilling tiles will be useful to every owner.

Measures to protect tiles from chips and cracks

To ensure that drilling ceramic tiles is hassle-free, try drilling holes on unnecessary tile scraps. Only after everything works out perfectly can you proceed to finishing work.

To avoid the appearance of cracks, chips and other defects during drilling, adhere to the following rules:

1. Very often, a well-sharpened drill slips off the smooth surface of the material, so it is difficult to start drilling at the precisely designated point. To prevent this from happening, the surface of the tile at the drilling site is sealed with masking tape.
2. To protect against cracks, it is recommended to soak the tiles in water for an hour or spray them on the back side.
3. Drilling holes in tiles is best done at low speeds. The optimal range is 100-400 rpm. The exact number depends on the diameter of the drill, its type, material and thickness of the tile. The required frequency is determined experimentally.
4. Before drilling into tiles with a hammer drill, make sure this option is turned off.
5. If cutting tool will become very hot during operation, this will lead to cracks in the ceramic material. It is better to do the work slowly with periodic cooling of the drill in machine oil. But this cooling method is not suitable for laid tiles on the wall, since oil drops are difficult to remove from the grout. Professional craftsmen use a conductor with forced injection of liquid for cooling.

Tip: when drilling horizontal surfaces, use the “local cooling” method. To do this, make a plasticine board around the future hole and fill the resulting container with water.

1. Position the drill bit perpendicular to the surface of the material. It is easier to use special supporting devices for these purposes, since it is difficult to monitor the perpendicularity of the drill yourself.
2. Select the optimal pressure on the drill. If it is very weak, then drilling a hole will not be possible. And if you use too much force, the tile will crack.
3. Do not use reverse mode when drilling tiles. The tool should only rotate clockwise. Otherwise, there is a high probability of defects appearing.
4. If drilling holes in tiles is done close to the seam, then it is better to move its center into the seam, since the drill will slide off the edge of the product. Due to the fact that the protective layer at the edges of the tile is very thin, chips appear.
5. Start drilling at minimum speed, gradually increasing it as the tool deepens into the coating.
6. If, to make a hole for fastening, you need to drill not only the tile, but also part of the wall under it, then first carefully drill through the tile, then install the drill for concrete surface and drill further. When drilling concrete, it is allowed to use impact mode.
7. When making a hole in the tile (before laying it on the floor or wall), we place a wooden board or a piece of drywall under the product.

Basic Tools

Now let's talk about what to drill with tiles on the floor and wall. To work you will need some tools from the following list:

1. Electric or hand drill . Instead, a high-quality screwdriver with an independent power source is suitable.
2. Spear drills for tiles Ideal for making small holes. The tail of these products can be cylindrical (for a drill chuck) or hexagonal (for a screwdriver).

Important! Spear drills are not very durable. In ordinary tiles you can drill up to three dozen holes, and in porcelain stoneware – no more than three.

1. Carbide drills with an acute sharpening on one side. They are quite durable and cope well with the dense top layer of material.
2. To install sockets and switches you will need drill bits in ceramic tiles. This professional tool Suitable for porcelain stoneware and tiles. The cutting edges of the crowns are coated with corundum or diamond. Professional crown sets are also available for sale. different diameters with tungsten carbide coating.

Advice: for one-time work it is much more profitable to purchase a ballerina. Using this product, holes with a diameter of 3-9 cm are made. Some tile cutters have a built-in ballerina.

1. Conductors are special devices that are attached to the surface of the tile using suction cups. They are needed to accurately make neat and even holes. The jigs do not allow the drill to move to the side at the beginning of work.
2. Coolant blowers required when the tool overheats during operation. They supply water under pressure to the drilling site.

Drilling small diameter holes

To hang mirrors, shelves, kitchen or bathroom accessories on the wall, use dowels with a diameter of up to 1.2 cm. In this case, drilling ceramic tiles on the wall is carried out provided that the glue under the coating has already hardened.

Important! Choose a mounting location attachments so that the holes are located no closer than 1.5 cm from the edge of the tile. This will avoid chips and cracks.

We carry out the work in the following sequence:

• the diameter of the drill should be 1-2 mm larger than the diameter of the dowel;
• place the drill exactly in the center of the marking and start working at low speeds;
• after passing the tile, the drill is removed and replaced with a tool for perforating walls (its diameter must correspond to the cross-section of the dowel);
• it is important to ensure that misalignment of the drill does not cause damage to the tiles;
• then carefully drive in the dowel and screw in the self-tapping screw.

Drilling large diameter holes

Drilling holes with a diameter of 2 cm or more is often performed before laying facing material. First, the future hole is marked on the tile, after which the product is laid on a lining of plasterboard or wood.

Drilling technology depends on the type of drill used:

1. If a ballerina is used for work, then the sequence of actions is as follows:
   • in the center of the future hole, a through hole is made with a small cross-section drill (3-4 mm);
   • use the ballerina’s moving leg to set the required size (it equal to half diameter);
   • we tighten the locking screw very firmly so that the leg does not move under the influence of centrifugal force;
   • We place the drill perpendicular to the tile and turn it on at low speeds, while ensuring a slight, uniform downward pressure of the tool (excessive forces will lead to jamming of the drill or rotation of the tile);
   • monitor the depth of the cut along the entire circumference, it should be the same;
   • If necessary, the edges of the hole are sanded with sandpaper or smoothed with pliers.

1. When working with a core drill, the process is greatly simplified:
   • if the crown has a central guide drill, then it is installed at the intended point and drilling is performed at low speeds with little effort (you will receive a hole with smooth edges that do not require additional alignment);
   • small crowns do not have a central drill, so work is carried out using a jig; it is attached to the ceramic surface with suction cups so that the future hole is located exactly above the marked center.

Important! Instead of a conductor, you can use a template cut from plywood. It is attached with tape to the tile. After the crown goes a couple of millimeters deep into the tile, the template is removed and further work is carried out without it.

1. If you can’t find a crown of the required diameter, use the “folk” method of drilling large holes:
   • a series of small diameter holes are drilled along the marked circle;
   • after this, the central fragment is carefully broken out;
   • The edge of the circle is finished with a file, sandpaper or needle files.

Common Mistakes

To prevent drilling tiles from leading to annoying mistakes in the form of cracks and chips, start learning from the mistakes of other craftsmen. Try to avoid the following mistakes in your work:

1. There is no need to mark directly on the tiles with the power of a pencil or marker. Firstly, not every pencil can leave a mark on smooth ceramics. Secondly, such a mark can be easily erased with an awkward movement. It is best to first seal the drilling area with masking tape and apply markings over it.
2. Some craftsmen try to core the center of the future hole so that the drill does not slide off the surface. But even if this is done with a sharp file or a hardened dowel nail, there is a risk of damaging the tile and causing cracks or even chips. If the surface is sealed with masking tape, the drill will not slip.
3. Do not use traditional carbide-tipped drills. They hardly pass the top, most durable layer of tiles and are designed to withstand shock and rotational loads.

Ceramic tiles are a beautiful, practical and versatile finishing material. It is perfect for decorating any room: kitchen, bath, toilet, hallway and living room. Laying tiles is a fairly simple process that every owner can do, but it is also important to be able to drill a hole in the tiles. After installing the tiles, you will need to install floor plumbing in the bathroom (in the toilet under the toilet), and you will also have to drill holes in the tiles for pipes and other communications. How to do this correctly so that the tiles do not crack? Let's try to figure it out.

It seems like drilling into a tile... simple task. In fact, you may be faced with a very strong material that may not only crack when drilled, but also be difficult to drill through. To solve these problems, just read this article

Before you begin, you should decide how to properly drill the tiles so that they do not crack. Knowing the basic principles will help you complete the job accurately and eliminate the need to look for replacements for cracked parts.

It is important to take the following into account:

• It is important to ensure that the working surface and drill do not overheat. The hot surface of the tile begins to crack faster, so it should be cooled from time to time by pouring cold water on it.
• The pressure on the tool should be controlled. If you press weakly, you will not be able to drill a hole, and too much pressure will cause the tile to break.
• When performing such work, it is unacceptable to use the reverse mode. The drill should rotate exclusively in one direction (clockwise), and always slowly.
• You should be careful when drilling holes in the seam between the tiles, as well as at the edge of the tile. In the first case, you need to start drilling exactly in the center of the seam, and in the second you need to make sure that the drill does not come off, otherwise a piece will definitely break off.

Important! There are often recommendations to knock off the glaze at the place where the tiles are drilled with any available tool. Perhaps 10-15 years ago such technology took place, but with modern drills this is only an extra risk of damaging the tiles, and it is strongly not recommended to do this.

Marking

An important stage in drilling tiles is preliminary marking. To do this, many people use stencils, adhesives, masking tape, and even paper tape. Stencils are cut from a sheet of plywood or chipboard.

It is also important to determine at the installation stage where the hole will be in the tile. To do this, it is specially necessary to move the tile so that the hole is exactly in the center of the tile. This reduces the likelihood of cracking. In addition, it creates an aesthetic appearance.

How to make markings with tape or adhesive tape? We mark on it the points at which we will drill (we calculate in advance correct distance between them, height, etc.), after which we attach the tape to the right place and begin work.

Difficulty drilling tiles

Ceramic tiles are durable and reliable material, but its surface is covered with rather fragile enamel. If the tile is drilled incorrectly, this layer easily cracks and chips form. To avoid this, you need to know how not to make a mistake when drilling tiles. Main mistakes:

• Selecting the wrong tools. Tiles are created by extrusion and pressing, and are highly durable. Selection is not correct drill often leads to tiles splitting. It is strictly forbidden to use drills for wood, metal or glass for these purposes. They are not sharp enough and during operation create uneven pressure, which leads to exceeding the strength threshold of the tile. Therefore, it is important to select special drills for drilling and do all the work carefully.
• Strong pressure on the surface. When working, do not put too much pressure on the tool, as when drilling other materials; ceramic tiles it must be done carefully, and pressure is applied to the tool only so that it remains in the correct position.
• You can drill into tiles only by holding the drill at a right angle. If you work at the wrong angle, this can lead not only to splitting of the tiles, but also to injuries (the drill easily jumps off).

How to drill a hole in tiles that have not yet been laid? It is recommended to do this on the floor, and place a board or chipboard underneath.

Equipment for drilling tiles

It is important to decide in advance how and with what to drill the tiles. To do this you need to select good drill, which should not be high speed or impact. Tools for work you will need:

• electric drill (minimum speed used during operation);
• cordless screwdriver (rotation speed no more than 800-1000 rpm);
• mains-operated low-speed screwdriver.

It is also necessary to select special drills that work on the principle of abrasive friction. They are different from those designed for drilling other surfaces (concrete, wood, metal, etc.). We will discuss this issue more specifically below.

Drilling algorithm: step-by-step instructions

First of all, you need to mark the center of the future hole with a marker or felt-tip pen. Next, we proceed directly to drilling a hole in the ceramic tile.

Important! It is necessary to cool the drill first by dipping it in cold water. This will help avoid overheating and cracking the enamel.

The main difficulty that many people encounter is the drill slipping. How can you easily make a hole in a tile for an outlet and avoid this?

There are three main ways:

1. A method that is not recommended to be used, but it can be done, is to beat off the enamel at the desired point, tilt the tile, or use a screw to make a small conical depression. We place the tip of the drill in this hole, it will be held steadily in one position, and drill the tile.
2. When working, you can use a jig; this is a bar with holes of different diameters. It is applied to the wall in the right place, pressed very firmly against the surface of the wall, and they begin to drill through one of the holes.

Important! If you don’t have a conductor, making one yourself is not difficult. We just make a hole in wooden board, and use it.

1. Place an adhesive plaster or mounting tape at the drilling site. They will help hold the drill while passing through the enamel layer, and will also help mark desired point on a surface.
2. If there is office corrector in the house (a white product for shading errors, sold in a bottle or in the form of a pencil), apply it to the surface and wait until it dries completely. The product creates a slight roughness on the tile, which allows the drill to hold steadily at the desired point.

How to drill a hole for a dowel in a tile

Often, in order to hang furniture in the kitchen or bathroom, it is necessary to make a hole in the tile for dowels. To do this, you need to work according to the following scheme:

• Apply adhesive tape or tape to the surface to prevent slipping. You can use any in a convenient way presented above.
• Mark the center of the future hole (it’s convenient to do this on the same patch, using a regular marker).
• On at this stage You should have already chosen what you will use to drill the tiles. We insert the drill bit into the drill and get straight to work.
• We set the device to minimum speed, place the drill perpendicular to the surface of the tile and drill. When the tiles are gone, you need to replace the drill with another one, or use a hammer drill to make a hole in the wall.

Drill selection

You need to find out in advance which drill you can use to drill ceramic tiles. For this, you cannot use drills for metal, wood or glass - they are not sharp enough. Therefore, you need to pay attention to one of the following options:

• Spear drill (tungsten carbide). This drill is more expensive than a Pobedit drill, but it is also more effective due to its increased hardness. Great for when multiple holes need to be drilled.
• Pobedite drill. If you need to drill ceramic tiles in a bathroom or other room in several places at once, this option is not the best. It is time consuming and can take more than an hour to drill one hole.
• Diamond tipped drill bits. The hardness of this product is much higher than that of tiles, so it quickly and efficiently allows you to make a hole in the tile. The disadvantage of such a drill is its high cost, and if you have to work with it once, the purchase becomes impractical.

Although buying an expensive drill is often unnecessary waste money, purchasing low-quality equipment is an equally dubious idea. The fact is that if the drill is not suitable for working on tiles, the tiles will begin to crack, and work will have to take several times more time.

Formation of large diameter holes

Often when drilling tiles you have to form holes large diameter. How to drill into tiles this way? There are several for this effective ways, each of which we will consider below.

Selecting a drill for installing a pipe socket

Conventional drills are not suitable for this task. It is recommended to use special centered drill bits. A diamond-coated crown or ballerina crown is best.

Drilling large diameter holes

This is a complex and painstaking work that is performed according to the following algorithm:

• We mark the center of the future hole and place a crown of the required diameter on the door.
• We place the drill in the center and start drilling at low speeds.
• As soon as the enamel layer has been passed, you can increase the speed slightly, and when the entire tile has been passed, we stop drilling.
• Next we use a hammer drill. It is important to do all work carefully.

Drilling with a crown
To form big hole, this tool is considered the most effective, but also the most expensive. When drilling ceramics using a crown, it must be constantly cooled with water, because the product overheats very quickly. The effectiveness of this method is due to diamond coating on the crown, which makes drilling faster and more convenient.

There are also more economical option core drills - a product with a serrated edge made of hard alloy, which can reach up to 15 cm in diameter.

Drilling by ballerina

When deciding what to drill into ceramics with, many people choose ballerina. It consists of a central drill of small diameter and an adjustable leg, which is moved away from the center to a certain distance and determines the diameter of the hole.

It is important to remember that installing the ballerina’s leg adjusts the radius, that is, half the diameter of the circle, which is important when working. After installing it, you need to tighten the screw firmly so that the leg does not move to the side during operation.

It is necessary to drill using a ballerina at low speed, without leaning on the tool. Due to strong pressure, it may jam. The device must be held at a strictly 90 degree angle.

Also, when working, you need to pay attention to the fact that the depth of the slot around the entire circumference is the same. It often happens that after work small area the tile remains uncut, then it must be carefully broken off with pliers. The uneven edge is then smoothed over with sandpaper.

What other tools can you use?

But what to do if there is no crown or ballerina in the house, and the hole needs to be made only once? Purchasing special attachments becomes impractical, so you can use other tools for the job. Let's look at exactly how you can drill through tiles without these attachments.

For example, an electric drill can be replaced with a hand drill. Of course, this will greatly increase the time spent on work, but the quality of the hole made will be higher. The main thing is to control the pressure on the tool and keep it at the right angle.

Using an angle grinder

This universal tool, which is used for quickly drilling holes in ceramic tiles. To work, you must purchase a special diamond-coated nozzle, and strictly follow safety rules when working. Step-by-step instruction:

1. Draw the outline of the future hole on the surface of the tile with a marker.
2. We install a carved disk on the grinder.
3. Let's get straight to work. It is necessary to move the tool away from you, initially outlining a contour, and then gradually starting to go deeper.

The edges of the cutout must be sanded.

Using a jigsaw

This is the simplest tool that almost every owner has. Before starting work, you need to purchase a tungsten filament. This is very handy tool for similar work, which allows you to make holes different sizes neat and efficient.

Among the disadvantages of this method, one can highlight its labor intensity: during work it is necessary to use physical effort, which quickly leads to fatigue, especially if it is necessary to make several holes. Step-by-step instruction:

• Using a marker, trace the outline of the future hole on the tile enamel.
• Using an electric drill, we make a starting hole through which we thread a tungsten thread, and then attach it to the jigsaw.
• We begin to smoothly saw along the inner contour of the marking, trying not to go beyond its limits.
• Upon completion of the work, trim the edges with sandpaper.

Processing tiles with improvised tools

But not everyone has a drill or electric jigsaw, what to do then? There are ways that allow you to make a hole in the tile using a regular glass cutter and pliers. To do this you need to follow the instructions:

1. We make markings and outline the outline of the hole.
2. Use a glass cutter to trace the outline, creating a shallow furrow.
3. Tap the surface with the head of the glass cutter to make the groove deeper.
4. Use pliers to carefully break off the cut section piece by piece.
5. We sand the edges with sandpaper.

Using special drill attachments

If you have special attachments for the door, the work will be simplified several times. Some of them, such as the ballerina, have already been mentioned earlier. As a rule, they have a central drill and cutter. The sequence of actions when using them does not change.

Using a Diamond Core

A diamond crown is an expensive, but reliable and durable tool. It is designed for repeated use, and the diamond coating will make the work quick, accurate and efficient.

Drilling tiles that have not yet been fixed to the wall

You can also drill ceramics before they are fixed to the wall. To do this, you should adhere to the following operating algorithm:

• Leave the tiles in water for half an hour before starting work.
• After this time, we transfer the tiles to a flat surface, it must be wood or concrete; you cannot drill tiles on a metal surface.
• We fix the tile in this position and mark the center of the future hole.
• We start drilling, carry out the work starting with low speeds, gradually increasing the speed.

Little tricks for drilling tiles

In any business, it is better to learn from the mistakes of others, and drilling holes in tiles is no exception. We've already found out how to drill ceramic tiles in the bathroom, kitchen and other rooms, but what else should you know?

They will help you get the job done to the highest possible quality. useful recommendations experienced craftsmen:

1. Drilling the tiles with an electric drill to prevent them from cracking should be done at a speed of no more than 1000 rpm.
2. If it is necessary to make a hole in tiles already attached to the wall, and a glass or ceramic drill is used, it must be replaced immediately after the tile layer has been passed through. The required depth of the hole must be made using a concrete drill.
3. It is also recommended to change the diameter of the drill. A drill is used to drill the tile itself larger diameter, and for a wall smaller by 2 mm.
4. You can make a hole in the seams between the tiles only when the width of the seam is greater than the diameter of the drill. Otherwise, the tiles will begin to crack and split.

In custody

Repair work does not end with laying the tiles, and after that you will definitely have to install communications, drill holes for sockets, pipes and furniture. To preserve the beauty of the tiles, this should be done correctly, and we hope we have told you all the secrets that will help with this.

At a certain stage in the process of renovation in a bathroom, toilet or kitchen, the need inevitably arises to drill technological holes in ceramic tiles.

Regardless of the cost of the tiles, you don’t want to disturb the beauty and evenness of the finish, but at the same time you need to hang a shelf or install an outlet.

The ideal option is to drill holes in the tiles before installation, but this procedure is not always possible. Let's look at how to drill tiles glued to the wall, avoiding the risk of cracks and chips.

Difficulties in working with ceramic tiles

Tile is one of the most durable finishing materials. It is resistant to aggressive environments, withstands operation in conditions of high humidity, has a hard and often slippery surface. The tile successfully withstands constant physical pressure, while the material is quite fragile to fracture.

All these properties create certain difficulties in working with tiles. The glossy surface of the tile also creates additional problems: the drill can slip and scratch the surface of the material, and if, when laying the tiles, voids were allowed in the adhesive solution, then when drilling, such a tile will most likely crack.

To make holes in tiles, it is necessary to use nozzles made of a material stronger than ceramic tiles. You need to know the technology of working with tiles, follow some rules and use the right tool.

Tool

Several tools are suitable for drilling a hole in a tiled wall:

• mechanical or hand drill;
• electric drill with the ability to adjust the number of revolutions;
• screwdriver with speed mode selection function.

You can use a hammer drill provided that the tool has a function to turn off the impact mode. Moreover, it can be useful for drilling holes in concrete or brick wall behind the tiles.

Depending on the modification of the selected tool, an adapter may be needed.

It is fundamentally important that the working tool has the ability to work at low speeds, because you should start drilling from a low mode, increasing the speed to 200 rpm.

To make a couple of holes, a hand drill is ideal: you can control the amount of pressure, and the tool will not vibrate.

Bits and drills

Once you have decided on the tool, you need to select a drill or attachment. The choice depends on the size of the hole required and the number of drilling points. You should not use ordinary drills for concrete: you will ruin both the tile and the drill, and the result will be disastrous.

Possible types of drills and attachments for working with tiles

Drilling technology

Having prepared necessary tools and nozzles, you can proceed directly to the drilling process.
The sequence of actions, regardless of the hole diameter, is the same:

If you use a power tool for drilling, you need to monitor the heat level of the drill. If you smell smoke, stop work and let the drill cool. The drill overheats due to increased friction, which means the load is too high and the tool cannot cope. The efficiency of work in this case is quite small. For more information on how to carefully make holes in tiles, watch this video:

Before you start working on ceramic tiles, soberly assess your skills and abilities. Drilling a hole in a tile is not difficult, but if the walls are tiled expensive material, Maybe, the best solution will hire a professional who is guaranteed not to spoil the finish and will do his job efficiently.

In this article we will tell you how to drill tiles correctly and accurately.

There can be many reasons for drilling tiles: it is to perform installation water pipe, an outlet is installed in the bath or kitchen, you need to hang a shelf, heated towel rail, etc. on the wall.

It seems that drilling into tiles is quite simple, but it must be done so that it does not crack or break completely.

To do this you just need to do a few things simple recommendations, and you will be satisfied with the result, having completed the work quickly and in the right way.

The tools you may need are the following:

• electric drill (for an accurate result, select the minimum number of revolutions);
• cordless screwdriver ( maximum amount revolutions for tiles range from 800 to 1000);
• corded screwdriver (also low-speed);
• hand drill (if you need to make a hole with a diameter of up to 12 mm).

Which drills are better to choose?

In this section we will look at which drill is best for drilling tiles. From the right choice It depends on how neat the hole will be and whether the piece of tile will need to be replaced.

Before you start drilling into tiles in the bathroom or kitchen, there are two things to remember.

Firstly, the tiled surface is quite slippery, so it is difficult to hold the drill in the required position to avoid slipping.

Secondly, to do everything correctly, you need special drills of the appropriate type; tips for brick or concrete will not work here - the tiles will immediately crack.

In order to solve the first problem, you just need to take a piece masking tape and stick it on the drilling site.

This way you will get rid of the slippery surface.

Choosing the right drill is a responsible matter in this matter. The following types are ideal.

Diamond Coated Drill

Of course, a tool with such a drill will allow you to drill through any tile most successfully, but do not forget that this method is the most expensive.

There is no point in buying an expensive drill if all you need it for is making small hole in the wall or floor.

On the other hand, almost everyone who professionally carries out apartment renovations has such tips.

Perhaps in this case the purchase will be advisable.

Drill with pobedite tip

Also an effective tool for drilling tiles, this is a more affordable alternative.

If you at least sometimes use a drill at home or in the country, then buy such a tip; it is sold in any construction supermarket or just on the market, and the result is very neat.

Special drills

The store may recommend even cheaper sets or individual drilling tools. various materials, including tiles.

However, there is already a danger of choosing a tip that, despite all the efforts of the seller, will turn out to be completely useless.

Therefore, in order to make a hole in a tile floor or wall, we recommend the second tool from this list.

How to drill into tiles without cracks?

The algorithm of actions is quite simple; you can drill tiles with your own hands quite easily even if you have no repair skills at all.

When calculating the drilling location, do not approach the edge closer than 15 mm. This will minimize the risk of cracks.

Before you start drilling the tiles, soak them in water for 30-60 minutes. This will further reduce the chance of cracks forming.

If pre-piece facing masonry did not soak, then you can at least wet the drilling site. This method is suitable if the tiles have not yet been glued to the wall.

The best way to work is not to drill the tile itself, but to make a hole along the seam.

Drilling tiles for dowels

In fact, the instructions are very simple, you just need to follow all the steps:

• Place a small piece of masking tape over the area where the hole will be drilled in the tile;
• Calculate the position of the hole (at least 15 mm from the edge of the tile) and mark it with a cross or circle directly on top of the glued piece of masking tape;
• Install the required drill. Remember that ordinary drills are not suitable for this task; you should choose them from the list above;
• Start drilling by holding the hammer drill (or drill) strictly perpendicular. At the same time, set the lowest speed;
• The finished hole must be adjusted to the dimensions of the dowel. To do this, take a regular concrete drill and carefully drill it out. In order not to miscalculate the depth of the hole itself, you can use a special limiter, but if you don’t have one, then make a mark on the drill itself;
• When the hole is adjusted to the dowel in diameter and depth, blow it out, remove dust and remaining concrete crumbs;
• Now you can insert the dowel. Please note that it should fit into the tile itself by a couple of millimeters.

How to make a hole with a hammer drill using a diamond-coated crown

Of course, diamond-coated crowns are far from cheap.

So, the price largely depends on the quality of the material. You can choose the most affordable option, but the cost will still remain quite high.

As a cheaper alternative, you can use a crown with pobedit teeth. This tip is enough for 20-25, or even 30 holes.

To work with such a tool, you need to know several subtleties. Pieces of tiles must be laid out on a flat and smooth surface. It shouldn't be too hard.

A good option is wood. After this, mark the drilling location with front side. Using the recommendations above, carefully make a hole of the required size using a hammer drill.

Do not press too hard on the tiles, otherwise it will be difficult to avoid cracks. If spraying or teeth good quality, then the hole will be ready in a couple of minutes.

How to make a hole in a large diameter tile

The easiest way to really quickly drill a hole is to use a so-called ballerina.

This is a special drill designed for drilling holes of various diameters in tiles.

This tool has a special sliding ruler, thanks to which you can adjust the width of the hole.

However, it is worth considering that while working with a conventional drill or hammer drill is not difficult, using a ballerina requires certain skills.

Therefore, before making a “finishing” hole, practice on unnecessary pieces of tile, just do not forget to wet the drilling site.

Another tool that can be useful for drilling large diameter holes is a circular saw.

It is easier to use than a ballerina, and it will take about 6-8 minutes to work, taking into account the average pressure on the drill. We recommend drilling the tiles before installing them on the wall or floor.

Firstly, in case of failure, you will not need to replace the entire sector, and secondly, it will simply be more convenient for you to work.

Before you start drilling, be sure to briefly immerse the piece of tile in water to avoid overheating.

Thus, there is nothing difficult in making a hole in tiles of any diameter yourself.

The main thing is to choose the right drill, set the minimum speed and do not forget to wet the piece of tile with water, otherwise overheating is inevitable.

Be careful when choosing the position of the future hole; do not place it too close to the edge.

Drilling a hole in a tile may be necessary in any home: for installing or moving sockets, for attaching shelves to the wall, for installing or, in installation work for carrying out plumbing or sewer pipe and etc.

For all these actions you will need to make a hole in the wall, and if the wall is tiled, then you need to try so that it does not crack or burst. To avoid cracks when drilling, you must follow simple tips and video recommendations that in the end the result will exceed all your expectations.

When drilling holes in a tiled wall, it is recommended to follow the instructions on how to drill through tiles so that they do not crack:

• make an indent from the edge of the tile when choosing a location for the hole. The indentation should not be less than 20 mm;
• eliminate excessive slipperiness of the surface of ceramic tiles by gluing masking tape or electrical tape to the drilling site;
• mark the place;
• work with a drill or screwdriver at low speeds;
• During the work, use special drills.

Preparing the necessary tools

To perform such work you will need the following tools:

• a hammer drill in drilling mode or an electric drill set to minimum speed;
• with speed set to 1000;
• , with low speed set;
• a hand drill, if necessary, make a hole of small diameter;
• prepare drills suitable for working with tiles;
• if you need to drill several holes, you will need a level;
• jig - a tool that is a thin plate with holes various sizes and diameter;
• pencil or felt-tip pen;
• livestock, duct tape or masking tape.

Which drill bits are best for drilling tiles?

How accurately the hole will be drilled and whether part of the tile will need to be replaced depends on the choice of drill. Before you start drilling material, you should pay attention to the following points:

• The top layer of tile is quite slippery. To prevent the drill from slipping, it must be held in a certain position. Sticking a piece of masking tape to the drilling site will help eliminate excessive slipperiness;
• In order to drill a hole in a tile, you need to select the appropriate drill bit. Drills for brick or concrete are not suitable in this case; the tiles will split and eventually crack.

To prevent the tiles from cracking, you should choose the right drill. The following types are suitable for drilling tiles:

• A diamond-coated drill will drill through tiles with the best quality. It has a high price. It is not economically profitable to buy an expensive tool for several holes. Diamond-coated tips are purchased mainly by those whose work is related to interior decoration;
• a drill with a pobedit tip is not inferior to diamond coating, but differs significantly in price and is more accessible to a wide range of consumers. A common type of drill, available for sale at any home improvement store. The result of using a drill with a Pobedit tip is quite neat holes, including in tiles;
• special drills, the cheapest for working with various types of surfaces and materials, including ceramic tiles. However, there is a risk of damaging the coating when performing work with such a tip.

The most the best option for everyday use is a drill with a pobedit tip.

Drilling tiles for dowels

This is quite simple to do, the main thing is to follow the instructions exactly:

How to drill tiles video

• It is necessary to stick a piece of masking tape onto the drilling site to eliminate excessive slipperiness;
• the place for the hole for the dowel should be at least 15 mm from the edge. On top of the glued masking tape, mark the place with a cross or circle;
• Install a drill bit suitable for working with the surface into the drill. The most the best option there will be a drill with a pobedite tip;
• holding the drill or hammer drill strictly perpendicular, start drilling in the designated place, setting the minimum speed;
• the resulting hole requires adjustment to the dimensions of the dowel. Carefully drill it out with a regular drill for brick or concrete. To drill into tiles to the desired depth, mark the drill bit itself at the desired distance;
• the hole corresponding to the dowel in width and depth must be cleaned of dust by blowing it through and removing any remaining concrete;
• insert the dowel, making sure that it goes into the tile a few millimeters.

How to drill a large hole in tiles

• Using a ballerina special tool, the simplest and quick way for drilling holes in tiles various diameters. The ballerinas are equipped with a special retractable ruler, which makes it easy to adjust the width of the hole. But using this tool, unlike working with a hammer drill or drill, requires special skills and abilities. Before using the ballerina for the first time, it would be a good idea to practice on unnecessary pieces of tile, previously soaked in water;
• A circular saw is a tool for drilling large diameter holes. Using a circular saw does not require special skills, and the work will take 5-7 minutes with average pressure on the drill. The tile should be drilled after it is securely fixed to the floor or wall, this makes working much more convenient, and in the event of a defect, there is no need to change the entire sector.

How to make holes in tiles (5 simple ways) video

Before work, wet the material to avoid overheating. Using the tools listed above, you will not have any difficulties when making large-diameter holes on our own, only four conditions must be met:

• choose the right drill;
• exhibit minimum value to revolutions;
• to avoid overheating, moisten the tiles with water;
• Do not place the hole close to the edge of the canvas.

How else can you drill into tiles?

There are other ways to drill into ceramic tiles without them cracking. To perform small jobs, you can use a crown with pobedite teeth. It has a small durability resource - it can be used to make about 20 holes. The crown sizes reach 15 centimeters. This bit can be used for drilling large diameter holes. The downside to crown molding is the uneven, chipped edges on the tile, no matter how carefully you work.

How to make a neat hole in a tile without a special tool video

In situations where you need to immediately drill a hole in tiles, and suitable tips are not available, you can use a carbide drill bit for drilling concrete. Such a drill must be sharpened or have a pobedite coating. This type of drill bit is not designed for tile work, but if you are careful, it can be used to drill fairly neat holes.