If you’ll pardon the pun, we know the drill. You’ve just planned your perfect bathroom, and Rockform Tiles Preston have supplied you with everything you need for the tiled look you want. The thing is, how are you going to fix your towel rail, bathroom cabinet or toilet roll holder to the wall without ruining those tiles?
It’s actually not as complicated as you might think to drill into bathroom tiles. Of course, tiles are designed to be strong, and they’d rather crack than give in to a drill, so preparation and patience is the key if you want to avoid destroying a tile.
Equipment You’ll Need
1) An electric drill
2) A diamond drill bit. Standard drill bits won’t be strong enough, or will leave a rough finish.
3) Masking tape
4) A spirit level
5) A pen or pencil
6) The item you want to put on the wall
Instructions
Once you’ve decided where you’re going to position your item, put masking tape over the area. Masking tape has several uses, but in this case, it’s going to give you a surface you can draw on, which you can’t do easily on tiles. Place your item against the taped area, and mark where the fixing holes for the screws need to be onto the masking tape.
If you’re putting up a shelf, use your spirit level to check that the points are level at this point.
Now you’re ready to drill. We’d recommend a pair of safety goggles and a face mask, particularly if your tiles are likely to create dust and chips as you drill. Place your drill bit against your first mark on the masking tape, and apply gentle pressure as you drill slowly into the tile. Friction will build up and generate heat in the drill bit, so stop every few seconds and allow the drill bit to cool down before drilling a bit deeper. Don’t drill for more than five seconds, as the heat could damage your drill bit. It will be far too hot to touch, so don’t put your fingers near it. It will take longer than just drilling into wood or masonry, but patience will give the best results.
With the hole drilled to the required depth for your item, peel off the masking tape and clean the surface of the tile with a damp cloth to remove surface debris, and if you want to be really thorough, vacuum up against the holes to remove any dust trapped in them.
This may seem like a long winded way to do things, but the key to success is taking your time and looking after your drill bit. Follow these instructions and you’ll be unlikely to crack any tiles. Any questions? Just get in touch with our friendly staff by calling 01995 643455, or contact us here.
