drilling ceramic tiles ?

allan673

hi,
i am wanting to fit a mirror in the bathroom. the walls are tiled.

i need to drill and plug 4 holes to fix the mirror - do i need a special drill to do this as i dont want to break a tile?

cheers

titewad_2

you can buy specific tile bits but i have always managed with a normal masonary bit.Just remember to make sure the "hammer" is turned off on your drill.Mark the tiles with felt tip where you want to drill,then place a strip of sellotape over each mark and drill through.

wallbash

Its a lot easier with a ceramic drill bit, but with care a normal masonry drill bit works.
Put some masking tape on tile , so that you don't slip.

wallbash

titewad types faster!!!

good advice, but I do find masking tape 'slips' less

allan673

cheers for the replies, much appreciated.

illzlee

these have worked wonders for me:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/53634/Drill-Bits/Tile-Drills/Erbauer-Tile-Glass-Drill-Set

wallbash

The correct drill bit is always best, but it justified for a one off job??

One last thing, please make sure the wall plug is pushed below the surface of the entire tile. i.e when the plug expands you dont want it to crack the tile

MX5huggy

We are all presuming it's a standard ceramic tile and not porcelain, but you won't do any damage if it's, but you won't drill a hole either!

lagi

i normally use insulating tape doubled up in a cross shape and use a small drill bit to make first hole. Also don't push too hard. But did see in either lidls/aldi this week a circular thing with a suction pad that you stick to the item then select drill size hole and it stops drill slipping. Looked a neat gadget.