Can I put screws into tiles?

blackcloud

Hello all

I bought this item for inside my shower

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221939294980?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=520828124468&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

And noticed it comes with screws and fixings, but will this work in my tiled shower? Can I put screws into the tiles?

Any advice appreciated!

FreeBear

Yes, but....

You will need to use a diamond drill bit without hammer action on you drill. If you have solid brick behind the tiles, continue to drill in (with a masonry bit & hammer action) and make sure the wall plug goes in beyond the tile. If it is a stud wall, you may be lucky and hit a wooden stud, if not, you'll need a special wall fixing.

After the holes have been drilled (and wall plugs inserted), fill them with silicone sealant before putting the screws in.

Another thought - If the fixings are small enough, you might find that they will go in the wall on a grout line - If they do, it will save on the agro of drilling a tile ant the risk of cracking one or more.

keith969

As above, but - you can use a masonry bit to drill through tiles, if you are careful. Make a mark on the tile by pressing the drill onto the tile and rocking it a bit while pressing to chip the surface. You need to do this else the drill will skid over the tile surface, practise first on an old tile. Then drill (non hammer mode) very slow speed until through the tile.

I wouldn't drill into grout lines myself as its not easy starting a hole on a tile edge.

Rolandtheroadie

Drilled a few holes in tiles the past week, masonary drill bit and a bit of tape over where the hole's going to be.

tonyh66

if you try to drill on a grout line, chances are you will knock chips out of or even crack the tiles, if the drill is bigger then the grout.

Chrishazle

As Roland says, put masking tape over where the hole is to go, pencil mark for the hole, then follow the other advice given. Done this many times over the years!

Waterlily24

My hubby always puts masking tape on the bit he's going to drill too.

phil24_7

Agree with masking tape and I also like to use a tile bit...like these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-tile-glass-drill-bit-set-3pcs/53634?kpid=53634&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CK_00JmwtM8CFQVuGwodWR0Bbg

Kiran

Both methods work. If you are using a standard masonry bit make sure its not completely blunt otherwise it will skid about.

Wassa123

They make special drill bits for tiles, as Phil posted. They look like small arrow heads. You have to go very slowly so that you don't put a lot of pressure on the tile and it cracks.

You want the screw to go through the tile, and attach into whatever is behind the tile so make the hole first and then use a wall plug and insert the screw into that.

There is a video on youtube for this that I followed when doing this for a towel rail.

Also, as this is going in your shower, you have to be careful water cannot get in through these new holes that you are making.

27cool

phil24_7 wrote: »

Agree with masking tape and I also like to use a tile bit...like these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-tile-glass-drill-bit-set-3pcs/53634?kpid=53634&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CK_00JmwtM8CFQVuGwodWR0Bbg

Tile bits are by far the best way to drill a tile. But definitely use a bit of masking tape to prevent the drill slipping.