How to cut a hole in the tile for the pipe

Using a diamond crown

Marking

Let’s start with a typical case where you need to drill a hole in the ceramic tile under the pipe outlet for the faucet in the bathroom.

Such things should be taken into account at the stage of laying, and try to make cutouts for pipes in the center of the tiles. This is done by shifting the layout or changing the starting point of laying in the right place. If you can not install the faucet exactly in the center, then you should try to hide this fact as much as possible, and not to highlight it by installing a number of decors or borders.

It is logical that both apertures should be at the same height. So the first thing to do before you drill a tile is to measure the same distance from the floor. In order not to fail the vertical, we use a plumb line with a weight or a bubble/laser level.

Next, you need to measure the required horizontal distance between the centers of the points and make two more marks. From the center of each point measure the radius of the hole so you know where the cutting line will go.

Be aware of the joint dimensions when marking tiles

Drilling

Switch the drill to drilling mode and set the RPM to minimum. Insert the diamond drill bit into the chuck. They come in different types, for example for concrete, wood or metal. do not confuse them when buying. Also look for the largest possible amount of diamond grit on the workpiece. It’s better to get drill bits with a center drill bit to reduce the risk of slipping.

We start drilling carefully, with a little pressure on the drill, but so that it does not move out of place. When the glaze is cut through, you can increase the speed and pressure. During drilling you must provide water to the core drill bit to keep it cool. Bosch has drill bits that have a coolant (olive oil) inside, you can work with them dry.

If you are using a small-diameter drill bit without a center drill bit, use a drill guide together with the drill bit to avoid misalignment. You can make one with your own hands in 1 minute from a scrap board or plywood. Make a hole of similar diameter in it and use it as a conductor, pressing it down with your hand.

Using the diamond tip

Marking

Let’s start with the typical case, when you need to drill a hole in ceramic tiles for the pipe outlet for the faucet in the bathroom.

Such things should be taken into account at the stage of laying, and try to make cutouts for pipes in the center of the tile. This is done by shifting the layout or changing the starting point of laying to the desired location. If there is no way to install the faucet exactly centered, you should try to hide this fact as much as possible, and not to emphasize it by installing a number of decors or curbs.

It is logical that both holes should be at the same height. So the first thing to do before you drill a tile is to measure the same distance from the floor. To avoid falling vertically, use a plumb bob or a bubble/laser level.

hole, tile, pipe

Measuring and marking the wall Next, you need to measure the required horizontal distance between the centers of the points and make two more marks. From the center of each point measure the radius of the hole to know where the cutting line will go.

When marking the tiles, take into account the size of the seam

Drilling

Switch the drill to drilling mode and set the minimum speed. Insert diamond drill bit in the chuck. They come in different sizes, for example, for concrete, wood or metal. do not confuse them when buying. Also take care that there is as much diamond grit on the workpiece as possible. It is better to use drill bits with a centering drill bit to reduce the risk of displacement.

Start drilling gently, with a little pressure on the drill, but make sure that it does not move out of place. When the glaze is cut through, you can increase the speed and the pressure.

During drilling you must put water on the tip to cool it down. Bosch has bits that have coolant (olive oil) inside, you can work with them dry.

If you use a small-diameter bit without a pilot drill, use a drill bit and conductor to avoid misalignment. You can make one with your own hands in 1 minute from a scrap piece of board or plywood. Make a hole of similar diameter in it and use it as a conductor, pressing it down with your hand.

Our offer includes core bits with diameters from 20 to 82 mm. The most common are the following sizes: 75 mm. slots, 68 mm. small slots, 45 mm. water outlets, 20-32 mm. holes for cables.

How to Cut a Round Hole in Tile for Pipes and Shower Heads

If you want to make a small hole in a ceramic tile, use a handheld electric drill. It is very desirable that it has a function for adjusting the speed of rotation. You can also use a cordless or cordless screwdriver. The best drill bits are special diamond bits (see “Special bits with diamond coating”).

Preparing to work

To cut a hole in the tiles without dust and other debris is almost impossible, and this dust, and often fine crumbs, flies chaotically in different directions. Also in the process often break off fragments of products. Therefore, the selection of personal protective equipment for the worker and the protection of the interior from contamination is necessary.

If you plan to make one or two holes in the tile already laid on the wall, it is easier to use the tried and tested method. fixing to the wall under the place of the future drilling package. It is glued to the wall with tape or masking tape, unfolded so that the dust falls into it.

If large scale is involved, this method is not suitable. Professionals use dust collectors with dust extraction. In domestic conditions, it is better to prepare a vacuum cleaner or a brush with a shovel, as well as to cover/cover the already finished surfaces, furniture and equipment with foil.

Personal protective equipment includes:

  • tight clothing with little permeability to dust;
  • High-quality shoes;
  • gloves;
  • safety glasses/mask;
  • Headgear or bandage (so you don’t have to shake the dust out of your hair afterwards);
  • A dust mask or wet mouth and nose bandage.

Earplugs or noise muffling headphones are also very useful, since the work is noisy.

Marking a hole in the tile for a socket, switch, or pipe

It is also necessary to pre-mark the places of drilling. on the wall/floor/ceiling, if the tiles have already been laid, or on individual tiles. The second option is preferable. Even if the integrity of the tile is broken, it can be replaced by another, and on an already tiled surface to disguise the defect is much more difficult.

There are many options for marking. from the simplest “guessing on the fingers” to the use of special templates, stencils, shapes.

Such here is a device template for copying the forms 250 mm EDMA DUPLIC FORM 088255. will easily transfer on the tiles of any complex contour and accurately make a hole in the tile for a pipe (pipes, protrusions walls and other elements).

Most home masters make do in the old fashioned way, by hand marking.

The photo above shows the installation of rosettes at the junction of four tiles. In reality, this is not always possible and you have to cut a hole in the middle of the panel or closer to one of its edges.

Here it is important to take into account that usually the interior elements of sockets and switches are round, so the hole must be round too, by 510% more than the base diameter of the electric product.

For more complex shaped interior elements, such as those shown in the photo below, it is worth doing not a round hole, but to match the four round cutouts in straight sections.

Some details about using the tool

Neither the drill bit nor the tile itself must overheat during cutting. Otherwise, cracks will appear in the upper layer of the material, which can cause it to split. The treated surface is cooled, periodically pouring water on it.

It is very important to press the drill correctly. The pressure is not supposed to be too weak, otherwise you just can not cut anything, nor too strong, so as not to break the tile. The optimum degree of pressure on the tool must be worked out.

When drilling tiles, it is necessary to exclude the reverse mode. The rotation of the drill is clockwise at low speed. Otherwise, the material will start to crack.

If you do not know how to drill a hole in the joint of a tile, then the process may end up “losing” the tile. Pay attention to the location of the center of the hole: its place is the middle of the seam. If you start drilling near a seam, the drill usually slips into it. As you know there is no protective layer on the edge of the tile, so it is likely that a chip will form.

Drilling ceramic with a tile drill bit

The special feature of this drill bit is its carbide spear tip, which makes the drilling process more precise. Similar drills are used when drilling holes in the glass, which is known to be quite fragile.

How to make a hole in a tile? The production process consists of several nuances. To prevent the sharp edge of the drill bit moved away to the side, it is recommended to glue masking tape on the tile, and then on it already put a pencil to mark the future hole. Thanks to the tape, the drill bit will remain in the place where you put it, and there will be fewer chips in the tiles.

It is not recommended to use tape, because it can leave glue that will be difficult to wipe off the tiles, especially if they have an uneven surface. In the future in that place can appear dark stain.

How to make a hole in ceramic tile for a pipe or hood.

Drill a hole in the ceramic tiles can be a low-speed drill or an electric screwdriver of sufficient power. Even the use of a hand drill. the so-called hammer. is acceptable, although it is convenient to work only with small holes in the number of one or two pieces.

The diameter of the hole determines the nature of the tool. For sizes up to 10 mm, conventional twist drills with a pobedite tip or feather drills. also with a pobedite or diamond lance tip. are more suitable.

For larger holes, it is better to use core bits with pobedite or diamond working edges. When it is necessary to make a large number of holes of different sizes, the so-called ballerina is used. a device that resembles a compass. It has an alignment drill and a cutter that rotates at a given (adjustable) distance from the ballerina axis, cutting an edge in a circle.

Characteristic sharpening of carbide drills

Masters suggest in the extreme case, in the absence of other options, to use quality self-tapping screws. Unfortunately, the risk of tile damage in this case is much higher than when using a professional tool.

When creating geometrically complex cutouts, in addition to drilling, tile cutting is used with other tools. tile cutters (manual or electric), angle grinder, glass cutter.

If we are talking about creating complex, but consisting of rectilinear and circular sections of the contour, it is recommended to first perform drilling in the required places, and then cut fragments between the individual holes.

Perhaps for a smooth connection of the contour (as in the photo above) will also need nadpils on metal or a grinding wheel.

It is very useful to use the so-called conductor when working with tiles. It is the pad, usually plastic, which helps to center the drill bit and keeps it from deviating from a strict vertical with respect to the tile surface.

What drill bit to drill tiles in the bathroom

In bathrooms the need to drill a hole in the tiles occurs either when you need to hang a shelf, a rack, a closet, a mirror, or during the repair, when you need to drill a hole of large diameter under the pipes and sprinklers. In the first case, the tile is already glued in place, the holes are small, for dowel Ø 4. 12 mm. In the second option of work performed before gluing liner, as in the wall / floor is sticking out nipple of water / hot water, sewerage, or there is a hole in the air duct. Holes are large, usually used drill bits, contour drilling, shape cutting diamond disc angle grinder or attachment all-in-one printer.

The easiest and cheapest ways to drill tiles

To equip the kitchen or bathroom with shelves, cabinets and various accessories is required to make holes in the wall, already finished with tile. The hole must go into the wall to a certain depth, a nylon dowel is inserted into it, a screwdriver is screwed into the dowel.

Because of its fragility, ceramic tiles when drilled can crack, split into pieces and become completely unusable. There are various reasons for this, but most often it is caused by the person making the work. In order to avoid such unforeseen situations, it is necessary in the work with this capricious material to adhere to certain rules.