How to drill into tiles without cracking them

Drilling into tiles can be a delicate process and requires specialist drill bits. Read on to learn more about how to drill into tile correctly.

Drilling into tile is usually because you are installing a switch or an electrical outlet of some kind or you have a fixture that is going up on the wall, like a shelf or hook etc.

Firstly you will need to know what type of tile you are going to be drilling into as they will require different drill bits. It’s important to select the right drill bit otherwise it can lead to damaging your tile.

To read more about selecting the right drill bit, read our selection guide here.

Most wall tiles are made from a ceramic, which aren’t as dense as porcelain or natural stone tiles, therefore they are easier to drill through. For this job, you will need a Tungsten Carbide Tipped drill bit.

We recommend using a new drill bit when drilling into a tile to ensure it performs at max efficiency, leading to less chance of damaging your tile.

As porcelain tiles and natural stone tiles are dense, they are harder to drill through and therefore require a more hardy drill bit. A Diamond Tipped drill bit can be used on either wall or floor tiles.

Some diamond drill bits are water cooled whilst others are filled with wax to stop the bit overheating and damaging the diamonds. The type of drill bit required depends on whether it is a wet or dry cut.

Now that you’ve got the right drill bit, let’s explore the technique of how to drill a tile.

Power Drill – use a new drill bit with your drill for maximum efficiency

Drill Bits – select a diamond tipped or carbide tipped bit for your tile and a masonry or wood bit for your substrate

Tape Measure – measure where your hole needs to be

Masking Tape – stick some tape to the tile to mark an X where you want to drill and create tension for the drill (particularly useful for dry drill bits)

Pencil/Tile Marker – use to mark your masking tape

Wooden Block – if you have multiple holes to drill, you can use wood to create a template or guide when drilling your tiles

Sponge – a wet sponge will help keep your drill bit cool

Safety Goggles – protect eyes from bits of debris particles that can be produced by drilling

Dust Mask – dust and debris will be released into the air

Safety Gloves – Latex grip safety gloves are recommended

As the surface of a tile is often slippery the drill bit can slide across the surface, allowing this to happen can cause scratching or even cracking of the tile. To avoid this occurring, invest in a drill bit guide, particularly useful if you’re using a wet drill bit.

If you’re using a dry drill bit, create some tension by using a piece of masking tape over the area where you want to drill the hole. Measure the area and mark an X where the drill bit needs to sit. If you’re drilling multiple holes then instead of repeating the process, a drill bit guide would be quicker.

When drilling, remember to apply constant pressure but never too much as this could crack the tile, let the drill bit do the work.

Start at a slow speed, operating in rotary mode only with the hammer action switched off. Going at full speed will only result in overheating the drill and creating vibrations that could damage the tile’s surface.

If you’re using a water-cooling system, make sure it’s topped up with clean cold water before beginning to drill. This will ensure the drill bit is constantly wet and cool, without using too much force, let the drill bit go through the tile.

To ensure the longevity of your drill bit, only drill through the depth of the tile and then use a suitable drill bit for the substrate underneath your tiles. Drilling through the tile into the substrate could cause your wall anchor or raw plug not to hold properly, and the accents will be loose.

Conventional plastic plugs or lightweight cavity fixings are generally used in most cases but be sure not to over-tighten the fixing as this could lead to damaging the tile.

It’s key to select the right drill bit for your tile type and keep it cool. Ensure you measure out your hole correctly and then take your time letting the drill do the hard work for you and you’ll avoid damaging the tile surface.