Drilling Ceramic Tiles

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If you are putting in a new bathroom or a kitchen floor, you may need to drill through ceramic tiles. The first time I tried drilling through them I cracked, broke, and scratched them beyond repair. Replacing one of two tiles is okay, but if you are breaking every 3^rd or 4^th one, the price adds up. To help prevent this kind of waste, let’s look at how to do it properly.

First you will need the proper drill bit for ceramic. You will need a carbide-tipped drill bit and nothing else will be suitable. All of the other drill bits won’t be able to cut through the ceramic surface which will lead you to use more force. This extra force will put the tile under too much dress and thus causing it to crack or break. If you can’t find the bit at your hardware store, you should ask a clerk to assist you. There is no substitution.

Another problem is having the drill bit dance on the top of the tile and not stick in one place so that you can make a hole. A simple solution is to put a couple pieces of tape in an X pattern on where you want to make the hole. This will help prevent the bit from dancing around and will help reduce chipping around the holes edges. Start off with a slow speed and to not force the drill down. Just hold it steady under a small amount of pressure. It is best to drill slowly through the whole tile, to prevent problems. Tiles are thin and it won’t take long to get through it.

You should place a piece of wood under the tile you are drilling through. Once you are almost though to the other side, slow the drill a bit more. This will help splintering and cracking on the other side. Technically you should change the bit at this point to avoid damaging the carbide tip, but I usually don’t drill too much into the piece of wood.

Most drills are suitable to cut through ceramic tiles. But the best ones are the ones that you can control the speed of the drill. The best tip I can give you for drilling ceramic tiles is to take it slow. If you are scared to ruin a lot of tiles, take one tile and use it as a test to drill 10 or 15 holes in.

Please have a look at some of our other safety tips on the side menu. Being aware of the dangers will help prevent accidents that shouldn't occur in the first place.

Good Luck!