Drilling through tile
 

We are in the final stages of a home renovation/addition project in the Noah household. We have installed subway tile (3"x6") in one bathroom, around the tub/shower. I hate those expandable shower curtain rods that always seem to slip and fall. Therefore I want to install a permanent shower curtain rod, where the ends are held in place, screwed into the walls. My general contractor refuses to drill through the tile, as he is afraid the tile will crack. I understand his concern, as drilling through tile isn't the same as drilling into sheetrock or wood studs, but is there some sort of unwritten rule that you should never ever drill holes through subway tile?

Again, the tiles are oriented in traditional staggered configuration horizontally and measure 3"x6", so they're not big. The curtain rod's mounting plate is about 2" in diameter, with horizontally-oriented mounting holes (holes are to be side-by-side, not one on top of the other), so I should be able to put both holes into one piece of tile, decently away from any tile edges.

With a masonry drill bit I wouldn't have any concerns drilling into ceramic tile. The hardest part is getting the hole started right where you want it. A steady hand and some patience wins out.

I mounted the shower rods (those kind that bow out at the top) in our showers without any problem. If you have porcelain tile, I think you need to get a dedicated bit for porcelain.

Wouldn't the proper adhesive do the same thing with no risk of cracking or water leaking?

As long as you have stud backing behind the tile to drive screws into no biggy. I'd use a carbide scribe to cut through the top layer of the tile and drill with about anything. Do no use a hammer drill function btw. The tile would probably eventually crack no matter if you drill through it or not. Up at the rod it's out of the water zone anyway so who cares. If contractor is that worried just have half a box saved or so for a later date if it doesn't work out

Interesting question. Anyone know of an epoxy I could use in this situation?

Paging Trekkor

Maybe I don't know what the hell I'm doing, but in my past, I've never had any success drilling through porclean tiles no matter what type of bits I used, and I tried several....years ago. Floor tiles though....I don't even try anymore....I just plan tile layouts, etc. ahead of time and use my tile wetsaw to make appropriate cuts....YMMV. I wouldn't even try....use an adhesive imo....

Trekkor will know....:)

I've had success with Bosch bits.
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-GT2000-Glass-Tile-4-Piece/dp/B001GNC8RI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1516216125&sr=8-3&keywords=bosch+tile+bit

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1516216160.jpg

^^^ Use these bits and go SLOW. Let the bit drill the hole and use very little pressure on the drill.

Automotive body molding tape? I kept the bodywork on a lot of Pontiacs attached for lots of years.

why wouldn't you drill into the grout between the tiles? any cracking would be covered by the trim piece.

What's the backup plan if the tiles crack, etc.?

If Trekkor can recommend an adhesive, that's the route I would pursue if it were me...YMMV.

That's if it's just holding a shower rod & curtain though....if ya wanna do pullups or use it for kinky shower sex then mebbe not :)

I recently installed shower doors and drilled through tile using these style bits. They weren't bosch but worked perfectly. No cracked tiles, no drama.
Got em at home despot.

From the big box store:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-1-4-in-Diamond-Drill-Bit-DW5572/202548301

I've used this style diamond tipped bit but in Hitachi brand. Works great! Made for porcelain and other tile.

put a piece of blue tape down..then mark the hole on the tape. drill thru. the tape gives you just enough traction to allow the drill to go into the right spot.

+1

There are bits for drilling through glass tiles. They don't last long but you can extend their life by spraying water as you slowly drill.

If you are doing a straight rod, just use the curtain rods that expand. They old up fine.

If you really want to drill it, I've used the bosche bits also.

This is what I've always done.

Same for exterior brick.

This is the bit I used. They have them up to 1/2" diameter :

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1516231185.jpg


BLACK+DECKER
1/8 in. x 2-1/4 in. Carbide Glass/Tile Drill Bit

$6.98 /each
This BLACK & DECKER 1/8 in. x 2-1/4 in. Glass/Tile Drill Bit is a specialty bit with a carbide tip. It is for drilling in tile, glass, ceramics and mirrors. It fits 3/8 in. drills or larger.

The Bosch bits are perfect for what you want to do. The reason a tile cracks is from pressure. Cracks usually occur in the beginning or at the very end. In the beginning when you apply heavy pressure to break through the outer glaze. At the end when the bit starts to go through it may twist or catch a fragment.

To prevent cracking in the beginning. Mark your holes. Take the bit before chucking in it the drill. Place it at your mark and tap it very gently until you see the glaze crack. You don't need to go all the way through the glaze just crack the surface. Do this with all the marks.

Chuck the bit and let the bit do the work. Slow speed light pressure. Hold the drill straight. When you feel it break through the back go even slower. It doesn't hurt to back the bit out at this point and check things out.

what sort of contractor cant drill tile? Almost every tile job requires it. What does he do around plumbing fixtures? Some tile drills alot more difficult than others and some crack super easy. Generally standard wall tile is the easiest. If they break no big deal if its a fresh installation he has extras and its easy to replace. Drilling for a shower rod is standard procedure. Also they are much less likely to crack when they are cemented in place. Drilling on the grout line is much more likely to cause damage because the bits only have flutes they chatter and break tiles and bits.

You know I think that might be one of the bits I tried...I do remember carbide tip. I could never even get one to make a dent...even with Vash's tape tip...

I reckon I just suck at this :)

Maybe you just had really really tough tiles ;)

The ones I drilled through were fairly soft and the bit was really sharp, I could almost dent the glaze just by applying slight pressure on the drill.

Sam is correct. That is the bit to use on Subway tile. Porcelain tile is a very different animal.

And I thought it was just me :).

I have drilled through glass tile with those Bosch bits with great success. Just let the bit do the work and don't push hard. You can also have a little cup of water to occasionally dip the bit into if it is getting hot. Haven't cracked a tile yet and I've done it on 3 occasions.

Yeah, that was my first thought, too, when Mrs. Noah explained to me why the contractor didn't install the shower curtain rod.

I've uneventfully drilled through porcelain tile in the past, but not yet subway tile. Wondered if there was something I was totally missing.

Water cooled diamond bits. Works great and actually bites in and doesnt dance all over the surface like a conventional bit.

https://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-728023-1-4-Inch-Diamond-Cooling/dp/B000NK9G98

How do you do that on a wall?

The one I posted a link to shows it. It has a little box that holds the water. Leaks maybe, but it does the job.