Tile drilling tips | Your expert guide for tiles
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Drilling tiles tips - You can make drilling tiles much easier with the necessary knowledge!
1. Tip 1 - How do I cleanly drill tiles without damaging them?
1.1 Tip one - mark the drill hole correctly
In our experience, the first mistake people make when drilling holes in tile is improperly marking or copying the hole. Mark your desired drill hole correctly. It is best to use a washable marker or a pencil for this. If you don't do this step correctly, the rest is for naught.
1.2 Tip Two - Do not drill near the tile joint
In order to avoid damage to the tile as much as possible, it is really advisable not to drill near the edge of the tile (joint). Our tip: You should keep a distance of at least 2 cm, otherwise there is an increased risk that the tile will break.
1.3 Tip Three - Use masking tape
You can use masking tape to mask off the desired drill hole in advance. The painter's masking tape ensures that the drill bit adheres better when you start or drill loose the tiles.
The chance of slipping is therefore significantly lower. Our tip: Even if the masking tape is slightly transparent, go the extra step and mark the drill hole again on the adhesive piece.
1.4 Tip Four - Collect Dust
You can use your masking tape to make a small collection container, which you then stick directly under the drill hole. So you can save yourself the vacuuming and most of the drilling dust is caught if it falls down.
2. Drilling tiles without a tile drill?
Depending on the type of tile, these drills can be helpful:
- ceramic drill
- glass drill
- masonry drill
- multipurpose drill
It is not absolutely necessary to use a tile drill for drilling tiles. That doesn't mean that carbide or diamond tile drills aren't a much better choice, or even the only choice for drilling extremely hard tiles.
2. Tricks to extend the life of the drill
2.1 Trick One - Use some water
Water helps with drilling. It doesn't matter whether it's metal, concrete or just the tiles. Water can provide additional cooling when drilling tiles. For this you can put some water on the drilling site or hold the drill in the water from time to time.
Our tip: Use cold tap water for maximum efficiency.
2.2 Trick Two - Use cooling wax
Cooling wax can be purchased already built in, like a diamond drill bit for tiles, or purchased as a coolant to apply. Cooling wax is a gel-like mass that has a cooling function.
The most frequently asked questions about drilling tiles
1. How do I recognize a tile drill that is designed for tile drilling?
First of all, you should look at the information on the packaging to see if it is designed for this.
Alternatively, a sharpened hard metal tip that has two or more cutting edges is characteristic of a tile drill. You can recognize a diamond drill for tiles by the diamond segment that is attached to the end of the drill.
2. How deep should I drill when drilling tiles?
The drilling depth depends on the thickness of the tile and the intended use of the hole. In general, the drilling depth should be sufficient to anchor the anchor or screw securely to the substrate without damaging the tile.
3. Can I drill tiles without cooling wax or water?
Yes, it is possible to drill tiles without cooling wax or water. However, these tools are recommended because they extend the life of the drill and achieve a cleaner drilling result.
4. How to avoid cracks in the tile when drilling?
To avoid cracking the tile, you should make sure you mark the drill hole correctly, do not drill too close to the tile joint and use masking tape to increase the adhesion of the drill.
5. Are all types of tiles equally difficult to drill?
No, the difficulty of drilling tiles depends on the hardness and density of the tile in question. Porcelain stoneware and natural stone tiles are the "most difficult" to drill.