Ceramic tile has a hard and brittle structure that makes it easy to damage tiles and drill bits. Adopt a patient approach using the right tools to increase the chances of successful tile drilling. Hopefully, you won't have to read the guide to fixing cracked tiles.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Drilling Ceramic Tiles
Step 1. Clean the tile surface
Wipe the tiles with a cloth dampened in a mild soapy water. Check the tile surface first. If cracked, the tile will need to be replaced before proceeding.
Step 2. Select the drill bit
Ordinary drill bits may not be able to penetrate the tile or break it. Find a suitable drill bit using the following guidelines:
- Glass or tile drill bits are shaped in such a way as to reduce the possibility of breaking the material to be punched. This drill bit should have a carbide tip.
- Diamond drill bits are much more expensive, but are capable of penetrating very hard tiles. You'll need it to punch holes in modern porcelain tiles (made since the late 1900s) as they are much tougher than ceramic tiles.
- Masonry drill bits are made of carbide-tipped steel. These drill bits are strong enough to penetrate tiles, but their shape increases the risk of breaking porcelain and other fragile tiles.
- As a last resort, use a high speed steel drill bit (high speed steel aka HSS). This drill bit will wear out after making 1-2 holes.
- If you are making large holes for pipe fitting, use a hole saw blade made from one of the materials above. Make sure the central pilot eye is also made of the appropriate material.
Step 3. Put on safety glasses
Ideally, tiles should not be broken or chipped. If this happens, your eyes must be protected.
Step 4. Cover the area with masking tape
Cover the area with tape in an X shape to mark the location of the hole. This will help the drill bit gain friction and reduce the chance of slipping. This tape also keeps the outer lip of the hole from being pryed.
Step 5. Tap the drill bit lightly with a hammer
The drill bit may slip and jump on the smooth surface of the tile, unless you make a pre-drilled hole to secure it. Hold the drill bit above the X mark and tap it with a hammer. Tap gently so as not to damage the tile, and repeat until you have made small holes in the surface.
If you are using a solid drill bit larger than 0.5 cm, it is a good idea to pre-drill the hole using a small drill bit first
Step 6. Drill through the tiles carefully
Set the drill on low speed and apply moderate pressure to the tile surface. Let the drill work slowly instead of pressing hard and damaging the tiles. This step usually takes 3-4 minutes.
- If you press too hard, the tile may crack and crack in the back, creating a weak spot in the tile and the hole will often be larger than planned.
- Diamond drill bits are very susceptible to rapid drilling. Do not drill more than 600 rpm for a diamond drill bit under 1.25 cm, or 450 rpm for a 1.25-2.5 cm drill bit.
Step 7. Lubricate the tiles with water when drilled
The friction from drilling hard materials generates high heat, which can burn drill bits or even break tiles. Protect the tile and drill bit by continuously pouring water. You can use a water hose, a spray bottle, or a glass of water.
- Drill "pump" every 15-20 seconds in an up-and-down motion. This step draws water from the drill bit that experiences the most friction
- The temperature of the drill bit should not be more than slightly warm. If it's too hot, dampen it until it's cold.
- Instead, lubricate the drill with drill oil.
Step 8. Pierce the backboard
You can switch to a regular drill bit if you want. Continue to drill slowly and patiently to maintain the condition of the wood or wall behind the tiles. A damaged backboard will make it difficult to anchor screws or anything else to insert.
Part 2 of 2: Repairing Cracked Tiles
Step 1. Patch minor cracks with epoxy or tile putty
You can repair the crack without having to replace the tile, as long as the tile is still strong enough. You can use specialized tile repair kits, but ceramic epoxy will suffice. Mix and stir the two components using scrap wood, then spread them over the cracks using a clean rag. Wipe off excess mixture using a second washcloth.
Make sure the epoxy doesn't hit the grout between the tiles
Step 2. Apply color to hide the fix
There are two ways to remove repair marks:
- Before patching, mix the epoxy with an epoxy dye of the same color as the color of the tile.
- As an alternative, you can paint the repair marks after filling using an oil-based enamel paint marker.
Step 3. Choose a replacement tile if the damage is severe enough
Purchase replacement tiles for damage that exceeds minor cracks. Take the tiles to a home improvement store to make sure you buy new tiles of the same size, shape, and pattern.
Also consider the thickness of the tile. If the replacement tile is thinner, it will need to be equal in thickness to the mastic layer
Step 4. Open the grout around the tile
Carefully cut the grout around the damaged tile. The job will be easier if you have a grout saw, but you can also use a hammer and chisel. Work slowly so that the grout can be removed safely without damaging the surrounding tiles
Step 5. Break off the rest of the tiles
Use a hammer and big chisel to break the broken tiles. Adjust so that the corners are away from you and starting from the center so as not to damage the backboard.
Wear gloves and safety glasses. Spread out the cloth to protect the surrounding tiles from ceramic debris
Step 6. Reattach the tile adhesive
Scrape off any remaining adhesive using a putty knife. Spread a thin layer of new mortar on the walls or floor.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing the mortar. We recommend that you wear a dust mask
Step 7. Hit the new tile
Make sure the tile is level by tapping it with a rubber mallet, or wood wrapped in cloth. Scrape off excess mortar from the grout line with a screwdriver.
Step 8. Reinstall the grout
Allow the tiles to dry overnight, or as directed in the mortar usage guide. Mix the grout, then fill the lines around the tile using a plastic putty knife. After a week, use a grout sealer to protect it from moisture.
