In the article you will learn how to choose the right drill bit and not to be afraid to drill a hole even in tiles. This will avoid unnecessary problems with cracked tiles or scratched tiles.
Many of us are renovating and looking through catalogues of beautiful bathrooms. Many times it happens that the tiler does the job and we decide to finish our new bathroom. We install a shampoo holder here, a towel holder there, a mirror, a shelf, and it happens that a tile cracks while drilling. However, this unpleasant experience can be avoided and unnecessary problems can be avoided. So how to drill into the tiles properly and without fear?
The right drill and drilling machine are essential
If we have decided to drill the necessary fixings into the walls ourselves, it is necessary to consider whether our home equipment is sufficient. Cracking of tiles often occurs when the wrong drill or drill is chosen. Let us therefore orient ourselves in the drills and the drilling method.
Drilling into metal
For drilling into metal materials we use a range of different drill bits with different markings. These are usually steel drill bits. Depending on the hardness of the material to be drilled, there are also special drill bits. For softer materials, we quickly cut steel, which is characterized by affordability but has a shorter service life. For harder materials, steel drill bits with cobalt or titanium. These are specifically designed for hard metals and are characterised by their durability, but also by their higher price. Drilling into metal can also be done by running the drill quickly without using a hammer.
Drilling into wood
Drilling into wood has its own specifics and if we want to drill holes that are precise and of high quality, we have to use drill bits designed for this purpose. An experienced builder will recognise a spiral wood drill at a glance because it is characterised by a threaded tip, a sharp edge and wide grooves for sawdust removal. These drills are unsuitable for other materials. Drill into wood without a bit and choose a slower speed so that the drill can remove excess sawdust.
Drilling into masonry or tiling
This is where many DIYers often use metal drill bits in one-off drilling jobs. With soft masonry, it is also possible to drill a hole with such a drill bit, but what about a stone wall or tile? Here, such a drill will not stand a chance. At best, it will only dull the drill bit itself, but it can also cause major complications such as breaking it or cracking the tile. We know that we can also drill into masonry with the help of a dowel. But be careful here if we want to drill a hole in tiles. These usually have a resistant top layer, which is often slippery. Slipping of the drill bit can cause scratches in the tiles. The use of an impact driver would cause the tiles to crack. So how to proceed correctly and not let your new bathroom be spoiled?
For safe drilling in tiles, diamond drill bits or complete sets are particularly suitable. Especially hard tiles made of materials such as gres, marble, porcelain and so on. For diamond drills, a distinction is made depending on the drill whether to buy the whole drill or just the crown. It is recommended to drill wet into hard tiles. They reduce dustiness, reduce wear on the drill bit by cooling. There are simple kits that are affordable and will drill a hole even in hard tiles without problems. There are also various aids for drilling into tiles to prevent the drill bit from slipping off, such as non-slip stickers or suction holders. Only after the tiling has been drilled through can we opt for hammer drilling.
This article was written in collaboration with www.profiobkladac.sk.