Putting a hole in a tile

[karandjon]

We have just had the plumbing done for our new bath to be installed. Hubby needs to put a couple of holes in the tile for the hot and cold taps to go through. Whats the easiest way of doing this? I know it doesnt need to be that neat a job as there are little silver discs that go over the hole, on the wall.

Thanks,

Karen

[ken2]

Todd my son says, cos he does tilling, turn the tile over and just cut through with a disc cutter, i hope he has one,? by turning it over you can just nip through to the size you need, if this is not possible then just drill with a small drill around to roughly the size you need, as you say you have nice discs to cover,if you use a disc cutter it will be a square hole but the tapes will go through,i'm sure i have told you right,i asked him on the phone,

[hillybilly]

The angle grinder approach is a bit OTT for a water pipe sized hole!
I would draw the outline of the hole required on the tile, then drill a series of holes using a small dia masonry bit all around this outline, then gently tap out the centre part. You can nibble off or file any rough bits if necessary. Protect the glazed surface before drilling with some masking tape or even sellotape.

[ken2]

Hillbilly if you read my post, i say you just nip throught to the size you need? sound neat to me,

[gerryh]

You can by special tungsten carbide tipped hollow cutters specially made for cutting holes in tiles.
Cost about 15 - 20 Euros each.

Cheers
Gerry

[Devils Advocate]

Have to agree with reversing the tile and using the angle grinder..............it is a doddle and so controllable to get the cut right, practice on an old tile first. It looks like a massive cut at first from the back but hardly touches the glaze..............it's the way you'd cut a tile out for a socket

What diameter is the hole by the way? If you decide to drill and if you have a drill of the size required then put masking tape over where you are going to drill for extra bite/grip..

DA

[karandjon]

Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies. hubbys gonna go with hillybillys suggestion as hubby says it sounds the easiest.

Thanks for the advice,

Karen

[patchdog]

hillbillies way is the DIYers way, the grinding method is used extensively on site by professionals

[McT]

hillbillies way is the DIYers way, the grinding method is used extensively on site by professionals

Just because the professionals do it a particular way does not mean it's the best way. More likely it's just the quickest way. Using an angle grinder on the back of the tile leaves a huge area of thin, weakened tile around the hole - just where you're going to tighten up the cups of the tap assembly. The Spanish method of using dabs of tile adhesive, instead of an even bed, and this method of cutting holes, is the reason that you frequently see broken tiles and gaping holes around taps.

Do it the right way, not the professional way!

McT

[Jool]

Put sticking plaster over where you will drill and then drill, ie the sticky part not the dressing.....

[patchdog]

Happy xmas everyone

surely thats not offensive to anyone

[spanish_lad]

hillbillies way is the DIYers way, the grinding method is used extensively on site by professionals

yes, because the grinder is "to hand" and the drill is away in a tool box and takes too long.

its lazyness and for speed, not "being professional".

i agree, for a neat job then hillybilly has the right approach for speed etc then the "builders" is quicker and easier.


the hole you need is around 30mm diameter.

[patchdog]

I did not give advice on drilling a hole in a tile just my observations on how it can be done.

[spanish_lad]

um, ok.