How to Drill Holes in a Tile Backsplash

Adding accessories to a tiled backsplash can be intimidating when the accessory requires screws to secure it to the wall. The difficulty drilling a hole through a tile backsplash comes from the high amount of friction created between the gritty texture of the tile and the drill bit. This increased friction causes heat at the point of drilling. When the heat builds up, the tip of the drill bit will begin to dull and eventually cause the bit to glow orange and fail. Reducing friction will reduce the stress caused when drilling holes through your tile backsplash.

Things You Will Need

• Masking tape
• Marker
• Diamond-tipped drill bit
• Variable-speed drill
• Small plastic bowl
• Cutting fluid
• Rag

1. Cover the portion of the tile requiring the hole with a masking tape X. Make sure the overlapping section of the X is sitting over the point requiring the hole.
2. Mark the hole center on the overlapped section of the tape with a marker.
3. Secure the required sized diamond-tipped drill bit in the chuck of a variable-speed drill. Fill a small plastic bowl with 1/4-inch of cutting fluid. Dip the tip of the drill bit in the fluid. Wipe the excess fluid from the drill bit with a rag.
4. Place the drill bit on the hole center marked on the masking tape. Pull the trigger of the drill slowly until the drill bit turns roughly two revolutions-per-second. Do not apply pressure to the back of the drill. This could cause the bit to wander and damage the tile.
5. Stop drilling after three to four seconds. Dip the drill bit in the cutting fluid. Leave the bit in the fluid for three to four seconds or until cool to the touch. Wipe excess fluid from the bit. Alternate drilling and cooling the drill bit until the hole is drilled through the tile.

Warning:
Protect your eyes when drilling backsplash tile.

Source: HomeGuides.sfgate.com