Drilling Holes In Walls

[isawasnake]

What is the wiring like here? Any advice on drilling into walls? I jolted myself a year ago and wanted to get a little more info.

Also, I own my condo and they are telling us we need to inform them anytime we do anything, which irks me. Should I even listen to them on this? I would like their input on where wiring is etc, but don't want to be told not to put things up in my condo.

I'll be hanging a couple flat screens and also some hardware on the tile above a sink. I have only a drill with a cord, and I have masonry bits. I have been thinking about picking up some diamond bits for the tile if recommended by you guys, and if I can find them. I have never used them, but read about them here.

Thanks for any advice.

[Crossy]

If you don't know where the wiring goes get a cable finder (I'm sure I've seen them in HomePro).

Are your condo insisting you tell them every time you drill a hole? That type of rule is usually intended for those doing fairly major renovations so other residents can be informed and to ensure everyone knows about working hours.

I drill tile with a regular (but new) masonry bit, start slowly with NO hammer, never cracked a tile (touch wood).

[trogers]

I would like their input on where wiring is etc

Draw a huge cross on every socket and switch. Avoid drilling along the verticals and horizontals. They do not lay wires diagonally to the electrical outlets.

[isawasnake]

If you don't know where the wiring goes get a cable finder (I'm sure I've seen them in HomePro).

Are your condo insisting you tell them every time you drill a hole? That type of rule is usually intended for those doing fairly major renovations so other residents can be informed and to ensure everyone knows about working hours.

I drill tile with a regular (but new) masonry bit, start slowly with NO hammer, never cracked a tile (touch wood).

They seem to be trying to "pry" every time we'd like to do any type of going into a wall, yes. Today I will see their position more, so I will have a better understanding. Haven't done much yet, just heard rumors.

If you see an outlet though, what will be the general wiring scheme? Inside the wall will the wire just run straight up to the ceiling?

Is there a "sweet spot" to try and drill into the tiles (have not done this), or can you just go through any spot you'd like?

Thanks for the reply.

Edited November 11, 2012 by isawasnake

[trogers]

Is there a "sweet spot" to try and drill into the tiles (have not done this), or can you just go through any spot you'd like?

I will choose the centre of a tile. I usually pin punch a small indentation before drilling on the wall or tile.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punch_%28tool%29

[isawasnake]

Thanks. I am still wondering if I should use my masonry bits, or go pick up some specialized tile bits like the diamond ones. I'm headed out soon, i'll probably give it a shot with my masonry bits first.

[isawasnake]

I didn't have as much problem as I thought I may with the condo management. In fact, they were quite helpful. I didn't do the kitchen tiles yet, I went out and bought a diamond drill bit today. The other holes went fine. I actually prefer hanging things on these walls as opposed to the us dry wall. Really solid.

[transam]

Is there a "sweet spot" to try and drill into the tiles (have not done this), or can you just go through any spot you'd like?

I will choose the centre of a tile. I usually pin punch a small indentation before drilling on the wall or tile.

http://en.wikipedia....ki/Punch_(tool)

Do NOT use a punch, it will crack a tile. Put masking tape where you want the hole and mark the spot with a X. Put small drill on the X at slow speed until it breaks through the hard finish. Replace the drill with correct size and go for it.

[rgs2001uk]

^^^^^, agree, usually referred to as drilling a pilot hole, I just use normal sellotape on tiles.

[cheeryble]

Punching's fine if you're gentle, but you may prefer, using a small straight edge, to scratch a small cross on the spot with a masonry nail or tile cutter or some such to give you a start on a shiny tile.

[lopburi3]

I have never seen diamond tips here but they do have carbide tips at Home Pro which work well in tile (but do not last long) so just use to get a hole started and then switch to normal masonry bit. If you can use joint or corner of a tile no starting bit needed - just use normal masonry bit without hammer until tile hole cut and then normal hammer can be used.

[isawasnake]

I have never seen diamond tips here but they do have carbide tips at Home Pro which work well in tile (but do not last long) so just use to get a hole started and then switch to normal masonry bit. If you can use joint or corner of a tile no starting bit needed - just use normal masonry bit without hammer until tile hole cut and then normal hammer can be used.

I guess I misspoke. I thought these were called diamond tips. Anyway, I picked one up at home pro. These are called spear point maybe. I'm sure it will work, I got this picture from your old post on this subject.

So, is drilling at a corner or a space between the tiles actually easier? I thought that may be a no no. I'll be giving this a shot this weekend probably.

[lopburi3]

They do make them with diamonds in the US but have not seen here - carbide here and get dull fast but for a few holes are fine. Have only broken (chipped and below fixture) one tile starting in joint area and have had to drill many holes as have five bathrooms and wife who likes to change mind. Find more of a chance of having problems in middle of tile as often there is no cement behind it so when move from tile to wall if not in a good line there could be a problem and if using that type of bit can catch behind tile - so best to take it at slow speed and careful.

[JAS21]

I have never seen diamond tips here but they do have carbide tips at Home Pro which work well in tile (but do not last long) so just use to get a hole started and then switch to normal masonry bit. If you can use joint or corner of a tile no starting bit needed - just use normal masonry bit without hammer until tile hole cut and then normal hammer can be used.

I guess I misspoke. I thought these were called diamond tips. Anyway, I picked one up at home pro. These are called spear point maybe. I'm sure it will work, I got this picture from your old post on this subject.

So, is drilling at a corner or a space between the tiles actually easier? I thought that may be a no no. I'll be giving this a shot this weekend probably.

If you can avoid drilling in the gap or at the corner do. You are likely to cause chips to break off. Do as suggested ... masking tape and a pilot hole, or at least use tape and make sure that the small drill at least goes through the glaze. Usually here the tile is bedded on a full bed, but you might be unlucky but anyway I don't recommend using a punch ever.

[isawasnake]

I went through the tiles yesterday. I am glad I bought the spear point bit (or whatever they are called) pictured above. I was having trouble getting through with anything other than that. The masking tape is just a golden tip, that really seems to help. I drilled probably a little too close to an outlet, and I do think I was hitting a metal plate, but I was just able to get the anchors in there and whatever was going on (the drill didn't want to go deeper, so I didn't push it), and it all turned out good.

The one thing i'll not is I was surprised at how easily this but got through the material. I bought a very small one, and just drilled out out the rest of what I needed with a "normal" bit. All in all, not as hard as I thought, but not sure how it would have went without the specialized drill bit and masking tape. Oh, the other thing was, the bit was going pretty fast. That can get expensive as I only drilled 4 holes and it was a 200 baht bit.

Anyway, just thought i'd update. Thanks again for the help. I'll post a picture later if I can. I'd actually be curious to hear if people think I was hitting a protective metal plate or not, i'm almost sure I was. They must span out pretty far from the outlet.

[mikebell]

Thanks. I am still wondering if I should use my masonry bits, or go pick up some specialized tile bits like the diamond ones. I'm headed out soon, i'll probably give it a shot with my masonry bits first.

I bought a special ceramic drill bit at HomePro. (less than 100 if I remember correctly.) Never had a problem.

[hhfarang]

Yes, those spear point bits pictured above are specially made for ceramic tiles. As for your other walls, if the place is cement block or brick, you probably need an impact drill which spins and taps at the same time. Besides electrical lines, you also need to watch out for imbeded water pipes unless you want your condo to get wet very fast.

[wayned]

I've drilled holes in tiles many times. Just slightly tap a punch or scratch the tile with it. Start with the drill in drill mode and then switch to hammer. If you think you hit something, STOP! Most likely it will be rebar and the masonary bit will not drill through it .

Edited November 19, 2012 by wayned

[isawasnake]

Yes, those spear point bits pictured above are specially made for ceramic tiles. As for your other walls, if the place is cement block or brick, you probably need an impact drill which spins and taps at the same time. Besides electrical lines, you also need to watch out for imbeded water pipes unless you want your condo to get wet very fast.

I went through some tile in the bathroom as well at this point, and i gave up on that spear point. I went down to a close hardware store and showed the guy what i was drilling though (in his shop) and he sold me a diamond tip (i think). It was a hollow circle at the end and was laced with a course cutting material. This was MUCH better at getting through it, I went through 2 of them but they were only 40 baht each. I'll get a picture when i can.