Use A Diamond-tip Drill Bit For Porcelain Tile

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Like most DIY projects, this one starts with a trip to the home improvement store. In the tile tools section, you should find a “diamond-tipped hole saw” or “diamond drill bit” that comes with a plastic wet containment piece.

Absolutely do not get a standard bit from the hardware section, even if it says it will drill through brick or other materials. Normal drill bits slide all around and fail to penetrate tile, which could damage your shower tile. Diamond-tip drill bits are more expensive, but they do exactly what you need.

The diamond-coated end of the tile bit or hole saw is specifically made to drill through tile and porcelain. Really, when you’re drilling through porcelain or tile, the bit isn’t actually drilling at all. It’s grinding. The diamonds create friction and rub through the tile.

The water containment piece cools the bit and serves as a guide to keep the bit from sliding around when you start drilling. Water is essential, and without it, the bit will wear down in seconds. A spinning diamond bit generates a lot of heat, so even keeping a damp sponge around will help. If it heats ...
... up, you'll see steam and you’ll want to pour water on the wall so it trickles onto the bit.