Tile scares people, but drilling it is straightforward with the right bit. The mounting behind the tile is what matters: you still need studs or a rated hollow-wall anchor.
What you need
- A carbide-tipped masonry bit for ceramic, or a diamond core bit for porcelain or natural stone.
- Painter's tape, a stud finder, a drill with variable speed, a spray bottle of water.
Steps
- Locate studs with a stud finder set to deep scan, or by tapping and measuring from a known stud in the adjacent room.
- Mark the holes on painter's tape stuck to the tile. The tape stops the bit from wandering.
- Start slow. Drill at low speed with light pressure until the bit bites through the glaze, then increase speed slightly. Mist with water to keep the bit cool.
- Drill through the tile only, then switch to a regular wood bit for the pilot hole into the stud or the specified bit for your anchor.
- Seal. Run a bead of silicone around each screw hole before mounting so water can't get behind the tile.
- Mount and test with your full weight.
Avoid grout lines and tile edges
Drilling near an edge is what cracks tile. Keep holes at least 1 inch from any edge; move the bar slightly if a flange hole lands on a grout line.
If there's no stud where you need one
Use a hollow-wall anchor rated for grab bars, like the Mount Daddy fasteners included with LiveWell decorative grab bars. Tile over cement board holds these anchors well.
Questions about your bathroom? Call LiveWell at (440) 499-7221 or email info@livewellhs.com. We ship grab bars from Ohio to homes, contractors, and senior living communities nationwide.