atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring drilling though tile?

I would tend to follow WRichey's suggestion.

How many cables need to pass through? You may be best to knock out one tile and replace with something more suitable. For what it's worth, I have had to go through tile several times, and I have found a masonary bit on a regular (read non-hammer) drill was the best bet.

Can you install on the tile wall? Its easy enough to use a small masonary bit on the grout and hang equipment with anchors.. of course, it depends on what else is on that wall.

What I want to know is how you take these jobs when you have no idea how to do them.

-Hal

Well, I'll throw a suggestion in here even though I'd probably avoid this installation myself. Why not just gently chip out the grout around one single tile, then pry the tile out from the wall? After that's done, you can cut a smaller hole in the backer board or gypsum board behind it, cut in a low-voltage mounting ring and place a one- or two-gang face plate with a single hole in it to dress it up.

HERE is a link to the type of plate I'm talking about. In a commercial kitchen application, the health department will probably require that the opening be sealed with 100% silicone caulk once the cables are run through it.

Of course, you should save the tile(s) removed and keep them somewhere nearby in an envelope or something for use in the future if the hole needs to be covered back up or if they need one elsewhere.

As far as regular holes, say about 1/4", all you have to do is use a punch and lightly tap the center of the hole enough to chip the tile's glaze finish. After that, a brand-new 1/4" masonry bit will do the job. Just don't press too hard or go too fast, like everyone else has already mentioned. Don't count on using standard plywood though; wood is generally not permitted in these areas. You'll probably need to get a piece of poly plastic for your backboard.

Is the backboard going to just sit out in the open? That's not a good idea anywhere, but especially not in a restaurant. I would mount a suitable metal pull box (my favorite size is 24" by 24" by 6") on the wall, and run the conduit(s) up the wall into the ceiling, Alternatively, remove a tile or two, make a 2" knock out in the rear of the pullbox with your Greenlee punch and run the wires through a sleeve in the wall.

Look in the Yellow Pages for "Licensed Electrician" or "Telecommunications Contractor" and you'll probably find someone who will know how to do it for you.

I talked with my supervisor and what we are going to do is just take the tiles out that needs to be drilled. Easy enough. Hbiss, this is the ONLY resteraunt in a chain of resteraunts that has tiles in the kitchen. IF the office was large enough then the backboard would be mounted in it and I would have never posted this question about tiles here.

eve607797,

This wall it outside of the kitchen area but faces the opening. Not in view of the dinning area at all.

So going to chip out the grout and if it does not pop off then will crack it with the hammer and remove it. Done job.

If the tile is glazed (surface finish), nick the shiny surface with a screwdriver, chisel, or something gently. Once the glaze is broken you can access the softer "body" of the tile, usually plaster/clay or such.

Drill GENTLY, dribbling water onto the surface of the tile. The dribble will keep particles floated away from your work area, and also prevent flying chips and raised dust.

Once you get through the tile, run your cable.

I've run cable, I've installed tile.....not a big deal either way.

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Here is a type of bit that I have used in the past that worked great for drilling into tile.