Hanging a Bathroom Mirror

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Maherees

Über Member
Location
Northampton
HI all,
I'd appreciate a little advice for those who have vastly more DIY experience that me.
I need to hang a bathroom mirror - the John Lewis one's look ok - but the area I need to hang it tiled. There are holes and Rawlplugs where the old mirror was, but the chances of getting exactly the same are pretty minuscule.
So, is it hard to drill through bathroom tiles and is there any "gotchas" to be aware of?
Or shall I just use mirror glue (waterproof) and hope a crash and 7 years' bad luck follows?
thanks
 

Buck

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
Has the new mirror got visible fixings or do you apply a bracket to the wall then hang the mirror to that?
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
You'd need a diamond tile drill bit if you can't drill through the grout (i.e. big tiles). Angle the bit so one edge bites into the tile surface, then straighten up. Be careful as they can still slip all over the place.
 

Buck

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
Tiles can be notoriously difficult to drill if they are anything other than ’standard’ porcelain.

Apply masking tape to the area you are going to drill and mark your drill position (check twice may thrice that it’s in the right place!)

use a diamond/tile drill bit. Some recommend you apply water to keep them cool so a spray bottle and an assistant can help here (old towel on floor to catch any mess too!)
 
Location
Essex
If you're going to drill through ceramic tiles, which is fine, get a decent cylindrical tile bit and take it slowly - don't be tempted by the cheap spade bits - they do more harm than good :okay:.
 

newts

Veteran
Location
Isca Dumnoniorum
If the tiles have a very shiny glazed surface, they'll most likely be ceramic (softer clay biscuit backing), these can be drilled with a sharp masonry bit (don't use hammer action on your drill!).
Porcelain are often a flatter surface finish, they are the same hard material all the way through. The only reliable way to drill these is with a diamond drill/holesaw. Lots of tungsten tipped tile drills claim to drill porcelain, you may get 1/2 holes before they burn out if you're lucky.
Try first with a masonry bit to see if it'll drill before buying a specialist bit.
These are great plugs, 6 or 8mm depending on screw size. They'll work on both plasterboard & brick/block backgrounds
https://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-duopower-wall-plugs-6-x-30mm-100-pack/1030p
 

newts

Veteran
Location
Isca Dumnoniorum
You say that, and I always thought the same, but I recently had a much better time with the pointy spade style than the cylindrical diamond coated bit...!
The pointy spade type are easier to get the hole going without the drill bit dancing across the tile in interesting scratchy patterns.
 

figbat

Slippery scientist
I just use regular masonry bits and always get a lovely clean hole, never had a crack or chip. Use a bit of masking tape, no hammer action, start really slowly and the glaze soon yields. I also hate seeing stuff drilled into grout lines (although with a mirror you‘re unlikely to see the mounting holes or locations).
 

Profpointy

Legendary Member
I've used the pointy spade type a few times wirh no problem. I think I used oil as well, which risks staining the grout so needs care. Don't rush. Handy hint - make sure hammer action is turned off !
 
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