Drill into tiles without cracking and install shower shelf Inspire DIY Kent Thomas

How to drill into tiles to install a shower shelf (and hide the last shelve's holes)
In this 5 min video I’ll give you tips on both how to drill into tiles without cracking them, and installing a replacement shower shelf.
I was all soaped up, minding my own business when and a wayward elbow broke the last showers shelf beyond repair. I’ve found a replacement shelf (with brackets that can be moved to suit) Great! This way we can cover the existing holes in the tiles. Let's get in installed.
Glass Shower Shelf, When clicked these links will take you directly to Amazon or an eBay site, InspireDIY is an Amazon associate/eBay Affiliate. Using these links does not impact the price in anyway for you, but InspireDIY may be able to earn from recommendations.
Glass shower Shelves;
(US) amzn.to/2XDgKVm or ebay.us/YJOJaD
(UK) amzn.to/3gcqkES
(AU) amzn.to/3yXyfxx or ebay.us/B4ksNa
Tip 1, Measure the distance between brackets of the new shelf (if not adjustable), and transfer these measurements to the tiled wall. I choose a Stanley 8mtr Tylon Tape Measure amzn.to/3mkF9t7
Tip 2, Use painters tape, this helps keep the drill steady at the start of drilling, and can reduce the risk of the tile surface fracturing
Painters tape
(US) amzn.to/2XOhk2D (UK) amzn.to/2XOhk2D (AU) ScotchBlue Painter's Tape amzn.to/3mmBx9W B00004Z4BB
Using a masonry drill bit, the same type that you use for concrete, brick, clay or terracotta and some stone, we just use a moderate pressure, just enough to be making progress in your cut.
Tip 3, MOST IMPORTANT always without a hammer or impact action on your drill I used a Milwaukee M18BPD-0 Cordless Hammer Drill amzn.to/3yV54Ln loaded with a masonry drill bit (with a carbide tip)amzn.to/3z9XyMR, these are suitable for most tiles including ceramic, If drilling into porcelain tiles you may need to invest in a diamond tip drill bit (purposefuly designed for these really hard tiles) amzn.to/3sC1KCF
Tip 4, Tap in the nylon wall plugs carefully not to strike the tile with the hammer!
Tip 5, You can trim off any protruding wall anchor with a blade (see 2:54)
Tip 6, Add a blob of silicone amzn.to/3ml7EHb to the mounting bracket before screwing it on and this holds it really well. A favourite 'drip free' Caulking Gun amzn.to/2WWOtsH
Test the new shelf with a cold can of your favourite and enjoy sudsing up again - whilst marvelling at your good work.
Click here to subscribe (it's free) and you won't miss any of my DIY tutorials on KZbin
/ @inspirediy
0:00 preparing to drill tiles
0:50 replacement shelf to cover holes
1:15 mark the tiles for drilling
2:24 drilling into ceramic tiles
2:54 fit wall plugs or anchors in tiles
4:03 use silicone for more secure brackets
The boring stuff, these videos are intended to provide information and inspiration only. If you choose to imitate, duplicate or copy anything you may have observed in these videos, you do so at your own risk. Kent Thomas & Inspire DIY do not take any responsibility for any action taken as a result of the information or advice on this KZbin channel (or other platforms) and shall not have any liability in respect of any injury or damage that may result.
Kent Thomas/Inspire DIY disclaims any control over, relationship with, or endorsement of views expressed by any third party, including but not limited to, sponsored partners, featured guests in any episodes, or other KZbin (or other social platform) users. Any unsponsored links to other websites are provided only as a convenience, and not an endorsement of those pages by Kent Thomas/Inspire DIY. Kent Thomas/Inspire DIY encourages you to read the privacy statements of any third-party websites.
Kent Thomas/Inspire DIY does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information available on this KZbin page or any other social media platforms. Nothing contained in or provided though this KZbin page, website or social media platforms is intended to constitute advice or to serve as a substitute for the advice of a building or construction professional, or local government, council laws and building codes. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.

[@TheJLMDT]

You make it look so easy! Great video, very well described

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Jon, sorry for the later reply, and thank you for the comment. how did you get on with your shelf install? Cheers, Kent

[@RaviWala-qf2id]

Great video man, simple very educational

[@foggymtnbreakdown]

An excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to post it!

[@InspireDIY]

thanks Foggy, that's a lovely comment mate. Kent

[@leesteal4458]

Excellent vid.

[@InspireDIY]

Thanks so much Lee, you are very kind👍Kent

[@jacquelinegrandemange9031]

Thank you

[@olivechopper]

You are most welcome Jaqueline👍 Kent

[@chichiReynolds]

great thx

[@InspireDIY]

You're welcome Chichi

[@yannickmarcoux919]

Is there a risk of infiltration if you drill holes in your shower? My shelf doesn't have a bracket that cover the holes, is the risk higher? Or else, is there still a risk of infiltration even with the bracket? I hope I'm clear as my first language is french. Thank you very much for your video and your help!

[@InspireDIY]

Bonjour Yannickmarcoux, I understand your question perfectly. yes there is a risk of water infiltration, The waterproofing membrane (in my state) should be 1800mm from the floor so drilling through it will allow water ingress - so everything such as shelf brackets should be sealed with a silicone. admittedly, I should have put a larger amount on to ensure I covered 'all' the holes. bonne chance with your project. Kent