Cutting polished porcelain wall tile on shower wall
Discussion
My shower concealed thermostat needs replacing. When it was installed the tilers just cut a smallish hole in the tile sufficient to allow the on/off and temperature controls to pass through and the chrome fascia plate went over all that to finish it off.
Anyway, if possible I’d prefer to change the thermostat without having to smash the tile off and try and match it up so I am hoping I can enlarge the hole sufficient to allow the plumber to do his thing, Take the old one out and replace it.
Anyone suggest a good tool for cutting the hole? I am thinking maybe a multi tool with a diamond grit semi circular blade might work but would probably take ages.
Anything better/quicker I can use?
TIA.
Anyway, if possible I’d prefer to change the thermostat without having to smash the tile off and try and match it up so I am hoping I can enlarge the hole sufficient to allow the plumber to do his thing, Take the old one out and replace it.
Anyone suggest a good tool for cutting the hole? I am thinking maybe a multi tool with a diamond grit semi circular blade might work but would probably take ages.
Anything better/quicker I can use?
TIA.
How weird they never just cut a full square hole to get the access.
Im cutting a lot of tile at the moment for my bathroom, you will get through it cleanly with an angle grinder and blade BUT you'll need to keep it wet to avoid the dust going absolutely everywhere or use a shroud with hoover on. Check out mini blades as an option rather than a full blade.
Dremel is another option with a diamond blade but again will incur loads of dust/mess.
Im cutting a lot of tile at the moment for my bathroom, you will get through it cleanly with an angle grinder and blade BUT you'll need to keep it wet to avoid the dust going absolutely everywhere or use a shroud with hoover on. Check out mini blades as an option rather than a full blade.
Dremel is another option with a diamond blade but again will incur loads of dust/mess.
JoshSm said:
How big a hole and what shape? Proper porcelain is never going to be quick to cut but is it a job for a large hole cutter or does it need straight edges?
No other options for access? Tile not set up to be removable? Can you go in through the other side if the wall?
Cheers, the hole needs to be about 100mm by 150 or thereabouts to expose the couplings. Doesn’t particularly need straight edges as the new fascia plate will cover it assuming it doesn’t chip or crack of course.No other options for access? Tile not set up to be removable? Can you go in through the other side if the wall?
Sadly the tile is not set up to be removable, I thought about going in from the other side but the way the shower is built means the back is against two walls in a corner and I don’t want to break through two walls.
fourstardan said:
How weird they never just cut a full square hole to get the access.
Im cutting a lot of tile at the moment for my bathroom, you will get through it cleanly with an angle grinder and blade BUT you'll need to keep it wet to avoid the dust going absolutely everywhere or use a shroud with hoover on. Check out mini blades as an option rather than a full blade.
Dremel is another option with a diamond blade but again will incur loads of dust/mess.
Great thank you. I’ll look at the mini blades. Im cutting a lot of tile at the moment for my bathroom, you will get through it cleanly with an angle grinder and blade BUT you'll need to keep it wet to avoid the dust going absolutely everywhere or use a shroud with hoover on. Check out mini blades as an option rather than a full blade.
Dremel is another option with a diamond blade but again will incur loads of dust/mess.
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