How to drill through tiles in early 2000's apartment?

dannyrus

Hi folks,

I'm wanting to put up a hanging shelf similar to the one below in our bathroom.

The wall is tiled floor to ceiling, and where I need to mount the hook is quite high, close to the ceiling - roughly where the pink circle is below (I've also drawn green squares around a couple of tiles that feel somewhat loose):

I'm in an apartment building around 25 years old, not sure what material is behind the tiles. Is it safe to drill through this to mount a hook/screw to hang the shelf from? I'm guessing it'll probably be a couple kgs total once mounted and loaded with things.

Thanks a mill!

Danny.

MitchellMc

Hi @dannyrus,

In most apartments of that age, the tiles are likely fixed to either fibre cement sheeting or plasterboard over a timber or steel stud wall, though it's difficult to know for certain without further investigation.

It's also possible that the wall is formed concrete, which is quite common in apartment construction. If that's the case, a masonry anchor would typically be a suitable fixing method for supporting a lightweight shelf such as the one you've shown.

For a shelf carrying only a few kilograms, it would generally be possible to install a suitable fixing through the tile and into the wall behind. However, before drilling I'd be a little concerned about the tiles you've identified as feeling loose. Drilling through or near tiles that have lost adhesion can increase the risk of cracking or further movement.

You might like to first determine whether those loose tiles are isolated or whether there is a larger area affected. If there is significant movement, it may be worth addressing that issue before installing the shelf.

One other consideration is the age of the building. While a Sydney apartment built around 2000 is unlikely to contain asbestos in newly installed bathroom wall linings, it's difficult to know exactly what materials were used or whether any earlier materials were incorporated during construction or renovations. If you have any concerns about the wall composition, it would be prudent to seek professional advice before drilling.

You'll also want to consider what services may be concealed behind the wall. Bathrooms commonly contain plumbing and electrical cabling within wall cavities, particularly near vanities, mirrors, light fittings and shower areas. Before drilling, it's worth taking the time to determine whether there could be any pipes or wiring in the vicinity of your proposed fixing location.

Should you decide to proceed, appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when drilling. At a minimum, I'd recommend safety glasses, hearing protection and a P2 dust mask to protect against tile, masonry and construction dust generated during the drilling process.

Can you tell us whether the wall sounds solid when tapped, or does it sound hollow? Also, do you know whether this is an internal wall or a wall shared with another room? That information may help members determine what substrate is likely behind the tiles.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell