Installing new shower curtain rod. Drill into tile or grout?

scooper77515

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Sep 3, 2010
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Before I do some permanent damage, would it be better to drill into the actual tile, or into the grout, to sink the "molly"?

Did this once before in old house, but don't remember which I did. It was many years ago...

Still have the 1/4" glass and tile drill. Do I need to run it really slow?
 

PiratePast40

Lieutenant Commander
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Mar 21, 2009
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1,734
Re: Installing new shower curtain rod. Drill into tile or grout?

I've been told that you're not supposed to drill into the grout but instead, drill into the tile. I did that with my shower curtain rod and it's held up for 5 years without any problems.
 

Rocky_Road

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Oct 8, 2008
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1,798
Re: Installing new shower curtain rod. Drill into tile or grout?

Before I do some permanent damage, would it be better to drill into the actual tile, or into the grout, to sink the "molly"?

Did this once before in old house, but don't remember which I did. It was many years ago...

Still have the 1/4" glass and tile drill. Do I need to run it really slow?

Use your glass bit on the tile, and use a small nail set punch (or nail) to give you a starting point so your bit stays where you want it.

Slow is good...just dont let the bit get too hot.

Happy boating (and showering)!
 

scooper77515

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
747
Re: Installing new shower curtain rod. Drill into tile or grout?

OK, thanks a bunch.

It appears there is a stud behind the tile there, so I won't have to use a molly but just screw right into the stud.

I should be able to do chin-ups on this thing!
 

marcoalza

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
643
Re: Installing new shower curtain rod. Drill into tile or grout?

Definitely drill the tile.
Use a small dril bit first as a pilot hole an then the size you need for the plug.

It'l hold for years unless the tiles haven't been fixed properly:eek:
 

scooper77515

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
747
Re: Installing new shower curtain rod. Drill into tile or grout?

Finished. Worked better with an electric drill rather than my 18v battery powered one. killed 3 18v batteries in the attempt to drill 4 holes.

Then I used a longer screw to go through the tile and into a stud, so the pressure is not on the tile, but on supporting stud about 2" behind the tile.
 
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