The way people mount keypads on tile backsplashes...

I did three service calls last week where the keypad was sitting crooked because someone drilled into the grout line instead of the tile itself. The grout just crumbles after a few months and you end up with a loose panel hanging by the wires. Any tips for getting a clean mount on ceramic tile without cracking it?

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2 Comments

lane.angela5mo ago

I had a job last year where the homeowner insisted on surface mount boxes on subway tile and it drove me CRAZY. The trick I swear by is using a diamond tipped hole saw on the tile itself and drilling through the grout line as a last resort. You want to tape off the spot with painters tape first to stop the bit from wandering, then start at a shallow angle and gradually level out to avoid chipping the glaze. If you hit the grout line by accident you can fill the gap with a color matched epoxy grout instead of the regular stuff because it holds the screw much better. One thing I learned the hard way is to never try and anchor directly into the tile with a plastic anchor, you need to pre drill a pilot hole with a carbide bit and use a masonry screw instead. It takes a little extra time but beats coming back to fix a wobbly panel down the road.

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hollyramirez5mo ago

Respectfully disagree, I've had great luck with plastic anchors in tile when I use a diamond bit pilot hole first.

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