Cutting Ceramic Tile Around Floor Drain
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Cutting ceramic tile around floor drain. I measure the diameter of the drain and find a piece of pvc pipe that a little larger in diameter. Cut it out with the scissors. Ceramic tile hole saw from about 10 for individual bits to about 50 for kits. The easiest and neatest method is to buy a 1 1 4 in.
Create a pencil line where you want to make the cut then use the grinder to lightly score the line. This video is about how to cut a perfect 4 and1 4 inch hole for a drain in a ceramic tile without a drill just with an angle grinder. It has carbide grit embedded in the rim that allows it to cut into vitreous tile. Plunge cuts are necessary when making space for vents outlets drains or any other protrusions through the tile surface.
As an alternative use a grinder with a diamond tile cutter wheel to cut the tile. Lay the paper circle on the piece of cardboard. Size will work for most applications but measure your valves to make sure. 2 cut one or more sheets of paper that match the size of your tiles.
When i do tile around a round floor drain i like a clean neat finish on the cut tile edges. I would have floated the floor around the drain so it was level or a little slope to the drain. If you need to cut 1 tile to go around the flange cut 1 sheet of paper. I cut a slice off the pvc about 3 8 to 1 2 depending on how thick the tile and mortar will be.
If you re using larger tiles e g 12 by 12 in 30 by 30 cm or larger you may be able to cut a circle out of a single tile to go around the flange. There really is no need for such a slope into the drain with rest of the floor being flat so water will flow into it either way. Cut circular drain tiles with an angle grinder. Mark around the shape of the drain with your pencil expanding.
Place the tile over the edge of the board and lightly tap with a hammer. Then pass back and forth over the score mark until the tile is cut. Set a piece of transparent paper over the drain. Use a small bodied tile such as mosaics or at the most 4 inch by 4 inch tiles when installing on a shower or other floor.
If you absolutely have to work with large bodied tiles you will need to split them along the length of the slope so. The removed section allows the tile to sit flush around the front of the toilet and offers a neat way to tile around difficult curved areas. If you are new to using these tools practice on some spare tiles before beginning your project. If you need 4 tiles cut 4 sheets of paper.
Then i would have cut the tile in an x pattern so the big tile can slope into the drain and look like it belongs there.