Drilled through a tile, any ideas?

[Toblerone]

I’m an apprentice and dropped a real clanger. Had spent hours chasing our rock solid walls and moved over to a thin plastered stud wall on the other side of the room. Was drilling a hole through the wall and applied too much pressure and broke out the other side, ruining a shower bathroom tile in the process.

Rookie error I know, but does anyone have any idea the best way to sort it out? Either by replacing the tile or any other method. Not sure if we can source an original colour tile at present.

 

[Pete999]

I’m an apprentice and dropped a real clanger. Had spent hours chasing our rock solid walls and moved over to a thin plastered stud wall on the other side of the room. Was drilling a hole through the wall and applied too much pressure and broke out the other side, ruining a shower bathroom tile in the process.

Rookie error I know, but does anyone have any idea the best way to sort it out? Either by replacing the tile or any other method. Not sure if we can source an original colour tile at present.

picture of the damage would help Mate.

 

[Midwest]

Tell your boss. Honesty is the best policy.

 

[Pete999]

Tell your boss. Honesty is the best policy.

Yeo agree don't hope it will go away, it won't own up as above.

 

[Toblerone]

Tell your boss. Honesty is the best policy.

I told my boss as soon as it happened yesterday and sent him a picture, I am just posting here to see if anyone has experienced similar.

 

[Intoelectrics]

No way round it mate, other than replacement. It maybe that you can patch it up temporary using silicon to keep it functional until a replacement can be found.
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The house owner may have the odd spare tile knocking around. Usually when tiling jobs are installed the tiler will make sure there is slight surplus in the event of damage/mistakes etc.. In which case you could carefully breakout the damaged tile and replace it quite easily.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - regarding replacing the tile - unless you’re experienced with this work I wouldn’t recommend you try to fix it yourself as you might damage the surrounding tiles etc. Sometimes they will have used rubbish glue and the old tile will come off relatively easily, but don’t try that just yet .

 

[Pete999]

I told my boss as soon as it happened yesterday and sent him a picture, I am just posting here to see if anyone has experienced similar.

Yes when I were a Lad I was drilling through from one Flat, in the roof space forgetting that the adjoining Flats were 5 feet higher, drilled through into AMrs next door freshly wallpapered bedroom, She wasn't a happy bunny, good jo I am a dab hand at plaster repairs and wall papering.
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I told my boss as soon as it happened yesterday and sent him a picture, I am just posting here to see if anyone has experienced similar.

Oh dear big expensive tiles as well

 

[James]

Hi - regarding replacing the tile - unless you’re experienced with this work I wouldn’t recommend you try to fix it yourself as you might damage the surrounding tiles etc. Sometimes they will have used rubbish glue and the old tile will come off relatively easily, but don’t try that just yet .

Agreed, it could be easy to mess up the tiled wall by trying to repair it.

@Dan
There is also a tilers forum, might be worth asking advice on there, might even be someone who Can come and fix it for you.

 

[Vortigern]

There is a good chance there are some spare tiles around the house, no?

 

[westward10]

I agree with @Vortigern have a look in the loft or garage for leftovers from the job. There are companies which do tile repairs but it won't be cheap.

Wall Tile Repairs For Bathroom and Kitchen - Plastic Surgeon

Our finishers are able to repair cracks, chips or holes to ceramic tiles before colour-matching the finish. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.

www.plastic-surgeon.co.uk

 

[StephenRowley]

Accidents happen its how you deal with them that matters


If you can get the replacement tile. It's a simple enough to repair, plenty of vids on good old YouTube but probably bets to employ a tiler to do it tbh.

If you can't find the tile and it get really expensive then that why liability insurance is for.

 

[FatAlan]

Have a chat with the owner over options. Spare tile etc. They might even go for a soap dish at that location!

 

[telectrix]

surely your boss would bear the cost of replacing the tile professionally. the cost would not be worthwhile claiming on his PLI. ( and before anyone pipes up, i know his name isn't Shirley).

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Have a look under the bath... Seems a common place to store spare tiles...
When I removed a old electric shower a new one with different sizes. The lady had a company in who use resin and colour match the tile. Afterwards you couldn't even see the old pipe holes and screw holes.. Quite clever.
They do same technique with kitchen worktops, ceramic basins... Sinks etc..
It's a specialism...

 

[Vortigern]

Removing tiles from plasterboard is nigh impossible without damaging the plasterboard. It may be that a plate will need fixing behind the plasterboard then plasterboard on the plate then tiling.

 

[Strima]

I keep my spare tiles under the bath and kitchen units.
It’s a pain but does happen, a good tiler would be able to make this right with little effort.

 

[ruston]

@Dan , the forum owner is a tiler. PM him , he might be able to fix that for you.
I think he is from London too.

 

[pirate]

Had a similar problem in my shower...my brother in law was "helping" me install the enclosure and it came with a template for drilling the fixing holes. Unfortunately, he chose the wrong hole of 2, and i was left with 2 holes in the shower enclosure area. I used 2 chrome-plated towel hooks, fixed into the rogue holes, and hung facecloths on them.
plenty options here:

chrome hooks - Google Search

:

Otherwise, FatAlan, I'm with you...a soap dish or something like that...an accesssory, so to speak.

 

[DPG]

Make it into a spy-hole.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Trying to get that busted tile off the wall will be a right old fig...
in my experience pulling tiles off a plasterboard always ends up pulling half the board with it...
good luck

 

[Midwest]

If he’s got a spare tile, smash it with a hammer and pick the bits off. New piece of plasterboard, jobs a gooden.

Alternatively, give the job to a tiler, have a professional job done, absorb the cost, and make the customer happy.

 

[Toblerone]

Appreciate all the responses gents. I was back there today and spoke to the customer, it's a 12th floor flat in London so no garage or much spare space at all where any spares may have been lurking. The bath is tiled completely so haven't been able to check under there just yet.

Soap dish idea seems a good one, or some other accessory so will float that idea next week. I know really my boss should be absorbing the cost but I am just doing what I can to remedy the situation without it costing him. If I can find a tile the same colour he said he'll give it a go himself so we'll see.

I'll report back with the outcome, but for now it's Friday. Have a good weekend chaps.

 

[ruston]

Appreciate all the responses gents. I was back there today and spoke to the customer, it's a 12th floor flat in London so no garage or much spare space at all where any spares may have been lurking. The bath is tiled completely so haven't been able to check under there just yet.

Soap dish idea seems a good one, or some other accessory so will float that idea next week. I know really my boss should be absorbing the cost but I am just doing what I can to remedy the situation without it costing him. If I can find a tile the same colour he said he'll give it a go himself so we'll see.

I'll report back with the outcome, but for now it's Friday. Have a good weekend chaps.

Good luck mate . It is nice to see a person with principles. I hope it works out for you.

 

[OnlQQker]

Not sure exactly where in the bathroom?

Anyway View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/suction-bathroom-accessories/s?k=suction+bathroom+accessories

 

[DPG]

Appreciate all the responses gents. I was back there today and spoke to the customer, it's a 12th floor flat in London so no garage or much spare space at all where any spares may have been lurking. The bath is tiled completely so haven't been able to check under there just yet.

Soap dish idea seems a good one, or some other accessory so will float that idea next week. I know really my boss should be absorbing the cost but I am just doing what I can to remedy the situation without it costing him. If I can find a tile the same colour he said he'll give it a go himself so we'll see.

I'll report back with the outcome, but for now it's Friday. Have a good weekend chaps.

Did you not suggest the spy hole idea then?

 

[Toblerone]

Did you not suggest the spy hole idea then?

Sadly not, as the hole will be in the back of a socket on one side. Now I know we all love sockets, but not enough to stare at the back of them when taking a bath...or maybe some of you do?

 

[radiohead]

Good luck fella, hope you get it sorted without too much grief.

 

[BruceBanner]

Good luck, as previously said, nice to see some morals, honesty & backbone.