Avoiding drilling pipes behind bathroom tiles

[pulck]

I want to hang a toilet-roll holder in my newly built bathroom and I'll have to drill through tiles.

I'll be drilling about 6 inches from the side of the cistern and, on the other side, about 6 inches from the screen of a walk-in shower.

Can I assume that bit of the wall will be clear of pipes? Or do I need to invest in a stud detector? And what if pipes are plastic?

(Apologies for the newbie questions!)

 

[Wayners]

Contact the fitters and ask?

Or if loft above go look where pipes are running

 

[pulck]

Contact the fitters and ask?

Or if loft above go look where pipes are running

Yes, good idea, I'll try asking the plumber. Although it was over 6 months ago that it was fitted.

Unfortunately I can't look in the loft because the bathroom is in the loft conversion!

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Or invest in a tube of Gripfill or similar

 

[opps]

Won't they be cavity walls?

You would be extremely unlucky to drill through a pipe in a cavity wall.

To begin with, you need to drill through the tile. If ceramic tiles, a cheap arrow head drill bit will suffice, if porcelain, you will need a diamond drill bit.

Again, assuming that it is a cavity wall, you will only have about another 10mm (of plasterboard) or so after the tile to drill through. If you are feeling particularly cautious, keep pulling the drill bit back as you drill, as soon as it eventually pops through, push the screw in, if it doesn't hit anything, you are fine. The insert the plug and screw in the fitting.

(Edit........ I typed fulling rather then pulling)

 

[opps]

Or invest in a tube of Gripfill or similar

Gripfill to hold a loo roll holder in place? With respect (and I genuinely do mean respect- having read your previous posts), I really don't see that lasting very long, particular with a fitting that isn't specifically designed to be glued on. And how will the OP secure it whilst the adhesive cures?

 

[pulck]

Won't they be cavity walls?

You would be extremely unlucky to drill through a pipe in a cavity wall.

To begin with, you need to drill through the tile. If ceramic tiles, a cheap arrow head drill bit will suffice, if porcelain, you will need a diamond drill bit.

Again, assuming that it is a cavity wall, you will only have about another 10mm (of plasterboard) or so after the tile to drill through. If you are feeling particularly cautious, keep fulling the drill bit back as you drill, as soon as it eventually pops through, push the screw in, if it doesn't hit anything, you are fine. The insert the plug and screw in the fitting.

Thank you! I was hoping to hear some advice like this.

The wall is the exterior wall at the rear of the new loft dormer, so they must be cavity walls, right?

 

[pulck]

Gripfill to hold a loo roll holder in place? With respect (and I genuinely do mean respect- having read your previous posts), I really don't see that lasting very long, particular with a fitting that isn't specifically designed to be glued on. And how will the OP secure it whilst the adhesive cures?

Looking at the fitting, I think you're right. It's designed to be screwed on so there's isn't much surface that will be in contact with the tiles.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Gripfill to hold a loo roll holder in place? With respect (and I genuinely do mean respect- having read your previous posts), I really don't see that lasting very long, particular with a fitting that isn't specifically designed to be glued on. And how will the OP secure it whilst the adhesive cures?

All fair points- i'm not a big fan of miracle glues but they do have their uses. Possibly not in this case if the contact patch is tiny.....
Problem will be getting any sort of effective cavity fixing through a small (6mm?) hole in a tile. A studfinder (or one of those ridiculously powerful small magnets on a string) might be the way forward.
Think someone mentioned it above - there's the tile thickness plus board thickness (12.5mm) to go through so tile bit for the tile, masonry bit (not on hammer) for adhesive and backer board then push the screw (or a bit of wire) through and see what you hit at required screw length.