How to Carefully Break Ceramic Tile

Using a Hammer

• 1

  Insert a ceramic tile into a seal-able plastic bag. Seal the end of the bag shut.

• 2

  Set the tile and plastic bag down on a hard, flat surface such as a driveway or sidewalk.

• 3

  Put on a pair of safety glasses and work gloves.

• 4

  Strike the center of the tile gently with a hammer. Don't hit the tile too hard or you will cause it to shatter rather than split apart. Continue tapping the sections of tile until you have about four smaller pieces.

• 5

  Remove the pieces from the bag and insert another piece of tile into the plastic bag. Continue tapping and breaking the tile until you have enough pieces for your tile design.

Using Tile Nippers

• 6

  Put on work gloves and safety glasses.

• 7

  Grasp the tile nippers in one hand. Pull the handles apart slightly to open the jaws of the nippers.

• 8

  Place the edge of the tile into the jaws of the tile nippers. Adjust the tile so the nipper cuts exactly where you want it to.

• 9

  Continue holding the outside edges of the tile with one hand. Squeeze the handle of the tile nippers together with your other hand until the tile breaks. Make sure to catch the pieces of tile after they break off from the main piece of tile. Keep breaking the tile pieces with the nippers until you have enough pieces for your design.