These days, homeowners are increasingly using granite throughout their homes, often as flooring and countertops. There may be times, however, when you will need to drill through the stone (for installing electrical wiring or plumbing). In order to do this without damaging the integrity of the granite, you should follow the below instructions.
You will need to ensure that you have fitted your drill with a core drill bit. Do not attempt to drill through granite using a masonry bit, as it will not be strong enough to get through the stone.
Then, you will need to place a white bottle cap (like those found on medicine bottles) over the area of the granite that you wish to drill through, making sure that the opening faces upwards. Use a plumber’s putty around the base of the cap to ensure that it stays in place.
Take any kind of oil that you have on hand and pour it into the cap then position the drill with the bit inside both the cap and the oil. Begin to drill into the granite, letting the bit spin for around 10 seconds. Turn the drill off and let it cool down for a further 10 seconds.
Continue this process of drilling through the granite for 10 seconds and leaving the drill to cool down for 10 seconds until you have completely drilled through the stone. Immediately after this, you will need to place a rag underneath the hole you have made to catch any excess oil and granite chips.
To prevent the oil from soaking into the granite, you should wash it straight after you have finished drilling. Spray the stone with brake cleaner and blow on it with an air compressor, then wash the granite with a kitchen detergent and a bristled brush.