Hanging a mirror on a tile wall requires more planning that simply hanging one on sheetrock. For one thing, stud sensors that work on a sheetrock wall will rarely work well, if at all, on a wall covered with tile, so finding a stud on a wall tiled from top to bottom will be difficult. Studs are also rarely where they need to be to hang a mirror where you want. Using specially designed anchor systems enables you to install an anchor that will hold a standard screw and allow you to hang your mirror, no studies required.
Instructions
1. Search for the center point where you want the mirror installed on the wall. This point should be where the center of the mirror will line up and also where the top of the mirror will be. Put blue painter's tape on the wall and mark the center point with an X. Try several places to get a feel for where best to place it. Mirrors usually are centered over sinks, couches, mantels and other furniture pieces. Mirrors not over furniture can be placed anywhere on the wall.
2. Count the number of fasteners needed to support the mirror by comparing the weight of the mirror to the maximum weight that each fastener will hold. If the mirror is more than twice the weight that a single fastener can hold, find a stronger fastener system since only the two outer fasteners will bear any weight.
3. Turn the mirror over and mark the center of the mirror with a pencil. For mirrors requiring only one fastener, place your finger below the hanger wire and slide it up along the center of the mirror until the wire is taut. Using your other hand and a pencil, mark that spot. For two fasteners, place one finger on either side of the center line and the same distance from the center line. Slide them up at the same pace until the hanger wire goes taut. Mark one spot and use the measurements of that spot from the top and near side to make a mark on the other side of the mirror.
4. Measure from the top of the mirror to the taut marks, using a tape measure. This is the vertical distance below the center mark on the wall that the fasteners will need to be placed. For mirrors with two fasteners, measure from the center line to the marks. This horizontal distance should be equal and it will determine where to put the fasteners in relation to the center mark.
5. Mark the anchor holes on the tile wall. Measure down from the center mark the vertical distance and make an X. Use a level to plumb, or make level vertically, the line down from the center mark. For one fastener mirrors, start to drill the anchor hole on this mark. For two-fasteners mirrors, use painter's tape and a level to create a line level with the X. Measure out the horizontal distance along both sides of this line from the X and place Xs to mark the drill holes.
6. Make a slight indention in the middle of each X that will be getting an anchor hole, using a scratch awl or the tip of a nail. Firmly tap the head of the awl or nail with a hammer to make the indentation. This will help keep the head of the masonry bit from wobbling around.
7. Drill the anchor holes. Use a masonry bit and a hammer drill for maximum effectiveness.
8. Press an anchor into each anchor hole. Use a hammer to tap it all the way in until the anchor is flush with the surface of the tile wall.
9. Insert a screw into each anchor, using a screwdriver. Most screws in these kits are Phillips-head, but some still take a flat head. Leave 1/8 inch of the shaft of the screw protruding from the wall. Using a hand screwdriver will help prevent stripping out the anchor, which is typically made of plastic. High-torque electric drills could easily strip out the anchor, rendering it useless.
10. Place the mirror against the wall with the top up and located several inches above the original center mark. Slowly slide it down until until the hanger wire catches on the screws. Adjust the levelness of the picture by pushing the bottom corners up or down.