Brands We Work With
Steel Bath Drilling Services
Bath Drilling Direct Ltd offers steel enamel bath drilling across the UK for tap holes, bath mixers, fillers, showers, controls and other bath-mounted fittings. We drill precision tap holes for premium steel bath brands such as BETTE, KALDEWEI and many others.
Services Summary
A professional drilling service for steel and steel enamel baths where holes are required for taps, mixers, bath fillers, controls and any other fitting.
Specialist Enamel Cutting
Our drilling process is designed to protect the enamel, using specialist drilling equipment and providing permanent corrosion protection.
View drilling process →Multiple Hole Options
Multiple holes can be drilled in the same bath at no extra cost, with our standard service charged per bath rather than per hole.
See example photos →UK-Wide Service
We come directly to your warehouse, showroom or residential property, offering a fully custom service.
View pricing & area coverage →Steel Bath Tap Holes
Bath Drilling Direct offers any hole configuration for any bath-mounted fitting to provide a fully customised service at no extra cost.
We charge the same whether you require one hole or multiple holes.View pricing & area coverage →
Steel Bath Drilling Process
Bath Drilling Direct uses a 6-stage drilling process to ensure tap holes are sized & positioned accurately, the enamel protected and a specialised coating applied for permanent corrosion protection.
Step 1 — Measurements
The Client fittings are measured whilst the hole positions are marked on the bath and checked with the Client prior to drilling.
Step 2 — Pilot Hole Drilling
A pilot hole establishes the hole centre and provides the starting point for the larger finished opening.
Step 3 — Enamel Cutting
The enamel layer is cut as a dedicated stage before the steel beneath is drilled to the required opening size.
Step 4 — Steel Drilling
The steel is drilled to create the required opening for the Client fittings whilst providing sensible tolerances for installation.
Step 5 — Coating
The completed opening is deburred, cleaned and coated with specialised enamel coating for post-drilling treatment.
Step 6 — Protection
The finished opening is protected from unwanted contact during the curing process whilst the entire bath is cleaned and left protected against damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about steel bath tap holes and our drilling service.
Can tap holes be drilled into a steel bath without damaging the enamel?
Yes. Bath Drilling Direct uses specialised drill bits, equipment and methodology during its 6-stage process to avoid enamel damage. View Steel Bath Drilling Process →
Why don't Clients just get the holes drilled at the factory?
Clients often do. However there are substantial reasons why this may not be possible:
- Lead times for custom holes can be 4-6 weeks. Many Clients cannot wait that long.
- Manufacturers typically offer standard tap hole sizes/positions. Clients may want custom holes for different fittings.
- Clients often decide they want bath-mounted fittings after the bath has been ordered/delivered. Sending the bath back to European manufacturers (mostly in Germany and Portugal) is impractical, very expensive and can take 1-2 months. Bath Drilling Direct can drill the holes within days.
- Factory pricing for custom holes is more expensive than Bath Drilling Direct pricing.
- Manufacturers typically warrant against design and manufacturing defects, rather than normal use, accidental damage or wear & tear. So after installation, the practical scope of the warranty is relatively limited.
Does Bath Drilling Direct travel to the customer and which areas are covered?
Yes. Bath Drilling Direct travels directly to the Client, across the entire UK. We have completed projects in all parts of the UK, including Scotland and Wales. View pricing & area coverage →
How much does the service cost?
Bath Drilling Direct charges a fixed price of per bath, as well as a travel fee based on mileage from our base in London. View pricing & area coverage →
Can multiple holes be drilled to accommodate the Client fittings?
Yes. Bath Drilling Direct offers anything from single hole to multiple holes depending on the Client fittings. View Steel Bath Tap Holes →
Does Bath Drilling Direct charge more for multiple holes?
No. Unlike the manufacturers, we offer a fixed price per bath, regardless of the hole quantity. View pricing & area coverage →
Can holes be positioned anywhere on the bath?
Holes can be positioned on any top surface, curved inner tub, sides or base. Anywhere except on ridges. View Steel Bath Tap Holes →
What hole sizes can Bath Drilling Direct drill?
We offer hole sizes from as small as 3mm up to over 60mm as standard. This covers the vast majority of bath-mounted fittings available on the market. Please enquire for hole sizes larger than this; we work with custom drill bit manufacturers for all our needs.
How can a Client be assured Bath Drilling Direct will position the holes accurately?
The measurement stage (step 1 of our 6-stage process) includes measuring the fittings to be installed, determining the required hole size, measuring/marking the bath and consulting with the Client. Bath Drilling Direct technicians use a custom mobile app to record all aspects of the bath prior to drilling, including any pre-existing defects, hole sizes/positions and photos. The Client must sign the app prior to drilling commencement, for proper record keeping.
How is the exposed steel protected after drilling?
Bath Drilling Direct applies a specialised enamel coating after thoroughly de-burring, shaping, smoothening and cleaning the exposed steel. The coating takes approximately 24 hours to cure, after which permanent corrosion protection is established. View Steel Bath Drilling Process →
Can tap holes be drilled into the bath after it has been installed?
Yes, Bath Drilling Direct is accustomed to drilling holes into baths that have already been installed, as well as working in tight spaces. The equipment we use allows for all 6 stages of the drilling process to be completed correctly.
Does the Client need to provide or do anything?
The Client is required to provide access to the drilling location at the agreed time, a safe working environment away from mobile machinery (such as forklifts) and a space free of people traffic during the drilling process. Refer to our Terms & Conditions for further information.
Does the Bath Drilling Direct technician bring everything needed to safely and correctly perform the drilling?
Yes. The technician is equipped with all drilling equipment, cleaning materials, safety equipment and clothing during the visit.
How long does the bath drilling process take to complete?
Approximately one hour per bath. If the bath has many holes, the time may extend to 2 hours, depending on complexity and variety of sizes.
Does Bath Drilling Direct require any payment or deposit upfront?
No. We only charge the Client after the drilling work has been completed. View pricing & area coverage →
How does the Client pay afterwards?
Businesses are issued an invoice, typically with 30 days payment terms. Individuals (public) are charged by the technician immediately after drilling work is completed. The technician shall provide the Client with a payment link (via PayPal or Wise) or bank details for immediate payment. View pricing & area coverage →
Does Bath Drilling Direct offer liability protection?
Yes. We assume full liability coverage via third party insurance as standard. It is included in the fixed price. Refer to our Terms & Conditions for further information.