How to Repair Tile
Find a replacement tile that matches., Choose a matching grout., Remove the old tile completely., Set the replacement tile., Grout the area according to the grout manufacturer's directions. , Finished.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Find a replacement tile that matches.
Flooring contractors often leave spare tiles in the garage or storage room for when the homeowner might need to repair tile mishaps. -
Step 2: Choose a matching grout.
Borrow colored grout samples from a well-stocked flooring supply store and bring it home to find the closest match. , Be careful not to damage any of the surrounding tiles.
Use an electric drill with a masonry bit to drill a diagonal series of small holes into the cracked tile, keeping drilled holes less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) apart.
Split the tile through the horizontal hole-line by using a ball-peen hammer to tap a cold chisel into the tile.
Tap very lightly so as not to crack neighboring grout joints.
Remove the loosened pieces.
Use a flat bar to pry up any shards that you cannot get up by hand.
Scrape the remaining old mortar from the subfloor using a stiff-bladed scraper.
It is not important that you get every last bit up.
Just make sure the area is fairly clean of mortar.
Vacuum up any loose dirt or debris. , Use a notched trowel to spread mortar onto the subfloor and lay the new tile in.
Use a level to ensure tile is laying perfectly flat and also to determine that the newly set tile is flush with surrounding tiles. ,, -
Step 3: Remove the old tile completely.
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Step 4: Set the replacement tile.
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Step 5: Grout the area according to the grout manufacturer's directions.
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Step 6: Finished.
Detailed Guide
Flooring contractors often leave spare tiles in the garage or storage room for when the homeowner might need to repair tile mishaps.
Borrow colored grout samples from a well-stocked flooring supply store and bring it home to find the closest match. , Be careful not to damage any of the surrounding tiles.
Use an electric drill with a masonry bit to drill a diagonal series of small holes into the cracked tile, keeping drilled holes less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) apart.
Split the tile through the horizontal hole-line by using a ball-peen hammer to tap a cold chisel into the tile.
Tap very lightly so as not to crack neighboring grout joints.
Remove the loosened pieces.
Use a flat bar to pry up any shards that you cannot get up by hand.
Scrape the remaining old mortar from the subfloor using a stiff-bladed scraper.
It is not important that you get every last bit up.
Just make sure the area is fairly clean of mortar.
Vacuum up any loose dirt or debris. , Use a notched trowel to spread mortar onto the subfloor and lay the new tile in.
Use a level to ensure tile is laying perfectly flat and also to determine that the newly set tile is flush with surrounding tiles. ,,
About the Author
Abigail Ramos
Writer and educator with a focus on practical organization knowledge.
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