Best way to repair cracked tile
by
Tara
+4
One of the tiles on the edge of our kitchen floor cracked and now the pieces have come completely loose on that tile. I need to just temporarily fix it as we will eventually be ripping this floor out but it's dangerous the way it is now. Would superglue do the trick or what would you use?
7 answers
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Tiles always crack if the builder did not put backer board down first, which many dont to save money. No superglue will not work, better to mix up a small amount of the tile mix and reset it with the cracks joined up, better would be to replace as you know how it goes, you do the fix and then it stays like that for four years, even if you are planning on redoing it, sometimes these projects just never happen.
Helengordon
on Dec 10, 2013
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Thank you. Oh yes I know about the projects that never happen. Can you replace one tile though? I guess I'd have a hard time finding one to match exactly even though it's pretty generic. The house is 11 years old.
Tara
on Dec 10, 2013
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@Tara replacing a single tile is an easy operation, especially if the tile is already cracked. of course, being confident you can match it is important first. perhaps snap a pic and visit a specially tile supplier. With newer built homes sometimes you find excess in the recesses of the basement (but I am sure you've probably looked). If you decide to move forward: something to score it with, cold chisel and a hammer or mallet (eye protection too!) dig the tile out. Once a piece is out you'll have yet another resource for matching. To re-set a small tub of pre-mixed mortar/grout. This product would work just as well if you opt for the repair route. this looks like a decent vid with some important tips. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tp50Mno1Zk good luck.
Building Moxie
on Dec 10, 2013
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Thank you! Of course not knowing any better and being a first time homeowner we had the original owners clean everything out of the shed including tile. Because they had tons of stuff and we never really thought we'd need it. Live and learn!
Tara
on Dec 10, 2013
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just one postscript on replacing tile - I'd say the hardest part sometimes is actually removing the existing mortar under the tile so that the replacement tile with lay flush with the surface ... there are grinder attachments that can help with this, but can be messy. I've also used that cold chisel and a tile stone (in a sanding action) in combination. cheers.
Building Moxie
on Dec 11, 2013
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Tara, first you will need to completely remove the cracked tile, grout and thinset from under the tile, then you can set a new tile in thinset, let it set for a day and grout the following day.
Johnny Paizano's
on Dec 11, 2013
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go with johnnie Paizano only grout it at the same time to save time do not walk on it for 48 hours
Bordeaux Construction Services
on Dec 11, 2013
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