No matter how well a tiling job turns out, it’s bound to need some maintenance over its lifespan. That’s why we’ve assembled this quick guide to walk you through the repair process from start to finish. Here’s how to replace a broken or damaged tile using high-quality Goldblatt tools for tile professionals.
It’s possible to save cracked tiles with a liquid bonding agent, but this should only be used as a last resort with tiles that may be especially difficult to replace. Is your tile cracked, chipped, or noticeably scratched? Replace it. Showing signs of excessive wear or discoloration? Same story. As a general rule of thumb, most tiles that are damaged should be replaced – no matter the type of damage.
Hopefully you saved some extra tiles from back when you began the tiling job. If not, it may be possible to buy the same type of tile a few years after installation, especially with more common styles. Take a picture of your current tile and bring it into your local tiling store, or bring a piece of the broken tile with you. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see anything that matches on display – many tile retailers still have a stock of older or less common options in the back.
Use a sturdy tool like our pro tile grout saw to make stripping, cleaning, and removing old grout fast and easy. Carefully cut the grout around the edges of the tile that needs replacing. Go as slowly or as quickly as you feel comfortable. It’s not a race!
This is the fun part. Put a towel or other padding over the old tile, then grab a hammer and start to break it apart. Don’t go too crazy though – you don’t want to damage any of the surrounding tiles. Once you feel like you’ve broken the tile up enough, remove the padding to check, and then collect and discard the pieces of old tile.
Scraping away the old tile adhesive is the most tedious part of this job, but it’s also the most important to ensure a quality tile replacement. A hammer and chisel are all you need to remove the old tile adhesive, but our tile scraper is an even better tool for the job – especially for larger tiles.
At this point, you should bring in a shop vacuum and use it to clean up the old adhesive you just scraped away, as well as any small pieces of the old tile that may be tucked in the cracks. You want a nice, clean surface for your replacement tile before you go any further. After all, there’s no use in learning how to replace a broken or damaged tile if the new tile won’t stick to your surface!
Get some thinset mortar and mix it up according to the instructions on the packaging. Grab a pro notch trowel to spread it evenly across your surface. It’s important to use a notched trowel because the channels created by the notches will help ensure even contact with the tile surface. The exact type of trowel you need will vary, so if you’re unsure of which one to use for your project, this blog post can help point you in the right direction.
When setting the new tile, drop it gently into place. You don’t want to have to make any adjustments that will shift the thinset underneath, so be precise with your initial placement. Make sure the edges of the new tile line up with the edges of the tiles surrounding it, and then press firmly and evenly along the tile surface to make it level. Let the thinset cure for as long as the manufacturer recommends.
Once the thinset holding the new tile has cured, mix up some grout that matches the color of the grout around your existing tiles. Take a high-quality grout float, like our pro epoxy grout float, and work the grout into the seams diagonally to ensure the grout stays in the gaps and completely fills the areas around the tile.
Roughly 15 minutes after applying new grout, wipe the surface of the new tile to remove any film that may have been left by the grout application process. Be sure to wait at least 24 hours before applying any pressure to the new tile. For extra protection, consider using a grout sealant to help guard against stains and water damage.
Now that your damaged tile has been successfully repaired, you can sit back and relax – at least until it’s time to start another project. And Goldblatt has the tools you need to get your next tile, concrete, masonry, or drywall project done right. Browse our selection of professional-grade tools and learn why our products are built to build.
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