All About Tile Repair and Tile Installation

Repair Broken or Cracked Bathroom Tiles

Broken or cracked bathroom tiles that are set over drywall are difficult to replace because the drywall is usually damaged and is in need of repair. You will have to remove the damage drywall from one stud to another (between studs) so you can install new backer board from one stud to the other stud. I like to use cement board because it protect much better against water leakage and highly resistant in mold build up.

TIP: For cracked or broken tiles set into cement (before 1960) it would be better to have a professional tile man repair the area. You may call me at 917 865-8693, if you run into trouble or need addition help with tile repair.

Before you replace anything, check to see if mold exist. Mold can bleed through you newly installed backer board and grout. Use some bleach to kill the mold that can be located on the wooden studs and surrounding area.

If a single tile has been cracked or chipped, you can usually repair it. To replace the damaged tile, dig out the grout around the tile with a special tool called a grout saw or a utility knife. Shatter the broken tile into small pieces by hitting it with a hammer and a masonry chisel. Wear safety glasses, pieces may go flying. Pry out the pieces and scrape off the grout and adhesive with a scraper or putty knife. If drywall is under the tile, be careful not to dig into it. Clean out all the debris and get the surface as clean as possible.

Dry fit the new tile to be installed. What it doesn’t fit? Very often the new tile will not fit easily even if it is the same tile that was originally installed. If you file down all four sides of the tile, it will fit. You can use a tile setter’s stone or even the cement on your side walk to file-down each side. Install the new tile by applying tile glue. You could buy a small bucket of glue for repair jobs. Place glue in back of tile and install into the area. If tile stick out too much, remove tile and take some glue off and try again. If tile is sunk in too much, remove it and add glue and try again.

When you’re finished, add grout and wait about 4 hours to dry. If the replaced tile is located in the shower or tub area, wait 24 hours before you shower or bathe.

RE-GROUTING TILES

Tile Repair Specialist Manuel re-grouting ceramic tiles in the bathroom area.

Grout can discolor in time if not maintained properly. When you shower or bathe, water is splashed inside the shower and bath area and is mixed with soap, your body oils and minerals that are found in water itself. When you mix them all together, a dirty film can develop over the tiles, grout and tub. Grout can also diminish and crack in time if you use bleach or ammonia. The best way to maintain tiles and grout in your shower and bath area is to mix water, baking soda and clear vinegar in a pail or basin and wipe your grout and tiles.

TIP: Use a small cloth or sponge daily to remove excess water from tiles, shower glass doors and tub prior to you leaving the bath tub area after you showered or bathe.

Nick the Tile Repair Specialist removing old grout and caulk using one of several tools to accomplish this task.	Tile repair tools includes small scraper, large and small grout saws, utility knife, small gauge grout saw, straight edge razor and large scraper with hook edge.	Large tile grout saw is used to remove grout between ceramic tiles, that has changed color and or has signs of some mold on the grout.

GROUT REMOVAL TECHNIQUES

First remove old grout with a utility knife or a grout saw. This is a hands-on job; do not use a machine to remove grout. Take it slow when using the utility knife or grout saw when removing the old grout, you do not want to extend beyond the grout line and scratch the tile. It is better that you remove as much of the old grout that you can in the shower and tub area. You want to re-grout an entire area so it doesn’t look like a tile repair job.

TIP: If the remaining grout between the tiles is black, this can be a sign of mold. Use some bleach to remove the mold in the remaining grout of the tile before you apply new grout.

I like to use powdered grout because it’s easier to apply and remove. You can use a polymer modified grout (just mix with water) or regular grout which you should mix with an acrylic latex additive. You can purchase a grout floater which will spread the grout onto the tiles. Mix the grout until it’s easy to move but not too watery or dry. Place a small amount of grout on your floater. Work the grout between the tiles not over the entire tile. The object is to fill in the area between the tiles and avoid spreading grout all over the tile.

TIP: Work a small area at a time. Wipe the excess grout off the tiles with a sponge and clean water before grout hardens. Wear plastic gloves when you grout.