Download Article

Download Commodity

If 1 or more of your floor or counter tiles have cracked—whether from regular wear and tear or from having a heavy object dropped on them—yous don't necessarily need to supervene upon the cracked tile. If replacing a tile isn't in your budget, or if the tile isn't badly damaged, you can repair the tile. If the tile but has a thin hairline scissure in it, you tin fill it with an epoxy. Or, for a more than DIY option, try using wood glue and nail polish. If the tile is too badly cracked to repair it, you tin but supercede the damaged tile.

  1. one

    Buy a 2-part epoxy kit at a local hardware store. Epoxy is, essentially, a hardening mixture that you can use to "glue" together the 2 pieces of your cracked tile. While there are 1-part epoxy kits, the 2-part multifariousness is college quality and will hold your croaky tile together for longer.[1] Cheque at your local hardware store and, if they don't sell epoxy, try a abode-comeback store.

    • Practiced-quality 2-role epoxy kits sell for around $35–twoscore USD.

  2. 2

    Clean the cracked tile with newspaper towels and rubbing alcohol. Pour a little rubbing alcohol onto i or ii sheets of paper towel. Wipe the damp newspaper towel over the surface of the croaky tile until it's clean. Cleaning the croaky tile volition remove any dust and crud and ensure that the epoxy sticks to the surface of the tile itself.[2]

    • Both of these products are sold at every grocery store and drugstore.

    Advertisement

  3. iii

    Mix together the epoxy on top of a spare sheet of cardboard. Use a popsicle stick to scrape out about two tablespoons (43 g) of epoxy mixture from each of the 2 bottles onto a sheet of cardboard. Stir the ii parts of the epoxy together until they're fully blended. This will first a chemical reaction that hardens the epoxy.[3]

    • If y'all don't accept extra cardboard lying around, you lot could likewise mix the epoxy on top of a strip of wax paper or scrap wood.

  4. 4

    Smear the mixed epoxy along the hairline fracture in the tile. Take your popsicle stick and scoop up about one-half of the mixed epoxy. Transfer the epoxy to the tile and advisedly spread a thin layer of epoxy along the entire length of the cleft. The liquid will slowly seep down into the scissure earlier it hardens. Make sure that you've also covered about 1⁄2 centimetre (0.20 in) on either side of the crack with epoxy, too. Piece of work fast, as the epoxy dries quickly.[4]

    • Endeavour non to get the epoxy over the remainder of the un-croaky surface of the tile.

  5. v

    Wait 5–10 minutes for the epoxy to dry. The epoxy should be fully dry out in less than 15 minutes. To see if the epoxy is dry out, endeavour tapping it with the tip of 1 finger. When it'due south fully dry, the epoxy will exist firm to the touch. Your finger volition also come up abroad with no traces of epoxy goo stuck to it.[v]

    • While the epoxy is drying, don't touch it or gear up anything on peak of it. Also keep whatever pets and children in your habitation away from the tile.

  6. 6

    Cutting away excess stale epoxy from around the crack. Apply the precipitous edge of a razor bract to scrape away any devious epoxy that got onto the tile. To clean off the epoxy, hold the bract at a 45-caste angle against the surface of the tile. Slide under excess epoxy to remove it.[6]

    • Be conscientious while you're cutting epoxy with the razor blade. Razors are extremely sharp, and you could easily cut yourself if the blade slips.

  7. 7

    Tint the epoxy to friction match the color of your tile. You tin can purchase a powder dye (specifically fabricated to dye epoxy) from any craft or hobby store. Mix the tinted powders (east.g., brown, gray, black) together until y'all create a colour that matches your tiles. Following the manufacturer's directions, apply the dye powder to the epoxy until the location of the repaired crack is no longer visible.[7]

    • This step is optional. If you lot find that the epoxy is already close to the color of your tiles, you may choose to leave it undyed.

    8. Advert

  1. i

    Apply a thin layer of forest glue over the widest part of the fissure. This method works well for cracks that are larger than small hairline cracks. Squeeze out a dollop of wood mucilage onto the crack on your tile. Utilise your finger or a chopstick to smear the wood glue lengthwise across whatever parts of the crack larger than 1 millimetre (0.039 in) beyond. Wait about ten minutes for the glue to dry.[viii]

    • Wood glue volition aggrandize and contract without losing its adhesion to the tile. This strengthens your repair and ensures that the repair job will last.

  2. ii

    Pigment a thin layer of fingernail polish along the crack. Use the small brush that comes with the nail polish to depict the liquid polish out of the metal jar and onto the surface of the tile. Smear the polish along the crack in your tile until the entire fissure is covered. As well cover 1–2 millimetres (0.039–0.079 in) on either side of the crack to make sure that it seals.[9]

    • This method of repairing tile will only piece of work on tiles that take a glazed finish, not porous tiles.
    • Information technology's best to use a shade of nail polish that matches the surface of your tiles. For instance, if you have lite biscuit tiles, cull a light biscuit shade of nail polish.
    • In some cases, if you can't observe a shade of smooth that matches your tile exactly, you may need to mix together 2 separate shades to create a matching smooth.

  3. 3

    Wait 10 minutes for the fingernail polish to dry out. The nail smoothen needs to fully dry before you cease repairing the cracked tile.[10] To see if the boom polish is dry later on 10 minutes, lightly tap it with a finger. If your finger comes away dry and the nail smooth doesn't have the image of your fingerprint on it, the polish is dry.

    • If the nail shine is still damp after 10 minutes, wait an additional 5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Remove any backlog nail fingernail smooth with nail smooth remover. It's like shooting fish in a barrel to accidentally get as well much nail polish on the surface of the tile. To remove it, only pour a picayune bit of nail polish remove onto a gauze cotton swab. Smear the cotton swab across the excess blast smoothen v–half-dozen times to remove information technology.[eleven]

    • If the excess nail smooth doesn't come off on the first try, use another cotton swab and more than nail polish remover and try again.

    5. Advertisement

  1. one

    Drill iii–4 small holes in the tile to weaken information technology for removal. Hold a power drill vertically above the broken tile so the bit will become directly downwards into the tile. Squeeze the trigger to start the drill, and drill a few holes to weaken the tile. The holes should be in a directly line in the centre of the tile, going either horizontally or vertically beyond the tile confront.[12]

    • If the drill kicks upwards small pieces of tile or creates dust, clean up after yourself with a dustpan and broom.

  2. 2

    Chip apart and remove the tile with a hammer and chisel. [13] Identify the blade of a chisel along the line of holes that you drilled in the tile. Tap on the butt end of the chisel with a hammer until the bract breaks through the tile. Tilt the chisel at a 45-degree angle and continue tapping it along so that it breaks all of the damaged tile away from the surface beneath it.[14]

    • Hammer with plenty power to crack the tile merely non so much forcefulness that you damage the forest beneath the tile. Also be careful non to damage any of the next tiles!
    • Once yous've removed the tile, throw it in the trash and sweep upwardly the area.

  3. 3

    Scrape off whatever grout or mortar that remain beneath the tile. [fifteen] Grout is a tough, viscid cloth and will about likely have adhered to the wood nether the tile. Hold the bract of the chisel at an acute 20-degree angle (relative to the floor) and slide it along the space where you just pulled the tile out. Scrape until yous've removed all of the grout.[16]

    • Throw the grout away in a trashcan that children and pets don't take access to (so they can't eat it).

  4. 4

    Find or purchase a new tile to replace the damaged tile you removed. Ideally, you lot'll have a spare tile or 2 left over from when the tile flooring or counter was installed. If that'due south not the case, take a pic of the tile yous're looking to replace. Bring it with you to a nearby home-comeback store or tile specialty shop. Look for a tile that matches the tiles in your habitation as closely as possible.[17]

    • The sales staff volition also be able to help you detect a matching manner of tile.

  5. v

    Apply mortar to the base of operations of a replacement tile. [18] Put on a pair of latex gloves before you showtime working with mortar. Buy a small tub of mortar and a putty pocketknife from a local hardware store. Use the blade of the putty knife to scoop up a dollop of mortar and spread it evenly beyond the bottom side of the tile. When fully spread, the mortar should be about 1⁄eight inch (0.32 cm) thick.[19]

    • Be careful not to get mortar on whatsoever of the other tiles. It's hard to remove!

  6. half-dozen

    Set the new tile in place and apply gentle force per unit area. Concur the tile so that information technology'due south centered over the hole that you removed the original tile from. Set the tile in the hole and press downwardly lightly to seat the tile in identify.[20]

    • If yous apply too much pressure level, backlog mortar will be pressed out from beneath the tile and come up upwards on its sides.

  7. 7

    Apply grout around the new tile using a grout float. Spread a small dollop of grout onto the lesser of a grout bladder. Run the grout float across the surface of the newly installed tile. Continue to apply grout on and around the tile until the small 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) gaps on all iv sides of the tile are completely filled in.[21]

    • A grout float is a large, flat tool with a handle that you can use to spread grout around. You tin purchase 1 at a hardware store or home-comeback shop.
    • Make sure to utilize a color of grout that matches the existing grout that surrounds other tiles!

  8. eight

    Wipe the tiles clean with a damp rag. [22] Before the grout dries, dampen a rag or old washcloth and use it to rub the new tile (and whatever other grout-covered tiles) clean. Make sure to get out the grout in the gaps surrounding the new tile undisturbed. Let the grout dry overnight, and your tile surface will exist ready for use![23]

    • If you forget to clean off the tiles for a few hours, removing the grout will be a much harder job!

    9. Advertisement

Add together New Question

  • Question

    Can I easily replace a cracked tile?

    Art Fricke

    Art Fricke
    Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

    Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over x years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing croaky tiles, and installing flooring and wall tile.

    Art Fricke

    Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

    Proficient Answer

    You usually tin! Simply scrape out the grout around the tile and use a hammer and chisel to break the old ane out. After that, you can apply mortar to the new tile and press it into place. Don't forget to make full in the gap with new grout.

  • Question

    Do you put mortar on the back of a tile?

    Art Fricke

    Art Fricke
    Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

    Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of feel, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation piece of work, and performs projects such every bit installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing croaky tiles, and installing flooring and wall tile.

    Art Fricke

    Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

    Good Answer

    Yes! When yous're ready to lay the tile, scoop out a dollop of mortar and swipe it onto the back of the tile before placing information technology down on the flooring.

  • Question

    Can y'all lay new tile over old mortar?

    Art Fricke

    Fine art Fricke
    Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

    Art Fricke is a abode renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Fine art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such every bit installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing flooring and wall tile.

    Art Fricke

    Abode Renovation & Repair Specialist

    Practiced Reply

    No. Earlier y'all lay downward new tile, scrape up the old mortar to prepare the area. Otherwise, your floor may be uneven.

  • Question

    Tin can y'all remove ane cleaved tile?

    Art Fricke

    Fine art Fricke
    Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

    Art Fricke is a habitation renovation and repair specialist and the possessor of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a unmarried contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such every bit installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing croaky tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.

    Art Fricke

    Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

    Expert Answer

    Yes! Only chip apart the old tile you want to remove. Then, pry upwards the pieces using a hammer and chisel.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Things You'll Demand

  • 2-part epoxy kit
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Paper towels
  • Popsicle stick
  • Cardboard sheet
  • Razor bract
  • Wood gum
  • Chop stick
  • Fingernail polish
  • Boom smooth remover
  • Cotton swab
  • Drill
  • Drill bit
  • Dustpan and broom
  • Hammer
  • Chisel
  • Replacement tile
  • Mortar
  • Putty knife
  • Latex gloves
  • Grout
  • Grout bladder
  • Rag

  • Be aware that, although repairing a croaky tile is a quick and piece of cake method, it's merely a temporary solution. The tile will likely crack over again. Replacing the tile—although it's more expensive and time-consuming—is a longer-lasting fix whether the tile is located in your flooring, bath, or puddle.

  • If yous'd rather non use an epoxy to patch up your cracked tile, many hardware stores and home-improvement stores also sell fast-hardening tile filler.[24]

Advertizement

References

About This Article

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 130,039 times.

Did this commodity help you?