You don’t have to rip out an entire floor or wall of tile to replace a single broken tile. Instead, you can save money using your leftover tiles or find a similar replacement at your local tile store.
First, you’ll need to protect any open doors or trim with plastic sheets to avoid dust and damage. Then, loosen the old tile and chisel out the pieces.
Choose Your Tiles Carefully
Tile is the obvious choice for kitchens and bathrooms, but it’s also a wonderful option for mudrooms, entryways, and living spaces. It looks stunning and is impervious to moisture, stands up well to stains, and doesn’t absorb bacteria or odors.
If you’re replacing old or broken tiles, choosing carefully is important. You’ll want to match your existing tile as closely as possible, and you might not be able to get an exact replacement if the style has been discontinued.
To prevent this from happening, save a few shards of your original tile and take them with you when shopping for replacements. Look for architectural salvage stores in your area, which often carry pieces of older tile. If you can’t find the perfect match, use a clear epoxy to fill in any cracks or chips. Make sure you follow the epoxy’s manufacturer’s instructions. Then, once the epoxy is dry, apply new grout.
Consider Your Space
Broken tiles are not only unsightly, but they also can pose a safety hazard for family members or guests. Moreover, water that seeps through cracked or chipped tiles can lead to serious damage to the subflooring. So, repairing or tile replacements Schaumburg, IL, as soon as possible is crucial.
To calculate how many tiles you’ll need, begin with a tape measure and determine the space’s square footage (length times width). Then, multiply that number by the area of one tile in inches. That’ll give you an accurate amount to buy.
Get Creative With Patterns
Tile is a durable material that offers various design options, making it a popular choice for floors and walls in many homes. However, one of the pitfalls of tile in your home is that it can be difficult to repair once damaged.
While a single cracked or chipped tile may be easy enough to repair with epoxy, it’s time to look for a replacement if the damage is more widespread. You should have saved some spare tiles when you remodeled your floor or kitchen, but finding an exact match can be tough if you didn’t or if you moved into a home that had tile before.
Before you search for replacements, put on some work gloves and a pair of safety goggles and remove all of the old grout. This process can be messy, so take your time to avoid damaging adjacent tiles and the mortar adhesive underneath.
Don’t Forget the Grout
The grout can make or break the look of your tile. It fills in the gaps between the tiles and acts as a sealant to prevent moisture, dirt and debris from getting into the walls behind your tile. It also helps to keep your tile in place, as homes and buildings settle over time.
Before replacing a broken tile, you must thoroughly clean the area. This will ensure that dust and loose tile residue are removed and that the replacement tile will match the rest of your home’s tiling.
Next, put on a pair of safety goggles and a mask to protect your eyes, then begin drilling into the broken tile using a drill with an appropriate bit (e.g., a ceramic or stone bit). Apply painter’s tape around the area to protect undamaged tiles and start removing the tile and its grout, working on one piece at a time.
