How To Replace a Cracked Tile Part 01

Kitchen And Bathroom Renovation : How To Replace a Cracked Tile Part 01

A loose tile in a shower stall or tub enclosure should be fixed as soon as possible. If a tile is moving,
water can get behind it and damage the wall underneath. Th is trapped moisture will instigate mold growth and eventually cause more tiles to loosen and fall out completely.

CONSIDER

The wall behind the tile you’re fi xing must be dry before you re-glue the tile. You can use a hair dryer on the wall to speed up the drying time.

You must allow 24 hours of drying time between gluing and grouting the tile before it can get wet or be disturbed. In other words, that shower stall or tub should be off -limits for 2 days.

You run the risk of breaking the tile when you’re prying it out. Know that you may need to have a replacement tile on hand.

Be careful! Tile shards are very sharp. Wear safety gloves and glasses.

PREPARATION


• Plug the drain with a rag and cover the basin with a towel or tarp.
• You will want to reuse the tile, so work gently to remove it in one piece. Be mindful not to disturb the surrounding tiles.
• If it’s very loose, it will be easy to pry out with a small pry bar or putty knife. Firmly but carefully insert the tip of the pry bar or knife into the loose section of the joint, and then slowly pry the tile away from the wall.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Replacement tiles*
Nail set and hammer*
Drill/driver*
1⁄4-inch masonry drill bit*
Small pry bar or putty knife
Grout saw
Masonry “cold” chisel or dull wood
chisel*
Scraper
Notched trowel*
Grout tile fl oat
Matching premixed or powdered grout
Mixing pail and stir stick (for powdered
grout)*
Safety glasses
Gloves
Large towel or tarp
Rags
Tile adhesive
Tile spacer (sized according to your grout line)
Large man-made tile sponge
Bucket of water
* If applicable