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How to Replace Cracked Tile

What you need

  1. How to Replace Cracked Tile, Cracked Tile: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Use a painter's tool or putty knife to remove the grout from around the cracked tile.

    • Using an edge or corner of your painter's tool or putty knife, scrape the grout along the perimeter of the broken tile.

    • Be careful not to crack or scratch surrounding tiles.

  2. How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 2, image 1 of 3 How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 2, image 2 of 3 How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Use the painter's tool or putty knife to pry up the broken tile.

    • If the tile does not lift, place an old rag over the tile and use the hammer to break the tile into smaller pieces.

    • Avoid using surrounding tile as leverage and be precise and careful while using the hammer.

  3. How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the broken pieces of tile, using gloved hands for large pieces or a broom for smaller shards.

    • Using the painter's tool or putty knife, scrape the grout from the edges of tile and any adhesive from under the tile.

    • Be careful of sharp shards of tile.

  4. How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Apply new adhesive using the trowel, making sure the adhesive is spread evenly.

    • Drag the toothed end of the trowel across the adhesive to create even rows.

    • Quickly remove any adhesive from the surrounding tiles using a wet sponge or old rag, working quickly as the adhesive will begin to dry.

  5. How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 5, image 1 of 3 How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 5, image 2 of 3 How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Place the new tile down in the center of the empty space.

    • If available, use tile spacers to ensure proper placement.

    • Allow the adhesive to dry based on the instructions provided on the product.

    • During this time, prevent foot traffic on the new tile.

  6. How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 6, image 1 of 2 How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • After the adhesive has dried, add water to a small amount of grout until it's the consistency of toothpaste.

    • Fill in the area around the new tile, making sure the new grout matches the height of the surrounding grout.

    • Use a moist sponge to wipe diagonally across the tile, cleaning off excess grout after each wipe.

  7. How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 7, image 1 of 2 How to Replace Cracked Tile: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • If any bubbles or gaps form in the grout while removing excess, add more grout and repeat the cleaning process.

    • Wait and allow grout to dry for several hours.

    • Keep foot traffic away from the new tile until the grout has had time to dry.

Conclusion

Allow the grout to dry and then resume normal use.

8 other people completed this guide.

Allie Wallace

Member since: 02/25/16

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Team

Texas Tech, Team 26-7, Rauch Spring 2016 Member of Texas Tech, Team 26-7, Rauch Spring 2016

TTU-RAUCH-S16S26G7

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2 Guides authored

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