IN THIS POST
– Required Tools & Materials
– Steps to Replace Broken Tile
Although there are different types of floor tiles available in the market, ceramic and porcelain are considered the most popular choice for homes in Pakistan. They can be a great choice for any modern home as they are aesthetically pleasing, relatively low maintenance, easy to clean, and very durable. They also don’t break, chip or crack easily, and even if they do, it is pretty simple and cost-efficient to replace a broken tile instead of retiling an entire room.
Blunt force accidents are one of the biggest causes behind hairline cracks and chips in tiles. If you end up dropping something heavy on these tiles, such as a cast-iron pot, the tile may crack or even break into smaller pieces. In case that happens, you’ve got two main options: You can either repair the cracked tile, which essentially means hiding the damage or remove and replace the tile with an identical one. The first idea is only possible if the tile has only suffered minor damage. But if the tile is completely shattered or cracked beyond repair, replacing it is the only solution.
Since we have already discussed how to fix a chipped tile without replacing it in great detail, it’s time to take a look at how to replace a broken floor tile.
Let’s get started.
Tools & Materials Required to Replace a Broken Tile
These are the tools and materials you will need to replace a cracked tile without damaging the others around it.
- Identical tile(s)
- Carbide tipped scoring knife
- Painter’s tape
- Drill
- Chisel or flat-blade screwdriver
- Hammer
- Thinset mortar
- Grout powder
- Notched trowel
- Flat trowel
- Sponge
- Safety glasses
- Protective rubber gloves
It is pertinent to mention that the cost to replace a broken tile depends largely on the size and type of tile.
Now that we know which tools you’ll need to remove tiles from the concrete floor, let’s take a look at the complete procedure.
Step-By-Step Guide to Replacing a Broken Tile
Follow these steps to remove a broken tile from the floor of your kitchen, bathroom, living room or any other room.
You can also use this guide to replace a broken wall tile in your home.
Step 1: Remove the Grout
The first step in removing a floor tile is to remove the grout around the broken piece.
Firstly, you must put on your protective gear, which includes safety glasses as well as gloves. Secondly, carefully remove the grout without accidentally damaging the neighbouring tiles. You can use a carbide-tipped scoring knife for this purpose. This common finishing tool can be purchased from any hardware tool.
All you need to do is rake out the grout using a scoring knife.
Step 2: Loosen the Tile
In order to replace a broken tile, you must first remove the damaged or cracked pieces.
Once you’ve successfully removed the grout, apply painter’s tape around its edges. You can also cover the neighbouring tiles to ensure they remain intact. Next, use a power drill to break the tile into smaller sections. It is pertinent to evenly space the holes as it will help loosen up the ceramic or porcelain pieces from the substrate.
Step 3: Remove the Broken Pieces
To replace a ceramic tile, take a narrow chisel or a flat-blade screwdriver and place its tip against the centre of the tile. Gently hit the other end of the tool with a hammer to carve out the broken tile pieces. This step requires patience as well as hard work.
On the other hand, removing a porcelain tile will require a little more effort since they are harder and denser.
In either case, it is recommended to place your chisel at a 90-degree angle to penetrate the tough glaze. Later, you can switch your angle to 45 degrees to chisel out the broken tile. Make sure you’re wearing rubber gloves while removing the tiles. After removing the broken tile, use a wider chisel to get rid of the thinset mortar. The cement backer board underneath the tile must be clean of any material before you replace broken floor tiles.
Step 4: Install the New Tile
Mix a small amount of thinset mortar using the manufacturer’s instruction and apply it inside the empty tile pocket on the floor using a notched trowel. You can also apply some mortar on the backside of the new tile for better adhesion.
Carefully set the new tile in place and press it down with the flat of your palm to ensure it is at level with the surrounding tiles. You must also make sure the tile has even spacing on all four sides. If possible, consider using tile spacers to ensure a flawless appearance while replacing a broken ceramic tile.
For more information, feel free to take a look at our complete tutorial on how to tile a bathroom floor.
Step 5: Mix and Apply the Grout
It takes around two hours for the thinset to cure. After that, you have to apply grout.
You can mix a small quantity of grout as per the packaging instruction and apply it to the joints around the tile using a sponge. For a uniform appearance, use a flat trowel at an angle of 45 degrees. Since grout can dry within minutes, it is important to clean the excess material from the tile as soon as possible. You can use a damp sponge for this purpose. Once the grout completely sets, remove the painter’s tape from around the edges of the new tile.
Wait for at least 24 hours before walking on the floor. Moreover, keep it from becoming wet until the tile properly sets.
This brings an end to our guide on how to replace a broken tile. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this DIY tutorial, feel free to share them with us at blog@zameen.com.
Meanwhile, if you are confused about different flooring options, here’s how you can choose the best types of tiles for each room in your house.
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