replacing damage

Tile repair, bathroom tile repair, and tile fixture repair, welcome to the section that will answer these questions and show you how to do it. This section will detail the proper methods in removing, replacing, and re-grouting ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile and porcelain tile  fixtures in existing bathrooms and other areas.

Whether the ceramic, porcelain, or stone tile is broken, chipped, or the wrong color does not necessarily matter. The removal and reinstallation procedure is the same. The first mandatory step is to remove the grout, as close to totally as possible, all the way around the tile or tiles needing removal.

Next use a dry cut saw, if available, to cut the tile diagonally through to the substrate. Then simply use a chisel to break out the pieces and remove the tile. Try to remove as much of the bonding material as possible prior to re-bonding the new tile. If a dry saw is not available, this process can be accomplished with just a chisel.

Caution: Wear safety glasses! Tile can and will fracture like glass and pieces can easily fly across a room.

If the item is a soap dish, shower shelf, or any other ceramic or stone material, it is removed in the same fashion.

Once the items are removed and the bonding material is removed, carefully replace the item using the same type of bonding adhesive used originally. Beat the tile in softly insuring that excess slippage is not present. Allow the item to cure and then grout.

If the installation is newer, the grout may be close in color. The grout adjacent to the tile can be thoroughly cleaned aiding in matching the grout color. Unfortunately, there is no way to perfectly match older grout color with new grout.

Look in the Repair/Remodeling section for step-by-step instructions for specific problems.