If 1 or more of your tiles have cracked, you don't necessarily need to replace them.If you don't have the money to replace the tile, you can repair it.If the tile only has a thin crack, you can fill it with an epoxy.Try using wood glue and nailpolish as a more do-it-yourself option.You can replace the damaged tile if it's too badly cracked to repair.
Step 1: You can buy a 2-part kit at the hardware store.
The mixture that you can use to glue together the 2 pieces of your cracked tile is called a hardening mixture.The 2-part variety is higher quality and will hold your tile together for longer.If your local hardware store doesn't sell epoxy, you can go to a home improvement store.The 2-part kits sell for around $35–40USD.
Step 2: Rub alcohol on the cracked tile to clean it.
Rub alcohol onto the paper towel.To clean the cracked tile, wipe the damp paper towel over it.The cracked tile needs to be cleaned to make sure it sticks to the surface.Both of these products are sold at drugstores.
Step 3: Take a spare sheet of cardboard and mix it with the epoxy.
Use a popsicle stick to get some of the mixture from the bottles onto a sheet of cardboard.If you want to fully blend the 2 parts of the epoxy, you have to stir them together.This will cause a chemical reaction.If you don't have extra cardboard, you can mix the epoxy on top of a strip of wax paper or scrap wood.
Step 4: The tile has a fractured head.
Take your popsicle stick and scoop up some of the mix.Carefully spread a thin layer of epoxy along the entire length of the crack after transferring the epoxy to the tile.It will take a while for the liquid to trickle down into the crack.Make sure that you have covered at least 2 centimetre on either side of the crack.As the epoxy dries quickly, work fast.The rest of the tile is not cracked.
Step 5: Take 5–10 minutes to dry the epoxy.
It will be fully dry in less than 15 minutes.The tip of a single finger can be used to see if the epoxy is dry.It will be firm to the touch when it is dry.Your finger won't have any traces of the substance stuck to it.Don't touch it or put anything on it while it's drying.Pets and children should not be in your home.
Step 6: There is excess dried epoxy around the crack.
The edge of a razor blade can be used to remove stray epoxy from the tile.The blade should be held at a 45 degree angle against the tile.To remove it, slide under it.While using the razor blade, be careful.If the blade slips, you could easily cut yourself.
Step 7: The color of your tile can be matched with the tint of the Epoxy.
You can buy a powder dye from any craft or hobby store.If you want to make a color that matches your tiles, mix the tinted powders together.Apply the dye powder to the epoxy until the location of the repaired crack is no longer visible.This step is not mandatory.If you find that the epoxy is close to the tiles' color, you can leave it undyed.
Step 8: The widest part of the crack should be covered with a thin layer of wood glue.
The method works well for large cracks.Put wood glue on the tile crack.The wood glue should be spread across the larger part of the crack by using your finger or a chopstick.Wait 10 minutes for the glue to dry.Wood glue can expand and contract.The repair job will last if you strengthen it.
Step 9: There is a thin layer of nailpolish along the crack.
The small brush that comes with the nail polish can be used to draw the liquid polish out of the metal jar and onto the tile.The polish should be applied along the crack in the tile.Make sure that the crack is sealed by covering 1–2 millimetres on either side.The method of repairing tile only works on tiles with a glazed finish.It is best to use a shade of nail polish that matches the tiles.If you have beige tiles, choose a light beige shade of nail polish.If you can't find a shade of polish that matches your tile, you may need to mix two different shades to create a matching polish.
Step 10: Take 10 minutes for the nailpolish to dry.
You need to dry the nail polish before repairing the tile.If the nail polish is dry after 10 minutes, lightly tap it with a finger.If the nail polish doesn't have the image of your fingerprints on it, it's dry.Wait an additional 5 minutes if the nail polish is still wet after 10 minutes.
Step 11: Remove excess nail polish with a nailpolish remover.
It is easy to get too much nail polish on the tile.It's possible to remove it with a little bit of nail polish.The cotton swab can be used to remove excess nail polish.If the excess nail polish doesn't come off on the first try, use another cotton swab and try again.
Step 12: To weaken the tile for removal, drill small holes.
If you hold a power drill vertically above the broken tile, the bit will go straight down into the tile.To start the drill, squeeze thetrigger and drill a few holes.The holes should be in a straight line in the center of the tile.If the drill kicks up small pieces of tile, it's a good idea to clean up after yourself with a dustpan and broom.
Step 13: If you want to remove the tile, chip it apart with a hammer and chisel.
The line of holes that you drilled in the tile should be marked with the blade of a chisel.The chisel can be tapped with a hammer until it breaks through the tile.If you want to break all of the damaged tile away from the surface beneath it, you have to tilt the chisel at a 45 degree angle.The wood beneath the tile will not be damaged if you hammer with enough power.Don't damage the adjacent tiles.Throw the tile in the trash after you remove it.
Step 14: The tile has something underneath it that needs to be removed.
The wood under the tile will most likely have been covered with a tough, sticky material.Hold the blade of the chisel at an acute 20-degree angle and slide it along the space where you just pulled the tile out.Wait until you have removed all of the grout.Children and pets can't eat the grout, so throw it away in a trashcan.
Step 15: Purchase a new tile to replace the damaged one.
You should have a spare tile or 2 left over from when the tile floor or counter was installed.Take a picture of the tile you want to replace if that is not the case.You can bring it with you to a tile specialty store.Look for a tile that matches the tiles in your home.The sales staff can help you find a tile that matches your style.
Step 16: The base of the replacement tile should be covered with mortar.
Before you start working with mortar, you need a pair of latex gloves.Purchase a tub of mortar and a knife at a hardware store.Use the blade of the knife to scoop up the mortar and spread it across the floor.The mortar should be about 8 inches thick when fully spread.Don't get mortar on the other tiles.It is hard to remove.
Step 17: Remove the old tile and apply gentle pressure.
Place the tile over the hole that you removed the original tile from.Press down lightly to place the tile in the hole.Excess mortar will come up from beneath the tile if you apply too much pressure.
Step 18: The new tile needs to be applied using a grout float.
A small amount of grout should be spread on the bottom of the float.The tile has been installed.Continue to fill in the small gaps on the sides of the tile until the whole tile is filled in.A large, flat tool with a handle is called a grout float.You can buy one at a hardware store.Make sure to use a color that matches the existing grout on the tiles.
Step 19: Clean the tiles with a damp rag.
If you want to clean the new tile, use a rag or old washcloth.The gaps surrounding the new tile should be left undisturbed.The tile surface will be ready for use once the grout is dry.If you don't clean off the tiles for a while, it will be hard to remove the grout.