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This article was co-authored by Art Fricke. Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 353,660 times.
Ceramic shower tiles may be damaged or broken over a period of years. This may include damage to the grout joints, or even individual tiles may crack, causing water to leak into the walls or floor space, where it can damage subfloors or lower level spaces.[1] This guide will help you to repair these problems.
Steps
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Remove damaged tiles together with tile adhesive (cement under tiles).[2] You may have to break the tile into small pieces and remove it.[3] The biggest problem with this is that you can easily break some of the adjoining tiles.- Using a grout saw or other tool, remove the grout from the tile joints surrounding the damaged tile(s). Be careful not to cut through any membrane waterproofing underneath or behind the tiles.
- Using a masonry bit, drill a hole through the middle of the tiles you need to remove. For large tiles you may need to drill several holes so the tile can be broken up to remove it.[4] Again, be careful not to drill too deep, or the substrate and/or any waterproofing membrane may be damaged.
- Use a chisel to break out the tile(s) in small pieces.
- Remove the thinset mortar or tile adhesive behind the tile you have removed. You will need a smooth, clean surface to install the replacement tile(s) on.
- Using a grout saw or other tool, remove the grout from the tile joints surrounding the damaged tile(s). Be careful not to cut through any membrane waterproofing underneath or behind the tiles.
Make sure any waterproof membrane is undamaged before proceeding. You may have to repair rubber or vinyl membranes to assure there isn't a leak underneath the tiles you are replacing, and the methods for doing so vary depending on the membrane used.Advertisement
Get some ceramic tile adhesive, or thinset tile cement and apply it to the substrate with a notched trowel.[5] For small repairs, you may have to use a putty knife to apply this material.
Replace the tile by pushing it into the adhesive or thinset firmly so it is bedded in the material. Make sure the joints around the tile are uniform, and the surface of the newly installed tile(s) are flush with the surrounding tiles.
Use a good, waterproof bathroom sealant or caulk to repair any joints that do not lend themselves to grouting, such as metal trim or fixture penetrations.[8]
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- QuestionWhat is the best adhesive for shower tiles?
Art FrickeArt Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.
Home Renovation & Repair SpecialistThinset would be appropriate, as it is a concrete mix that is ideal for putting tile onto a substrate in a wet environment.
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Tips
- Find extra replacement tiles before beginning this project. Matching colors and sizes of tiles may be difficult.[9]Thanks
- Read and follow manufacturer's directions on the materials you purchase to do these repairs.Thanks
- Avoid damaging adjacent tiles by breaking the tiles you intend to replace into small pieces with a hammer and chisel or a steel punch.Thanks
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Warnings
- Wear leather work gloves when handling broken ceramic tiles.Thanks
- If there is not any membrane under old tiles, it is a good idea is to paint surface with some fluid applied membrane.Thanks
- Wear safety glasses when breaking out damaged ceramic tiles.Thanks
- When you break a broken tile you can damage tiles around. Take special care to protect other tiles in shower and take care for your tools. Heavy hammer in the shower can easy break some more tile. Even very experienced workers can easy damage some of the neighboring tiles, take it slowly when you remove broken tiles.Thanks
- If there is membrane under old tiles do not break it( do not make any holes in it)Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Replacement tiles
- Grout
- Tile adhesive
- Hand tools
References
- ↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.
- ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-remove-and-replace-damaged-bathroom-tub-surround-tile/
- ↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-replace-broken-tile
- ↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.
- ↑ https://www.tilecleaning.org/replacebrokenshowertile.htm
- ↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.
- ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/bathroom/remodeling/how-to-re-caulk-a-shower-or-bathtub/
- ↑ https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/replace-a-broken-ceramic-tile
About This Article
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
This article was co-authored by Art Fricke. Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile. This article has been viewed 353,660 times.
Co-authors: 16
Updated: April 11, 2024
Views: 353,660
Categories: Tiles and Tiling
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 353,660 times.
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