Broken tile replacement

Single tiles are fixable

A dropped pan, a settling slab or a loose tile that was never set fully can leave a crack in the middle of an otherwise good floor. You do not need a new floor. A single tile can be removed and replaced, as long as a matching tile can be found. How long the work takes depends on the job, plus cure time; we’ll tell you after seeing photos.

Finding a match

The best match is a leftover box in the garage, which many homes have from the original install. Check there first.

If none is left, take a clear photo with a coin for scale, or a broken piece, to a tile shop. For discontinued tile, sometimes a tile from an inconspicuous spot, such as inside a closet or under an appliance, can be moved to the visible spot and the closet gets the closest available match.

How we replace a tile

1. Grind out the grout around the tile.
2. Break the tile carefully from the center out, protecting neighbors.
3. Scrape old thinset off the floor or wall.
4. Check the substrate for cracks or movement.
5. Back-butter the new tile and set it level with its neighbors.
6. Grout once the thinset cures, then clean and seal.

Why tiles crack

Cracks running across several tiles often follow a crack in the slab underneath. A new tile over the same crack may crack again. Hollow-sounding tiles mean the thinset did not bond well. We tap the tiles around the broken one to see whether others are loose, and tell you if the problem is bigger than one tile.

Wall and backsplash tiles

Wall tiles in showers and backsplashes are often thinner and closer to fixtures. If a cracked tile sits next to a shower valve or an outlet, we work around them carefully. If the wall behind a shower tile is soft, the tile cannot simply be reset; the backing needs repair first.

Grout color and sealing

New grout next to old grout can look slightly different. We match it as closely as we can, and sometimes regrout a small surrounding area for a better blend. See tile regrouting.

Tile in older homes

Older homes often have tile set in a thick mortar bed, which is very strong but harder to cut into. Replacing a tile there takes more care and more time than on newer thinset installs. We look at the edges of the tile to tell which type you have.

Cracks near doors and appliances

Tiles near door thresholds and under appliances crack most, from dropped items and from appliances sliding. When we replace tiles under a fridge or a washer, we slide them out on boards or a moving pad to protect the new tile.

Countertop tile

Older kitchens may have tile counters with a wood or tile edge. A cracked counter tile can be replaced like a floor tile, but the grout lines are narrower and the edge pieces may be special shapes that are hard to find.

When to retile

If many tiles are cracked or loose, or the tile is discontinued and no match exists, retiling the area may be better. Floor retiling across a whole room is outside our scope.

Getting ready for the visit

Clear the area around the broken tile, move rugs and furniture, and set out any spare tiles you have found. If the tile is under an appliance, we can pull it out, but having the space clear speeds things up. Pets should stay out of the room until the thinset and grout cure.

Dust and noise

Grinding grout and breaking a tile is loud for a short time and makes some dust. We keep a vacuum running at the tool and cover nearby surfaces. Grout may go in on the same visit with a fast-setting thinset, or on a second visit. How long it takes depends on the job; we’ll tell you after seeing photos.

A small stock of spares

After the job, keep a few spare tiles and a note of the grout color in the garage. The next repair is easier.

Hairline cracks in glaze

Fine crazing in the glaze is not the same as a cracked tile. It is cosmetic and often left alone.

Grout haze

A light film on the tile after grouting is normal and wipes off over the next day or two with a dry cloth. Do not mop the new joint for the cure time on the bag.

Outdoor tile

Patio and entry tiles crack from roots, from soil movement and from heavy pots. Outdoor tile needs a thinset and grout rated for exterior use. We replace single outdoor tiles the same way as indoor ones, and check that water drains away from the area so the new tile does not loosen in the next rain.

Saltillo and terra cotta

Handmade clay tiles vary piece to piece. A match does not need to be exact, since no two tiles were identical to begin with. These tiles need sealing after replacement.

Photo checklist