How to Replace Cracked Tile

You may be replacing a cracked tile, removing an unwanted fixture
from a tiled surface, or installing some beautiful decorative tiles from
Portugal to liven up your kitchen or bathroom. In all cases, the procedure
for replacing a tile is the same.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Grout
• Replacement Tile
• Squeegee
• Tile Adhesive
• Chisel Or Paint Scraper
• Cold Chisel
• Grout Saw
• Hammer
• Stiff Putty Knife
• Tile Adhesive

1. To remove the existing tile, scrape grout out of the joint around the tile with a grout saw (see How to Replace Cracked Tile Grout in a Tub or Shower).

2. Break up the tile with a hammer and cold chisel so you can remove a piece and get under the edge of the remaining pieces (or the adjoining tiles, if you are removing more than one), then pry them up with a stiff putty knife.

3. 

   Remove the tile pieces and use an old chisel, a stiff putty knife or a paint scraper to scrape out the old adhesive (see A) so you have a relatively smooth, level surface for the new tile.

4. 

   Spread the entire back of the replacement tile with a light coat of tile adhesive (see B). Then scrape off the adhesive that's within 1/4 inch (6 mm) of the perimeter so it won't fill the grout joint.

5. Press the tile firmly into place so it's level (flush) with the surrounding tiles. Let the adhesive set overnight or as directed by the manufacturer before grouting.

6. Grout and seal the joints as in How to Replace Cracked Tile Grout in a Tub or Shower, except that if you're dealing with a small area, you can use a fingertip or squeegee to apply the grout. Use sanded grout for floor tiles or tiles with wide joints, and unsanded grout for wall tiles.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear eye protection such as goggles when hammering or removing the damaged tile.
• Avoid hammering too hard or you may damage the substrate, crack the grout or even damage adjoining tiles.

[bigk76]

on 9/29/2009 cool article - i also found a nice video showing how to replace tiles - http://www.mydiytips.com/other.html