How to Fix a Tile in Shower Floors

If a ceramic tile in the floor of your tiled shower is broken, cracked or loose, you need to deal with it right away, because water will work its way through the break and under the other tiles. The good news is you don't have to gut the whole enclosure, as long as the subflooring hasn't been compromised. Individual tiles can be replaced in the same way they were originally laid.

Things You'll Need

• Chisel
• Hammer
• Razor-scraper
• New piece of tile to match the existing tile
• Thinset tile adhesive
• Adhesive trowel
• Powdered grout
• Small bucket
• Sponge
• Vacuum cleaner with hose
• Hair dryer

Instructions

1. Remove the broken tile, chipping it out with your chisel and hammer. Remove all the surrounding grout in the same manner.

2. Remove all mortar or adhesive left on the floor by tapping your razor-scraper along the floor with your hammer, at a sharp angle. Get the floor as smooth and free of debris as possible without gouging the cementboard underlayment.

3. Vacuum the area. If moisture is present, hold a hair dryer to it for five minutes to make sure it's completely dry.

4. Spread your tile adhesive onto the cementboard underlayment with your adhesive trowel, and press your new tile into place. Let it dry for a day.

5. Mix a small batch of powered grout and water in your bucket, getting it to the consistency of thick mud. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Spread it into the seam around the new tile with your grout trowel, squeezing the excess grout off the tile face. Let sit five minutes, then wipe it clean with a wet sponge.

6. Let the grout dry a day, then seal it with your grout sealer. Let it dry another day before using the shower.

Tips & Warnings

• If there's any indication that the tiles around the broken one are starting to come loose, take them out and replace them as with the first one. Now's the time to do it.

• Wear eye protection when chipping out the tile.

References

• Replacing broken ceramic tile