How to Repair Loose Ceramic Floor Tile
Over time, tiles can loosen on even the best-laid ceramic floor. Moisture can seep under the tile from cracked grout, or natural flexing of the subfloor structure can undermine the tile. Repairing the tile prevents breakage and keeps the problem from spreading to a larger area. The job is fairly simple for do-it-yourselfers. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Awl or pick
- Scraper
- Utility knife
- Vacuum
- Acrylic tile adhesive
- Notched tile trowel
- Clean rag
- Level or straight edge
- Tile grout
- Grout trowel
Instructions
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1
Remove the grout cement from the perimeter of the loose ceramic tile piece, using an awl or pick.
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2
Lift the loose tile out of its place and remove all grout pieces or particles from the back and edges of the tile piece, using a flat scraper or utility knife.
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3
Scrape the old tile adhesive or thinset mortar from the floor surface beneath the loose tile with the scraper or utility knife, then vacuum the loose mortar and other debris from the hole.
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4
Spread acrylic tile adhesive over the back of the ceramic tile with a notched tile trowel, then press the tile into place on the floor. Use a clean, damp rag to remove any adhesive squeezed from beneath the tile piece into the grout gap as it was pressed into place. Use the edge of a level or straight edge to ensure the replaced tile is flush with the adjacent tile’s top surface. Allow the tile piece to sit undisturbed for 24 hours so the acrylic adhesive cures.
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5
Mix a small quantity of tile grout to a stiff consistency and apply it to the grout joint around the replaced tile, using a grout trowel. Wipe the excess grout from the tile with a clean, damp rag and allow the grout to cure at least 24 hours before walking on the tile.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Martin Poole/Lifesize/Getty Images
