Ask the Expert

ANSWER:

First, always think safety when doing any kind of repair work, especially demolition and repairs to ceramic tiles. Wear eye protection. A painter’s canvas can be used to protect walls and glass doors against flying tile projectiles.

Start by placing a damp rag or towel over the damaged tile and then shattering it with a hammer. Remove tile sections with a chisel, and clean out old adhesive with scrapers or a putty knife. Scrape around the edges of the remaining tiles to remove dust and debris that might get in the way of the replacement tile. Shop-Vacs are great for final cleaning.

Use the recommended notched trowel to spread adhesive or mortar on the back of the replacement tile and set it in place. Allow the adhesive time to dry thoroughly, then apply new grout. Grout for floor tiles usually contains sand, whereas wall tiles, polished tiles and smaller grout spacing under ¼”would require unsanded grout. While the grout is drying, wipe the tiles with a slightly damp sponge. Refer to standard tile setting instructions. Matching the new grouts with the old is a snap. Just bring pieces of the old grout into the flooring department of most home centers; they should have grout sample boards you can use for comparison.

Expert's Bio

Robert D. Middleton Jr. has enjoyed over 30 years in the residential and commercial flooring trades. He is proficient and familiar with hardwood installations, both exotic and domestic, border and medallion work, board replacements and repairs, ceramic tiles (mortar and epoxy grout mixes), laminates, carpets, VCT (vinyl composition tiles) and 6’ commercial vinyl floors. Robert is the Technical & Installation Manager at LUMBER LIQUIDATORS, assisting customers, corporate and outside store staff with installation recommendations, specifications and product warranty details via phones and internet. Look for Robert as the In-House Installer at LUMBER LIQUIDATOR’S Flooring 101 site.