Ceramic tile is always a beautiful addition to your home. There may come a time when they become chipped or cracked, however, or when they need removing and replacing to reach plumbing behind or below them. You can learn to do this yourself with a little effort.

Removing the Old Tile

First, the old tile needs to be removed while making sure not to damage the other tiles in the vicinity. You may find it appropriate to wear gloves and eye protection for this. Try also to cover nearby objects that may be damaged in the process.

First thing to do is remove the old grout around the tile to expose the edges of the tile. You can do this with either a grout saw or an old screwdriver, depending on what you have laying around. Just scrape slowly along the middle of the grout until it eventually wears down. Try to avoid chipping at the grout as much as possible because you risk chipping the nearby tiles.

Now, drill one or more holes in the tile using a carbide-tipped masonry bit.Using a hammer and a small cold chisel, crack the tile between the holes and leverage the tile off. Use the chisel to scrape the edges of the surrounding tiles as well as the surface underneath to remove all of the old grout and adhesive.

Installing the New Tile

It would be great if you had extra tiles of the same design lying around. If you don’t, try matching as close as you can. If it stands out too much consider adding a different color to serve a design purpose. Make sure it is a clean fit, though. Finding a larger tile is acceptable since you can always trim it with a tile cutter.

Make sure the tile is centered and has ample space on all sides for grout.Use a putty knife or a small notched trowel to apply adhesive to the back of the tile and press the tile into place (brothers Habet staff will recommend the right adhesive for your job). Hold it in position with masking tape for 24 hours as it dries, using tile spacers for optimal results.

Now it’s time to grout. You can use a premixed grout that’s designed for repair work if you can find the right color – color choices are limited – or you can use a powdered grout that you mix with water. If the old grout on the surrounding tiles has discolored with age, try feathering the new grout out onto some of the old grout lines for a short distance, gradually blending the new grout into the old for a cleaner look.

If you need help with picking the right products, email us at sales@brothershabet.bz or call us at 224-5423/5427.