Porcelain tiles are considered more durable than ceramic tiles, making them ideal for floors, as well as walls. But, even the most durable tiles are vulnerable to damage. In some cases, you can fix a chip in a tile using a porcelain repair kit. Cracked tiles should be replaced to prevent tripping or prevent water from undermining a mortar bed. Obtain a tile the same size as the damaged tile and grab a few supplies to fix a porcelain tile.
Removing a Tile
Apply strips of masking tape at the outer edges of the tile, with the outer edges of the strips aligned at the edges instead of covering the grout joints. Apply additional strips to fully cover the surface of the tile.
Put on safety glasses and work gloves. Break the tile into pieces using a cold chisel and hammer. To do this, start at the middle of the tile and score lines in the tape toward the edges each way, using short strokes with the hammer to strike the outer end of the chisel. Continue to follow the scored lines to break the tile into pieces.
Pull off the strips of masking tape and the attached pieces of tile, and discard them. Remove any small pieces of tile that remain adhered to the mortar bed, using the chisel and hammer.
Chip away any grout that remains at the edges of the surrounding tiles, taking care not to chip the edges of the surrounding tiles. Chip off 1/8 inch of the exposed mortar bed where the tile was removed. Clean up debris and dust with a vacuum and vacuum hose.
Installing a New Tile
Mix a batch of thinset mortar in a plastic bucket, using a plastic putty knife. To do this, add a small amount of water in the bucket and add the thinset in small mounts, mixing as you go. Add mortar until the batch is medium consistency, similar to mashed potatoes.
Moisten the chipped mortar bed where the new tile installs with a damp sponge. To do this, move the sponge back and forth above the mortar and wring out water. Using the putty knife, apply a uniform 1/4-inch-thick layer of thin-set on the back of the new tile.
Place the tile into place face up and align the spaces at the outer edges uniformly at the edges of the surrounding tiles. Press down on the edges of the new tile, as necessary, so the surface is even with the surfaces of the surrounding tiles.
Remove any thinset that oozed up at the spaced between the tiles, using the damp sponge. Discard any remaining thinset and thoroughly clean the bucket and sponge with water. Allow the thinset to cure for two hours.
Remove any dried thinset from the tile and surrounding tiles, using the damp sponge. Mix a batch of tile grout to medium consistency in the bucket. Fill the spaces between the new tile and surrounding tiles with grout, using the putty knife.
Wring out the sponge and lightly wipe the grout joints to a uniform appearance. Clean the sponge thoroughly and allow the grout to dry for two hours. Remove any dried grout at the tiles with the damp sponge. Dry the tiles with a clean rag.
Things You Will Need
- Masking tape
- Safety glasses
- Work gloves
- Cold chisel
- Vacuum and vacuum hose
- Plastic bucket
- Thinset mortar
- Plastic putty knife
- Tile grout
- Clean rag
- Grout sealer prevents discoloration and stains. Allow the grout to dry overnight and apply the sealer with a small paintbrush.
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