Replacing Ceramic Floor Tile

Installing a new tile floor is a great way to update a space.

Replacing ceramic floor tile.

This guide details how to successfully complete this project in 6 easy steps including removing the grout and tile applying new mortar and setting the new tiles. If 1 or more of your floor or counter tiles have cracked whether from regular wear and tear or from having a heavy object dropped on them you don t necessarily need to replace the cracked tile. You can easily replace cracked and broken ceramic and clay tiles if you kept extra tiles and grout mix. Ditto for clay tiles.

Replace broken or missing ceramic tiles to prevent further damage. In some cases the only way to tear out the ceramic tile is with heavy equipment such as a jackhammer or air chisel. Always wear safety glasses when removing ceramic tile. If the old tiles and subfloor are in good shape then you can tile directly over them.

If you have ceramic glazed tile and cracks here is an easy fix. A floor covered with ceramic tile is about as durable and low maintenance a surface as you can get until a cast iron pot slips from your hand or you drop the wrench when tightening that elbow joint under the bathroom sink. Use a ball peen or masonry hammer and cold chisel to tap the pieces free. If not you ll need to either.

Perhaps you have a chipped cracked or broken floor tile that needs replacement well we show you step by step how to remove the old tile thinset and inst. Damaged tiles allow moisture to get under the tile so replace broken ceramic tiles right away. If you find a damaged tile or two in your floor it is much easier to remove and replace them than installing a new tile floor altogether. This time we show you the do s and don ts in floor removal plus learn some important installation tips from the mistakes the last installer made.

If replacing a tile isn t in your budget or if the tile isn t badly damaged you can repair the tile. Or you can pull up the flooring and start over entirely from.