Tile Repair Floor Wall Countertop Information

Does Your Tile Look Sad

How Do I Put In The Grout

You Could be doing it for the first time with new tile and grout like above.

Or you could have old worn out tile or a few cracked & missing.

When you look at your tile what do you see? Do you see a nice tile floor, wall in your bathroom or kitchen countertop that has been there for years with no problems and the grout is the way it was the day it was put in? Or is it starting to look worn and the grout needs cleaning. Is it so bad the grout is cracked or missing?

Well lets see if we can get that look back with a lot less put out of your pocket than the first time. First if you have a floor, wall or countertop inside your home it is pretty much the same application to repair tile and grout in all cases. If it is outside it is a little different but only some of the product types you would use.

For Cracked or missing Tiles

First you will want to use masking tape or painters tape around any tiles that you intend to take out. By doing this you are protecting the surrounding tile from chipping. Then scrape out any cracked grout with a grout removal tool or screw driver that will fit in the grout line. Scrape down grout about 1/8 of an inch if you are just re-grouting.

If you are going to take that tile or a row of tiles out then you will want to remove as much as possible without scratching the surrounding tile. Take your time it will be worth the effort. Use a vacuum every so often to get the loose stuff up. Be careful with any tile edges because they are as sharp as cut or broken glass.

Is it out dated and missing grout?

Here are some ideas!

Cut out a row or two and add a deco row of new tiles!

When the grout is gone

When you have most of the grout out take a hammer and masonry chisel and tap the tile right in the middle until it breaks or at least cracks. Then tap the chisel on the crack line and it should be able to lift out. Just pop out the rest of the tile by sliding the chisel under the pieces a little and lift them out as well. Now you will need to scrape up the adhesive or thin set mortar which looks like cement. You want to scrape up enough so that your new tile will fit in the hole and be just about 1/8 of an inch low for adhesive or mortar to adhere them. You will also want to knock off any grout that is still along the edges. It generally comes loose but if it doesn't, just take a utility knife and score it along the edge and pop it off. Vacuum well before you apply some pre-mixed thin set on the back of your tile. This is called back buttering. Put the tile in the hole and take a short piece of wood that you can lay across the tile but will span across to the other tiles on either side. Push the board down until it is on top of the other tiles and let that dry over night. I sometimes put down an X of tape over the fixed tile to mark it so people don't forget and move it or set something on it but also attach it to the other ones on each side so when it dries it stays in place.

Don't like the over all look any more ?

I found a few tiles I really like that would go with my kitchen or bath. I want to change the color scheme.

This Kitchen above had that problem and the old tiles were cut out but could be broken out also. The owner purchased some tiles that she liked and would go with the new colors of her kitchen design. The new ones were installed with thin set mortar and then grouted to match the old grout which was in good condition.

You could also re-grout at the same time or dye your grout a different color!

Now that your tile or tiles are in, it 's time to fill the edges with grout. If the area around your new tile is 1/8 inch or less you will want to get Non Sanded Grout and if bigger than that you will want to use sanded grout. The sand just provides the strength for the wider grout joints.

Checkerboard Tile With a Rolled Edge

Tools I will Need for Grouting

A good rubber grout float but rubber gloves will do the job if it is a small one. Small plastic or rubber container to mix up a small amount of grout. A sponge, bucket of clean cool water. Mix a 1/2 cup of grout powder for a couple of tile with a little water until it is the consistency of tooth paste. push it in to the joints and wipe diagonally across the tile until there is no more voids. Let it stiffen up for about five to ten minutes. Then take your sponge and wet it and then squeeze out as much of the water as possible. You just want it damp. Again wipe gently diagonally across the tile and grout so that you remove the grout off the tile if any is still on it but don't wipe the grout out of the joints. Some will come out but don't allow it to be more than just below the surface. Now let it firm up some. On the package it will say 15 minutes or so. I always leave a little clump on an old chunk of tile to test it every so often. Make sure it doesn't set up hard before you start cleaning with a damp sponge until all the tile look clean on top and the grout is at the right height as the rest of your grout. after an hour take a soft white cloth or cheese cloth and wipe the haze off the surface of the tile. Let it dry up over night. It might haze up again but that can be wiped off easily the next day. Now keep this area dry for 72 hours and then apply a good grout or grout & stone sealer. Follow the label on the bottle and you are good to go!

What about natural stone & Saltios

Only difference with natural stone and saltio clay tiles is that you must put a good natural sealer product on them before you install them and after you are done. I generally put 3 coats of sealer on Saltios before I use them and let it dry an hour between coats. When I have finished I put 3 more coats of high Gloss on the whole floor or wall when finished and it really makes it pop!

Tiling Out Side

When you have the same above conditions out side on a patio, steps, or pathways it is pretty much the same but you will need to use fortified mortars and mix them with liquid acrylic latex ad mix and not as much water. This sometimes is to much for the do it yourselfer. But if you want to try it or if only a few tiles to fix or replace it might not be to bad! just follow the bag directions for exterior uses. Use the powder form of modified thin set. if you are in very cold conditions you will want to use an epoxy to adhere you stone or tile to the setting bed or it will let loose in no time. You will also want to use ad mix to mix your grout. Remember these product mixed with these other products will set up a lot faster so be quick and keep it mixed up well but don't over mix. That will speed up the setting time even faster.

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