How to Replace a Damaged Floor TILE / Chipped
In a new bathroom remodel Geoff dropped a tool on a floor tile and chipped it. If it was in my house, and I did it to my own floor, I wouldn't have cared, but on a CLIENTS floor we HAD to make it right.
Transcript:
How to Replace a Damaged Floor Tile - Chipped
Hello, I'm Jeff with Rehab Pros, and we completed a tile installation. However, an accident occurred with one of our tools before we could finish. A tool was dropped, resulting in a chip on the tile. Today, we'll discuss how to address this issue, replace the tile, and seamlessly integrate it with the rest of the installation.
To begin, let's take a look at the damaged tile. As you can see, there's a noticeable chip right here. Our goal is to demonstrate the process of removing the damaged tile, preparing the area, reapplying thinset, setting the new tile in place, and eventually regrouting it.
Before we proceed, I'd like to go over the tools we'll be using for this task. You'll need a hammer, two chisels, a pry bar, a notched trowel (specifically a quarter by 3/8 by quarter size for resetting the thinset), a float, a sponge, a bucket for water, and, of course, the replacement tile.
Let's move on to cutting the replacement tile. I'll use a large speed square to mark the tile for cutting. This two-foot tile requires precise measurements. After cutting, we'll proceed to the installation process.
When applying the thinset, it's important to have an even and smooth field to prevent cracking. We'll use the square end of the trowel to spread the thinset and then use the notched side to create grooves for optimal adhesion. Placing the tile, we'll drop it flat into the area and align it with the existing tiles.
After the tile is set, we'll give it some time to cure. Once the thinset has set, we'll move on to grouting. For this demonstration, I'm using the same grout that was used initially for the floor. We'll pack the grout into the joints using a float, making sure to work from side to side and then diagonally for a clean finish.
Once the grout is in place, we'll clean the excess grout off the tile using a damp sponge. This step helps ensure a smooth and even appearance. Afterwards, we'll use a paper towel to further wipe off any residue from the tile's surface.
To complete the process, we'll come back the next day to remove the remaining haze from the grout lines using cheesecloth. This final step will give the installation a polished and finished look.
And there you have it—a step-by-step guide to addressing a chipped tile and seamlessly integrating a replacement tile into the installation. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Thank you for watching!