How to Replace a Cracked Wall Tile

When you have a cracked wall tile, the only way to truly fix the problem is to replace it. In order to replace a cracked wall tile, you will have to understand the basic process that is involved. Here are the basics of how to replace a cracked wall tile successfully.

Step 1--Locate Replacement Tile

When you need to replace a cracked wall tile, perhaps the most difficult part of the job will be finding a suitable replacement tile. If you have some tile left over from when the job was originally installed, this is going to be your best bet. Check in your attic, garage, or basement to see if you have a partial box of tile left. If you do not have any left over, you should try to return to the location that you originally purchased it from. Tile is often discontinued after a few years which can make it difficult to find an exact match. You may have to spend some time to try and find a tile that is a close match.

Step 2--Prepare the Area

Before starting the tile removal process, you should take some time to try and protect the area around the cracked tile. You do not want to do any further damage to the other tiles on the wall. Use some masking tape to completely surround the cracked tile. This will create a protective barrier around the outside of the tile and will limit the chances of damaging the other tiles.

Step 3--Remove the Grout

In order to successfully remove the cracked wall tile, you will first need to remove the grout surrounding it. This can be done in a number of different ways. If you have a rotary Dremel tool, this will make the process very easy. You simply hold it on the grout line and it will rotate at a high rate of speed and grind the grout out of the line. With this option, you need to be very careful not to crack any of the adjacent wall tiles. If you do not have access to a Dremel tool, you could also potentially scrape out the grout with a putty knife.

Step 4--Take out the Tile

After the grout is out of the joints, you can start to remove the tile. You should be able to take a putty knife and pry the tile off of the wall. In most cases, it will break into several pieces before you get it off of the wall.

Step 5--Clean the Area

Make sure to thoroughly clean the area after you take out the tile. Scrape off any of the adhesive that still remains on the wall.

Step 6--Install Tile

Apply some mastic to the back of the replacement tile with a putty knife. Make sure that it is smooth and level on the back of the tile. Then press the tile into place and hold it there for a few seconds until it sticks.

Step 7--Grout

After the mastic has dried, you can apply the grout. Using a grout float, press the grout into the grout joints. Let the grout dry overnight and then your project should be completed.