Cracked Floor Tile Repair: What You Need to Know

It’s always the accidents at home that are the most difficult to foresee. Perhaps it’s because we assume our homes are the safest place to be — but in reality, accidents can strike at any moment.

The most ironic part is, they always seem to happen just after you’ve completed a beautiful home renovation of some kind. That pristine tile floor you’ve just installed? It’s still prone to chipping and cracks when those unforeseen accidents happen.

This is where it’s handy to know the ins and outs of cracked floor tile repair. If you’re a little wet behind the ears when it comes to DIY, this blog is here to help.

Should You Repair or Replace Cracked Tiles?

It might seem like a total disaster at the time, but luckily, you don’t always have to go all out and replace a cracked tile. Depending on the extent of the crack, it might be easy enough to repair.

But how do you know whether repair or replacement is the ideal choice in this scenario? Here’s what to consider:

• What is the extent of the damage? A small chip is easy to repair, while a long crack across multiple tiles could mean replacement
• Do you have any spare tiles on hand from the original installation job? If so, you could do a replacement job yourself
• What is your DIY knowledge like?

At the end of the day, if you’re just not handy or have a limited amount of DIY knowledge, it’s best not to attempt tile repair or replacement yourself. You might want to stick to the help of a flooring contractor, such as CVM Enterprises Inc.

A Quick Guide on Cracked Floor Tile Repair

However, if you feel like you could tackle a tile repair job on your own — even if it’s more than one tile that needs repair, these tips might help:

• First thing’s first, you need to clean up the area using tile cleaner or dish soap. Clean the tile grout well and let it dry completely
• Next, you’re going to need some clear or white epoxy — mix this up according to the instructions
• Make sure you do not get any of the epoxy on the tile grouting — only apply it to the cracked/chipped area
• For the epoxy application, use a craft stick or toothpick to apply it in thin layers
• After this, you’ll need a paint color that closely matches your tile. Paint over the dried epoxy — use two coats for maximum coverage

Once the paint is dry, you need to let it cure. This might take a few hours or a few days. During this process, block off the specific tile/s you’ve repaired so that no one walks on them.

The last step is to seal everything off with urethane. You’ll need to get your hands on water-based urethane for the best seal. Paint three coats over the paint patch and allow it to dry.

If you need to replace the tile or multiple tiles, you’ll need a few more tools in your repertoire and a bit of skill. You’ll also need spares of the original, as mentioned.

If you feel a little out of your depth with this type of DIY task, there’s no harm in calling in a professional! In many cases, this might save you money and time in the long run.

Home Improvement Knowledge: Yours for the Taking

Cracked floor tile repair is simple enough if you have the right materials and tools for the job, as well as the patience. It’s 100 percent possible to DIY this task, but if you don’t trust yourself with it, always stick to the expertise of a professional!

If home improvement is something you’re passionate about and you want to broaden your DIY knowledge, take some time to explore the rest of this blog.