Learning how to replace ceramic tile is an easy job — it just requires some precision and patience. In a perfect world, ceramic tile would always stay pristine, and just require a good cleaning every once in a while. But the beautiful, earthy nature of ceramic tile adds to its fragility, and often, a dropped glass or other hard object can crack or break the ceramic tile under your feet.
What happens when only one piece of ceramic tile is broken? You don’t have to put up with the eyesore! Here’s how to replace ceramic tile:
Using a tool with a sharp tip, such as a carbide tipped blade, work your way around the damaged tile to remove the grout. Put some elbow grease into it, but at the same time, go slow — if the blade slips, you could damage the surrounding tile. Once the grout is gone, loosen the tile with a chisel. Tap gently on the tile with the chisel and mallet, breaking it up in small pieces as you go. Take your time! Again, getting in a hurry can make your hand slip, and then you’ve got even more work to do.
Using the chisel and mallet, get the tile out of the hole, then scrape away at the glue that was used to put the tile down in the first place. You want to get out as much of it as you can, so the new tile lays level on the same spot.
Clean out the area with a small vacuum, if necessary. Now you’re ready to lay the new tile. Add tile glue to the back of the tile and the floor where it will seat, and then press it down gently into the hole. Let it cure for a few hours, then add the grout around the new tile, making certain to pack it well for a watertight seal.
Let the tile cure for at least 24 hours and voila! Your ceramic tile is replaced, and your floor looks good as new.
