| Replacing Broken Tiles |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-209 |
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Q: I dropped a pot in my kitchen and cracked a tile. How can I replace it without damaging the surrounding tiles? A: (Brad Staggs, Ask DIY Home Repair expert): When just one tile is damaged, you need to isolate it before you remove and replace it. Here's the procedure: Materials: Grout saw or rotary tool with cutting attachment
Safety eyewear if you're using the rotary tool
Hammer
Towel
Wood or cold chisel
Vacuum
New tile
Tile adhesive
Putty knife
Notched trowel
Pre-mixed grout
Grout float
Sponge or towel
- You'll need to further break the damaged tile with a hammer so you can get it out. So the shock waves from the hammering don't damage neighboring tiles, isolate the tile by first removing the grout that surrounds it with a grout saw. You can buy a grout saw for a few bucks at any home supply store. Drag its blade through the grout -- it will take some time to cut all the way through. You could also use a rotary tool with a cutting tip to take out the grout (figure A), but it costs a lot more.
Safety Alert: If you do opt for the rotary tool, make sure to wear safety eyewear. - Once the grout is out, lay a cloth over the tile and use a hammer to break the tile beneath into more manageable pieces (figure B). Remove the tile pieces, wearing gloves if they're sharp.
- Use a wood chisel or some type of cold chisel to lift the old tile adhesive from the floor (figure C). Be careful not to gouge the floor beneath the adhesive.
- Vacuum the debris from the chiseling. If the floor's not completely clean, the new tile won't adhere properly.
- Find a replacement tile, either buying or cutting a new one to fit, or relying on the extras you may have saved when the floor was first installed.
- "Butter" the back of the tile with tile adhesive using a putty knife (figure D). Then use a notched trowel to smooth the adhesive evenly across the back of the tile.
- Place the tile and tap it down firmly with a hammer handle to make sure it's attached to the floor. Let it dry for 24 hours before applying grout.
- Use a grout float to press the grout around the edges of the tile (figure E). Use a sponge or towel to wipe the excess from the top of the tile.
More Questions for Brad: Q: What is the best way to remove candle wax from a wall? A: Use a scraper to remove the big chunks. Then put a towel over the waxy surface and iron the towel with low-heat. The wax should be drawn off the wall and onto the towel. Q: I have a 23-year-old house with soffits above my kitchen cabinets. I would like to remove the soffits and leave the space open. I'm not sure how to proceed. A: The soffits may actually be hiding an exhaust system or pipes or something. So check up in your attic to see how they're framed out. If they are covering only dead space, you can remove them. Q: How do I get windows open that are painted shut? A: The simplest way is probably to score the seam with a utility knife. Or use a heat gun and a putty knife to scrape the paint off. Book: Better Homes And Gardens New Complete Guide To Home Repair And Improvement
by Charles Wing, Benjamin Allen
ISBN: 069620469X
Meredith Books (1997)
1716 Locust St.
Des Moines, IL 50309-0302
Phone: 800-678-8091 or 515-284-3000
Fax: 515-284-3371
Web site: www.meredith.com
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