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Repairing tile is a cumbersome job that can be done by the average
homeowner. But it is
a messy, dirty job. Professionals can do your repairs in a quick and
timely manner, and it will save you the pain of doing it yourself.
In most cases, damaged tiles should be replaced. Hopefully you saved
some extra tiles from the original installation to make repairs. If you
have a common tile, it may possible to buy new pieces a few years after
installation, though there may be some slight color variations.
Professional tile and grout repair companies specialize in repairing
tiles and can make new grout match the old. If you do not have spare
tiles, it might be possible to lay out a pattern combining some new
tiles with the old tiles to look nicely integrated.
Here are some common types of damage:
 1.
Chipped or cracked tiles are often created from impact and should be
replaced.
2. Scratched tiles should usually be replaced. Most tiles are glazed
with glass, which gives them their waterproof qualities. Damage to the
glaze puts the tile structure at risk. Deeper scratches can also be a
cosmetic problem. Often a tile's coloration is on the surface. Deeper
scratches will uncover the white ceramic underneath.
3. Tile discoloration is very rare. Usually a tile's color is set during
the firing process. If for some reason discoloration happens,
replacement is the only option.
 4.
The best way to repair loose floor tiles is to remove and replace them
with new tiles. However, when replacement tiles are not available, it is
possible to bond loose tiles by injecting a liquid bonding material into
strategically drilled holes in the grout lines between tiles. The
activated bonding material is allowed to cure and the holes re-grouted.
5. Worn tiles need to be replaced. The erosion created by normal wear
and tear puts the tile at structural risk. |
