How to Replace a Cracked Floor Tile | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates the correct way to replace a cracked kitchen floor tile.
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Time: 2 days
Cost: $75
Skill Level: Moderate
Tools List for Replacing Cracked Floor Tiles:
- Utility knife []
- Cold chisel []
- Hammer []
- Bucket []
- Notched trowel []
- Level []
- Rubber float []
Shopping List:
- Replacement tile []
- Sponge []
- Acrylic floor adhesive []
- Pre-mixed grout []
Steps:
1. Cut the grout around the damaged tile carefully with a utility knife.
2. Place the cold chisel on the deepest crack in the tile and carefully hit it with the hammer until the cold chisel is underneath the tile. Watch the grout lines around the tile to ensure the grout and surrounding tiles don’t also crack.
3. Slowly pry the tile up with the cold chisel. Once it’s up, remove the rest of the tile with your hands. The tile is very sharp, so be extra cautious while removing the tile.
4. Remove any loose adhesive remaining on the floor. Dampen a sponge and clean the floor.
5. Apply the acrylic floor adhesive generously to the floor. Use the flat side of the notched trowel to spread it out evenly, then use the notched side to groove the adhesive.
6. Place the new tile on the floor. Make sure it is level with the rest of the floor.
7. Clean the excess adhesive off the tile and the surrounding area. Let it dry for a few hours.
8. Grout the tile into the floor using the rubber float. Apply the grout into the cracks diagonally.
9. Use a round handle and drag it along the new grout lines to give it a clean, finished look.
10. Clean off the excess the grout with a damp sponge and let it cure overnight.
Resources:
Finding a matching tile can be difficult. Look on the underside of the tile for clues and bring the tile with you to local hardware stores and tile shops when looking for a match.
Everything Tom used to replace the tile, including the cold chisel, hammer, notched trowel, and grout can be found at home centers.
The acrylic base Tom used in place of thinset is Acrylpro Professional Tile Adhesive, manufactured by Custom Building Products (/). It can be found at most home centers.
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Replace a Cracked Floor Tile | Ask This Old House
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