Don’t let one cracked tile ruin your home’s appearance
If your beloved entryway floor or walk-in shower has a damaged tile, you may be wondering how to fix cracked tile, and whether it’s a DIY-able project. Tiles can sometimes crack when the subfloor settles, but the culprit is usually force from a heavy object. The good news is that you can often repair cracked tile yourself using epoxy—and if that’s not an option, you can remove and replace the cracked tile. Here’s how to fix cracked tile and get your floors looking beautiful again.
There are a few things that cause tile to crack. A major factor is trauma—be it by the blunt force of a falling object or the habitual use of heavy items like stand-alone freezers or washing machines. Other reasons include an old concrete substrate, which cracks as it ages and can subsequently crack your tile. Your floor joints, particularly improperly spaced joints or tiling over control joints, could cause cracks, too.
There are two main methods of cracked tile repair: use epoxy to fill hairline cracks or replace the damaged tile altogether. The same techniques are used for tile chip repair, so you can repair cracks and chips simultaneously. Remember that epoxy will still show cosmetic damage unless you paint over it, but painting isn’t a perfect solution.
Epoxy is the choice adhesive of flooring professionals, and it’s also accessible to DIYers. It is a good option for minor and moderate cracks and doesn’t require extensive tools or DIY skills.
You don’t want to seal dust and grime into your tile, so clean it before applying epoxy. Clean using a paper towel soaked with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub away grime. Make sure the tile is dry before proceeding.
For this repair, you should use a two-part clear epoxy that combines resin and hardener. This will act as an adhesive paste and hold the broken tile together. You can purchase a two-part clear epoxy kit at any hardware store.
Put on gloves and a face mask, open a window, and then mix the epoxy on a sheet of cardboard—you can use an old box you have lying around. Make sure it’s thoroughly mixed so the chemicals form an adhesive.
Using a toothpick or popsicle stick, apply the mixed epoxy to your cracked tile. Create a thin, even coat—filling the crack and extending the layer at least a half centimeter on either side. Do not get epoxy on the grout.
The epoxy should cure within 10 or 15 minutes. Tap the epoxy using a gloved hand to ensure it is fully cured. It should be firm and dry—not sticky.
Use sandpaper to gently sand the epoxy down so it is flush with the tile. This also helps create a rougher surface for the paint to adhere. You can skip this step if you don’t plan to paint your tile. Sanding a glossy tile can scratch it and make cosmetic damage more noticeable.
Carefully paint the crack using an oil-based paint that matches the color of your tile. For a glossy look, automotive paint is a great option. Keep in mind this won’t eliminate cosmetic damage, but it can mask it better than just leaving the clear epoxy alone. If you don’t mind the look of the crack, you can just skip this step.
If your tile is severely cracked or missing pieces entirely, it should be replaced. Replacing the tile is a more involved process than applying epoxy, but doesn’t require a flooring professional in most cases.
In some cases, finding a matching replacement tile may be easy, especially if your tile is still in stock near you. Take a piece of the cracked tile with you to the tile store to help find a match. If you simply can’t find a good match, consider a similar tile in a different color and replace other tiles to create a new pattern on your floor instead.
First, use a grout saw to remove the existing grout encasing the damaged tile. This step will help protect adjacent tiles from cracking during the process. Once the tile is loose, use a hammer and chisel or putty knife to remove the broken tile altogether. You might want to break the tile from the middle to loosen it for easy removal.
Vacuum up any debris leftover from removing the broken tile and scrape away any excess adhesive. Then, use a sponge to wipe the floor clean.
Mix your thin-set mortar per the label instructions. Apply a generous amount of this adhesive to the now-clean area using the flat side of your notched trowel. Then, create grooves in the thin-set mortar using the notched side of the trowel. This step allows the tile to attach.
Place the tile directly where you’d like it, keeping it flat and parallel to the floor as you lower it. When the edges are lined up how you want them, firmly and evenly press the tile into place.
You have time to get it right, as the thin-set takes a bit to set fully. But, once you have it in place, don’t continue to move it, as it could turn out uneven.
Leave the tile and grout to dry per the instructions on the thin-set. Usually, it takes 24 hours to fully cure unless you have a quick-dry thin-set mortar.
Stir your grout per the instructions on the label. Using your grout float, work the grout into the seam around the new tile diagonally. By moving diagonally, you can avoid pulling grout out of the seam as you work.
Use a damp sponge to wipe away any excess grout on the tile. If you have time, wait a few minutes before doing this step to ensure the grout is somewhat set in the seam so you don’t pull it out with the sponge.
Let the grout cure overnight, blocking off the area from pets, kids, or any other individuals in your home that might mistakenly step on the tile.
For most homeowners, repairing a cracked tile is significantly less expensive than replacing tiles. For example, the cost to fix broken bathroom tiles for most homeowners is around $150—but it can cost up to $2,000 if you need to replace all the tiles in your shower.
That said, repairs are really only an option for small cracks or chips. Epoxy will show cosmetic damage, so it’s not a long-term solution as tiles wear down. You might be okay with a single visible crack in a corner, but it’s less appealing when cracks cover the entire floor.
Tile installation typically costs between $400 to $6,500 per project for a professional job. Generally, you’re looking at $5 to $45 per square foot, though installation can cost more for intricate patterns or small mosaic tiles. If you’re replacing tile, expect to spend another $2 to $7 per square foot to remove the old tile before the installation begins.
Repairing cracked tile is a relatively straightforward DIY if you’re using epoxy—even beginners can try it. The worst that can happen is you’ll lose out on the cost of materials and need to bring in a pro to replace the tile, which you need to replace anyway. Epoxy is just a temporary solution, and it will probably crack again. Nonetheless, these tips can help make sure everything goes smoothly:
Mixing epoxy can be an unappealing prospect, especially if the room isn't well-ventilated. It smells terrible and you may not need all of the mixed product.
If you don't want to go to the trouble of buying and mixing epoxy because you only see a few hairline cracks, nail polish works surprisingly well on tile. Find the best color match possible and paint over the crack with it.
Buying individual epoxy tubes and other flooring supplies gets expensive, not to mention time-consuming trying to find each item online or at the hardware store. Tile repair kits are designed for small jobs like one or two cracked tiles rather than entire rooms. The kits come with everything you need and often cost less than buying the supplies individually.
Use painter’s tape, cardboard, or a plastic sheet protector to protect grout lines if you're applying epoxy near them. This ensures a neat appearance with less mess to clean after it dries.
If you're replacing a cracked tile entirely, the old grout also needs to be replaced. New grout won't adhere to the old grout and will cause the new tile to loosen easily. Use a chisel to remove old grout after extracting the cracked tile, especially in areas that are harder to reach.
If the local climate and humidity frequently cause your tiles to tent or crack, silicone grout could be a major game-changer. Silicone-based grout is incredibly flexible and adaptable to different temperatures. It expands and contracts as tiles heat and cool throughout extreme temperature shifts, preventing many flooring problems before they can arise.
Replacing a single tile is a fairly approachable DIY project, as long as you’re patient. Sometimes, the hardest part is finding a matching tile and grout to give your flooring a seamless finish. You may need to deep clean the surrounding grout to match the fresh grout since floor tile grout is prone to stains and discoloration.
That said, even if installed incorrectly, you might just be giving yourself more work later. To avoid a headache and ensure a flawless finish, hire a tile repair contractor near you instead. You’ll likely pay an hourly rate for repair, usually between $60 to $120 per hour.
No, water itself won’t damage your tile—however, when water goes past your grout and tile and seeps into the subsurface or subflooring, it can cause a problem. If this happens and you haven’t waterproofed the area, the tile could start pulling away from the subsurface. Loose tile is more prone to cracking and chipping.
Yes, cracked tile does tend to get worse over time. A hairline crack could eventually cause a tile to shatter, especially if you drop something heavy on it or it’s beneath a large appliance like a washing machine. Cracked tile is less durable than tile that hasn't been compromised.
If your cracked tile is in a no-traffic or low-traffic area, a hairline crack or tiny chip may stay put for years without becoming a serious problem.
Epoxy filler is the go-to method for repairing minor cracks in tile. This solution is ideal for hairline cracks and helps stave off further damage. With that in mind, it’s only temporary. Your crack will likely reappear, particularly if it’s on the larger side. In that case, you should probably just replace the cracked tile.
Yes, cracked tiles allow water to seep through the substrate or subfloor, leading to mold and mildew growth. It can also cause severe structural damage. At the very least, water damage can cause your tile to lift from the substrate, meaning one cracked tile can lead to several cracked tiles. It’s a good idea to waterproof tile in areas with direct water exposure or lots of moisture.
