How to Fix Loose Floor Tiles in Your Home
Reattach a wobbly tile fast with these two methods
Home maintenance can come with lots of surprises, and loose floor tiles are one of them. Tiles are secured with mortar and grout, and during installation, it’s hard to imagine them ever budging. But factors like expansion and contraction and issues with the adhesive can cause them to loosen over time. Fortunately, loose tile repair can be a relatively simple DIY job. Here’s how to fix loose floor tiles so your tiled floor lasts for years to come.
Why Do I Have Loose Floor Tiles?
Loose floor tiles are not that uncommon. Though tile flooring is highly durable and often used in high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways, it’s not indestructible. And there are a number of factors that can loosen your tiles or cause them to crack over time.
Expansion and Contraction
Many building materials expand in the heat and contract in the cold. This expansion and contraction typically goes unnoticed, but the movement can cause cracks in the mortar under the tiles over time, eventually allowing the tile to become loose.
Adhesive Issues
If the adhesive used to adhere the tiles to the floor was low-quality, it may deteriorate quickly, causing the tiles to become loose. Mishandling the adhesive during installation can also lead to loose tiles. For example, if there wasn’t enough adhesive used or if the installation method was spot bonding—placing a spot of adhesive at each corner rather than applying a coat of adhesive across the entire back of the tile—the tiles can eventually come loose.
Natural Settling or Foundation Issues
Over time, homes naturally shift and settle as building materials, as well as the ground itself, expand and contract. Loose tiles can be the result of natural settling. In some cases, especially if there are large areas of loose or cracked tiles, it could indicate a foundation issue. If you suspect a foundation issue, it’s best to call in a contractor to check it out.
How to Fix Loose Floor Tiles
If you’re not sure you have the skills needed to tackle loose tile repair, contact a tile repair professional near you. But in general, fixing floor tiles can be a quick DIY job; the process is similar to how to fix a cracked tile.
1. Remove the Grout
Start by removing the grout. There are two different grout removal methods to choose from, depending on the width of the grout lines and the method you’ll use to fix the loose tile. If you need to remove a lot of grout, softening the grout first will make removal easier. After removing the grout, thoroughly clean the area to remove any debris.
Use a Drill Bit
If you have wider grout lines that will accommodate a drill bit without damaging the tile, you can drill a few holes in the grout around the loose tile. This is a good method to use if you plan to keep the loose tile in place and add new tile adhesive underneath it. Once the holes are drilled, you can insert a long application tip into the holes and slowly squeeze glue that will spread to the underside of the tile.
Use a Utility Knife
For tiles with thin grout lines, you can remove the grout by scraping it away with a utility knife or razor blade. This method works for both adding adhesive to the underside of the tile and loosening a tile enough to remove it from the floor.
2. Choose Your Reattachment Method
Reattach the Existing Tile
Once the grout is removed, use a tile adhesive with a long application tip to squeeze the adhesive under the loose tile.
Press down firmly to ensure adhesion and make it level with surrounding tiles.
Put a heavy object, like a cinder block, on the tile to make sure it adheres well. Put a towel between the tile and heavy object to protect the tile.
Remove and Replace the Loose Tile Entirely
Once the grout is removed, try to pry up the tile in one or two large pieces. Depending on how much adhesive is still attached and how strong it is, this may prove difficult, and you’ll need to break the tile into smaller pieces and chip them out.
If there is still adhesive on the underlayment, you’ll need to either remove it or grind it down to ensure a level surface for the new tile. You should also make sure that the tile will rest level with the existing tiles, and to do this, the old adhesive should be removed.
Sweep and clean the area thoroughly.
Spread new adhesive over the underlayment. Depending on the type of tile, you may want to apply a thin coat of adhesive to the back of the tile, too.
Lay the new tile, pressing firmly so it becomes level with the surrounding tiles.
3. Regrout
After 48 hours, you can regrout the tiles. Make sure to remove excess grout and check for grout haze after a few days, so you can clean it quickly.
Can I Fix Loose Floor Tiles Without Removing Them?
It is possible to fix loose floor tiles without removing them, providing they aren't cracked.
Drill a hole in the grout next to the loose tile. The hole should be deep enough for adhesive to seep under the tile. Squeeze the adhesive or epoxy into the hole and place a heavy object on top, wiping off any excess with a damp towel.
Leave the heavy object in place for at least 24 hours. After removing it, put new grout over the hole you drilled. Allow the grout to dry for another two to three days.
Tips for Fixing Loose Tiles
This advice for fixing floor tiles will help keep them in place for as long as possible and save you money on kitchen or bathroom tile repair costs.
Clean the area you’re working on to ensure the best adhesion possible. Grime, bacteria, and other “floor spice” will make it difficult for flooring adhesive to stick. You don’t need to deep-clean the area or use specific cleaners. A thorough wipe-down will do.
Choose a high-quality adhesive. Budget-brand mortar will have worse water and chemical resistance. It also won't create as strong of a bond, allowing your tile to loosen again in no time. Look for an adhesive that works with your local climate and the particular room where the loose tiles are. It should be strong but also flexible.
Check that the repaired tile is level with the surrounding tiles. If the tile is too low, it creates an uneven appearance. If it’s too high, it could be a tripping hazard, so you could accidentally dislodge it and stub your toe at the same time—not fun.
Place a heavy object on the tile while it dries. This ensures the tile won’t move and spread wet grout where it shouldn’t be.
Allow the adhesive to dry for the recommended amount of time before regrouting. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can take a sample of your existing grout to your local hardware store and ask them to match the color. For the most accurate results, choose a sample that hasn’t been discolored from wear and tear. You can also try to clean the floor tile grout to get it closer to its original color.
It’s very likely that your new grout won’t match your old grout perfectly. But if the difference is very noticeable, you can fix it with a grout colorant. All you have to do is match the colorant to the old grout and then paint it onto the new grout, making sure to wipe any excess off of the tiles quickly.