Tile Floor Replacement vs. Tile Floor Repair

Tile is a super popular flooring material thanks to its ability to stand up to everything from dinner party crowds to splashes from late-night bubble baths. However, as with every component in a home, tile floors do have a life expectancy and will eventually wear down. So, how do you know whether tile floor replacement versus tile floor repair is the right choice? Our advice will lead you toward the right answer for your space. 

Should I Repair or Replace My Floor Tile?

So, should tile floor replacement or repair be in the cards for you? If you love the look of your existing floor and only notice a few chips or cracks, a repair is a great option. It will save you time and money and hopefully allow for many more years of enjoyment.

But if your floor is suffering from large cracks, frequently loose tiles, or potential subfloor water damage, it may be time to replace it. While a new floor installation is a large project, the good news is that it’s an investment made to last.

What Type of Tile Damage Do You Have? 

For most homeowners, tile floor installation costs $800 to $3,000, so it’s an investment you want to last as long as possible. Unfortunately, just like with any flooring, daily wear and tear can cause some damage. The type of damage (and the severity) will help you choose whether it’s worth repairing or replacing your tile floor.

Cracked Tile

Many homeowners choose to repair cracked tile. You can usually fix a cracked tile by filling small or hairline cracks with clear epoxy. Though the crack will still be visible, the epoxy will seal the tile and help prevent further damage. If you have a more significant crack, you may need to replace the individual tile and the surrounding grout. 

When to repair: Your floor has hairline cracks you can fill with epoxy 

When to replace: If you don’t like the look of epoxy-based repairs, you can replace a single cracked tile—but if your floor has several cracked tiles, is nearing the end of its lifespan, or you cannot find a matching (or similar enough) replacement, you may want to replace the entire floor.

Chipped Tile

Similar to cracked tile, you can use epoxy to repair minor chips. Just fill the chip with liquid epoxy, sand the epoxied area so it’s flush with the tile, and paint over the tile to cover the cosmetic damage. Your hardware store may also sell a tile repair kit, but without painting, the damage will be visible after the repair. 

When to repair: Your tile floor has a minor chip you can fill with epoxy. 

When to replace: You can replace individual tiles if you don’t like the look of epoxy-based repairs. Replace your floor if it has several chipped tiles, the tile is nearing the end of its lifespan, or you cannot find a matching (or similar enough) replacement.

Loose Tiles & Grout Problems

You could have loose tile for several reasons. Most of the time, it points to grout problems—and cracked or crumbling grout is a major red flag. Other times, it results from structural movement, moisture under the tiles, or poor workmanship, like using the incorrect adhesive. A floor tile installer near you should be able to diagnose the problem.

If your tile is intact and it’s a grout issue, you can typically just regrout the tile floor—though, for smaller areas, like a shower, this may cost more than retiling. If your contractor used the wrong adhesive, you might be able to lift the tile, adhere it correctly, then regrout. In other cases, like structural movement and water damage, you may need to replace the damaged components, be it the substrate, joists, or something else.

When to repair: Repair grout-related issues by regrouting your flooring where it’s cost-effective.

When to replace: Repair significant issues (like structural or water damage) by removing and replacing the tiling flooring. 

Tile Tenting

Tile tenting usually occurs because of thermal expansion. The tile heats up and expands quickly, while the substrate stays cooler and expands much slower. This causes the tile to lift from the substrate and bow out like a tent.

If you only have a small section of tented tile, you can typically repair it. This requires you to release the pressure between the tiles, put them back into place with adhesive, and replace the surrounding grout. A flexible, silicone-based grout can help prevent tenting in the future.

When to repair: Tile floor repairs are most effective when only a small section is tented.

When to replace: If you have significant tenting and other issues like damaged tiles.

Pros and Cons of Floor Tile Repair

If you love your existing tiles and just need to fix a crack or two, tile repair is a smart option that can save you time and money. But if you don’t have extra tiles stashed in storage or your tiles are in bad shape, repairing may not be right for you. Consider these pros and cons when deciding whether or not to repair your tile floors.

Pros

If you only have a few minor issues with your floor tiles, repairing them makes the most sense.

It’s the Least Expensive Option

Repairs, even several tiles at a time, will likely cost much less than a replacement. The prices for materials, plus some epoxy or grout and maybe a new chisel, should be at most $50. 

In contrast, new tile installation costs $5 to $15 per square foot for the labor alone—that’s not even including the tile cost. All in all, the average homeowner spends $2,400 to tile a bathroom floor.

It’s a Faster Fix

If you are moderately handy, tile fixes can often be a DIY task that only requires a few hours and tools. After cleaning the tile, you can quickly repair small cracks with primer and epoxy.

For a broken tile, you’ll need to chisel out the old pieces, set the new tile in, and fill it with grout. Either scenario will have plenty of free online tutorials to review, meaning you can likely skip the cost of bringing in a professional.

Cons

While repairing is the cheaper, easier option, it’s not always the best choice for a tile issue.

You May Have Trouble Matching Materials

Finding substitutes that match up perfectly may be a challenge if you don’t keep any spare tiles or don’t have enough. If the store or manufacturer who originally carried your tiles is still in business, you may be able to track some tiles down. But if the business has closed or been too long, you may be stuck with having to find the closest possible match. 

It Could Be a Temporary Solution

If the area is too damaged, performing repairs may only be temporary. The tiles may be more easily susceptible to damage in the future, or some of the subflooring could be affected. While tile floors are incredibly durable, it’s important not to continue walking over any loose or deeply cracked pieces.

Pros and Cons of Tile Floor Replacement 

Replacing old tile floors is a big and costly job, but it can give you big rewards: long-lasting tiles and a brand-new look in your kitchen or bathroom. Here are the pros and cons to consider before starting a retiling project.

Pros

While a tile floor installation is a large project, there are several benefits to opting for a full replacement.

It Can Give You a Design Refresh

If your home is older, your current tile floor may be starting to look dated. The avocado green that looked great in the ‘70s isn’t exactly the current trend, so a refresh might be in order. Particularly if you have several damaged tiles without readily available replacements or gaping in tile under cabinets, it’s likely a good time for a design update instead of repairs.

It Will Be a Long-Term Fix

Older tile floors that have already been through several repairs may have reached their shelf life. When the damage goes beyond cosmetic and turns into a structural issue (like water damage) or a safety issue (like tripping over loose tiles), it’s likely time for a total replacement.

Cons

A whole new floor tile sounds great, but it’s a big commitment to your finances and time.

It Comes at a Higher Price

For materials and labor, replacing tile flooring costs anywhere from $3 to $22 per square foot. Specific tile options, such as ones with intricate designs, can escalate the price quickly. Since it will generally only cost a few dollars to perform periodic repairs, that option is the more budget-friendly choice. 

It Can Be a Major Project

Ripping out old tiles and installing new ones is loud, messy, and time-consuming. Because care needs to be taken not to damage the subfloor underneath, it’s often a project hired out to a contractor. While doing so ensures quality work, it also means a space that will likely be unusable for some time.

How Long Does It Take to Remove Floor Tile? 

Removing floor tile is no walk in the park. It can take 8 to 12 hours to remove tile flooring, depending on the room’s square footage and how it was installed. Not to mention that this task is physically demanding and will likely require more than one person to complete. Plus, you’ll need to account for the additional two to three days to lay your new ceramic tiling.

That’s why many homeowners hire a professional tile installer instead of taking on this challenging DIY project. Pros have the tools, knowledge, and experience to remove and lay tile as quickly and safely as possible, and they’ll make sure the job is done correctly.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace vs. Repair Tile Floors?

There can be a significant cost difference in repairing versus replacing tile floors, particularly if you can make DIY repairs. Filling cracks and chips with epoxy should cost less than $50 for supplies, while a 25-pound bag of grout costs anywhere from $10 to $65. 

If you hire a pro, the typical cost to repair flooring is between $2 to $30 per square foot, depending on the problem (with higher prices for structural issues). Contractors often charge a flat fee for minor repairs like swapping out a single tile. In this case, expect to pay around $150. Significant jobs, like regrouting a whole bathroom, can cost more than simply retiling the floor.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Most homeowners spend $800 to $3,000 replacing their tile floor, which is $15 to $20 per square foot. Replacements seem like they cost less per square foot than high-end professional repairs, but you’re also dealing with more square footage when you make a replacement.

Tile flooring repairs and replacements are labor-intensive jobs that can take weeks and require specialized tile tools, which are costly to buy if you don’t already have them. Professionals can get any repair or replacement job done faster than a DIYer and with much cleaner results.