How to Replace a Broken Tile

TOOLS NEEDED

• Scoring knife
• Masking tape
• Drill
• Hammer
• Narrow Chisel
• Tile adhesive
• Notched towel
• Grout
• Grout Float
• Sponge

Step-by-step:

1. Rake out the grout around the broken tile with either a scoring knife or grout saw/scraper, being careful not to disturb the neighbouring tiles.Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any chips and dust.

2. Apply masking or painters tape around the edges of the adjacent tiles to protect them, then drill evenly spaced holes into the tiles broken sections with a 1/4-inch ceramic bit. This helps free the pieces from the substrate and makes them easier to chisel out.

3. Working from the centre outwards, tap out the broken pieces with a hammer and narrow chisel. Start with the chisel at 90, then switch to a 45 angle after you penetrate the glaze. Once the tile is removed, use a wide chisel to remove the old adhesive.

4. To set the new tile, comb a small amount of adhesive over the substrate using a 1/4- inch notched trowel, then apply some to the back of the new tile. Press the tile in place, ensuring it is level and that the spacing is even, then gently wipe off excess adhesive.

5.Wait two hours for the adhesive to dry, then spread grout into the joins with a grout float held at a 45 angle.Wait 15 minutes then clean off the excess grout with a damp sponge.

Further reading:

• How to lay floor tiles
• How to tile a wall
• A Buyer's Guide to Bathroom Wall Tiles