Kitchen Tile Repair FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions.
We have answers.
For more complex tile repairs or if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, it’s best to hire a professional. the Home Services team at Merrick knows that each case is different and can help determine what repair is right for your tile installation. Our team has the tools and knowledge to repair or replace tiles quickly and effectively.
Tile repairs can be a simple DIY project or a complex process that requires professional assistance. Re-grouting, tile replacement, surface repair, and professional repair are all options depending on the damage to your tile. Remember, prevention is always the best approach to tile repair. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help prevent damage to your tiles and prolong their lifespan.
Small chips or cracks in bathroom tile can be fixed by cleaning them thoroughly with denatured alcohol and then filling the damaged area with a siliconized caulk or a tile repair kit. Depending on the size of the chip or crack it may be less noticeable to simply leave it alone.
If your existing kitchen backsplash or floor tile are in good shape and still strongly adhered to their substrate then, yes, you can put down a new layer of thinnest and install new tile right over it. If your existing tile is loose or damaged these problems will telescope through your new tiles causing them to pop off and fail. When choosing to overlay tile you’ll need to consider the additional depth. Electrical boxes in backsplashes will need to be pulled forward and new thresholds will need to be added to accommodate the rise in elevation of overlaid kitchen floor tile.
Yes, you can, but it is ill advised and its actually because of your appliances. When new kitchen flooring is installed on top of existing flooring you will either come up against your kitchen appliances making it difficult or impossible to remove them for serving or you will raise the flooring up to high for them to fit below the countertop. In some instance you can work around these obstacles. Make sure you discuss this with your flooring installer prior to the start of work.
If one or two tiles are cracked, chipped, or broken, these can be replaced without redoing your entire tiled surface. A quick fix to a broken tile is to caulk the crack of chip. This is unsightly and a temporary solution at best. To replace a tile, start by removing the damaged tile. You can do this by breaking the tile with a hammer and chisel or using a grinder tool to cut it out. Once the tile is removed, clean the area, and remove any adhesive or grout residue. Then, apply adhesive to the back of the new tile and press it into place. Allow the adhesive to dry completely before grouting the area.
Prior to any tile removal project it is important to carefully protect surrounding finishes. Shards from ceramic tile are just as sharp as glass so it is important to seal off the area you are working in, put down clean drop clothes and layers of padding to protect cabinets above and below from damage. For small areas a chisel and hammer will suffice for large areas like a kitchen floor or backsplash power tools such as a hammer drill or grinder will help speed up the process.
Reviews from happy customers
I can't say enough about how pleased I have been with the quality and the service from Wayne and his team at Merrick. They restored a balcony railing and floor for us last year, and we had them return to install new shutters recently. We will certainly be calling on them again for other projects!
The Handyman team has completed several projects for me this summer including tile work, furniture repair, exterior work and more. All the tasks were done in a timely manner and done with a detailed eye. Thanks so much Merrick Design and Build.
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