Tiles are a durable option for a kitchen floor compared to wood flooring. However, over time, they become prone to damage, and it is better to remove the broken tile and replace it with a high-quality tile to maintain the floor.
Can You Replace One Kitchen Floor Tile? You can replace one kitchen floor tile by removing the grout to pull the damaged tile with different tools. Use a hammer and chisel to hit the tile and lift it from the ground. Now, remove scattered pieces of tile to clear the surface to replace them with a new tile. Next, wipe out the floor to get rid of dust and grime to make the surface smooth. Finally, you should select the new tile of the same size and texture and set it on the ground by spreading glue and grouting it.
It is challenging to change one kitchen tile without damaging the other tiles. However, you can follow these basic steps to remove it yourself.
It is easy to remove one tile from the kitchen floor without disturbing the surrounding floor.
Removal of grout
Grout is a filler used to cover up the gaps and keep them connected. The first step to remove the broken tile from the kitchen floor is the removal of grout.
Before this procedure, you need to follow some precautionary measures. For example, you can use safety glasses and a mask to protect your eyes.
Broken pieces of ceramic tile can spread anywhere and cut your skin. To avoid this, you must put on a long sleeve shirt. In addition, you can also use gloves and ear protectors.
You can use various tools to cut the grout to detach it from the remaining floor. Grout saw is a tool that contains a sharp edge that is inserted between the tiles to pull it out without any damage.
Some people prefer to use a grout grabber that contains grout grabber blades, and it requires less effort to remove grout as compared to a grout saw.
Another way to get rid of grout is using a manual tool called a flat blade screwdriver. Place the blade between them and then tap with a hammer.
Lift and hit the tile
Tiles become loose when you remove grout, and now you should lift the broken parts.
You require two types of that include a chisel and a hammer. A chisel is a tool fitted with a sharp edge to lift the loose tile.
It is beneficial because you can remove single or multiple tiles from the ground without causing cracks.
Next, hit the chisel with a hammer to break the damaged part further, which will help you make pulling easy.
You can also break the tile by placing the chisel along the deepest crack of damaged tile and then following the same procedure of tapping it with the hammer.
Some people also punch holes into the center of the tile by using a drill machine. Next, place blue painter’s tape in the center to insert the drill machine through the glaze of ceramic products.
The other advantage of blue tape is that it minimizes the chances of splintering of tile. Finally, place the chisel into holes and hit it with a hammer to break it.
This step requires extra caution because the chisel is a very sharp tool and can harm your hands.
Handle the chisel in a manner that only allows the careful pulling away of cracked tile without any other suffering.
Remove broken tile pieces
You have to proceed to the third step after following the above two steps of removing your kitchen floor tile.
You were using a chisel of small size for hitting and separating it from nearby tiles but pulled out broken pieces by using a large-sized chisel.
A wider chisel can prove beneficial because it is used to clean all the shattered fine pieces.
It is essential to pull out broken pieces to make the surface clear and avoid the difficulty of installing a new tile.
Clean the kitchen floor
You need to ensure that the ground surface is free of any imperfection if you want to install a new tile over an existing surface.
The process of removing a cracked tile leads to the accumulation of dust and debris in the surrounding and on the floor.
The presence of cracked pieces will make the ground uneven and imperfect for placing a new tile.
Therefore, clean the kitchen floor to remove all dirt and then wipe the ground with a damp sponge.
Wiping the floor will create a stable and perfect surface to fix the tile correctly.
Selection of a tile
You should keep in mind some essential features when selecting a tile for replacement. The most important thing is to choose a piece that exactly fits into the ground.
Take the exact measurements in all dimensions and match them with the remaining tiles to install it correctly into the space.
It is better to select high-quality products because this feature makes them resistant to cracks and breaks. Glazed ceramic is considered one of the best quality because it is more durable.
Set the new tile
Now replace a single kitchen floor tile is to set it in the desired place using an adhesive material.
It is better to use acrylic adhesive and spread it evenly on the floor to make a strong bond with the tile.
The flat side of the steel blade is used to layout the glue evenly, and the notched portion is used to penetrate it along the edges.
Now, install the new tile in its place and press it to ensure its level is regular with the rest of the floor.
You should clean the excess acrylic with a sponge and leave the tile to allow it to set on the floor.
After some time, it is ready to grout and fill the spaces along the periphery of the tile by using a steel blade.
Push the steel blade to apply filler and press it down to better fill the spaces along the edges and corners.
Next, remove the extra grout and rinse it out by using a wet sponge and letting it dry. It takes almost 22 to 26 hours to dry and set completely.
Related Articles:
