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Life

29th Aug 2012

Ten steps to… improving your bathroom: Replacing a broken tile

A broken tile doesn't have to be an eye sore in your bathroom, especially when it's this easy to fix. Here’s how to do it in just ten easy steps.

JOE

A broken tile doesn’t have to be an eye sore in your bathroom, especially when it’s this easy to fix. Here’s how to do it in just ten easy steps.

If you want your bathroom to look its best then you’ll want to make sure you stay on top of removing broken tiles. It’s easy to break them, but it’s just as easy to replace them. Here’s how to do it in just ten easy steps.

What you’ll need:

New tile
Grout remover
Grout
Chisel
Hammer
Tile adhesive
Old sheet
Spacers
Old towel
Strong rubber gloves

What to do:

Step 1: Out with the grout

The first step in removing a broken tile, whether it’s on the wall or on your floor, is to remove all the grout that holds it in place. Now don’t worry, the tile isn’t going to fall off the wall because it’s also held in with tile adhesive. You will however, still need to get rid of the grout. Put your old sheet down to protect the floor and remove the grout with a grout remover.

Step 2: Breaking bad… tiles

The next step is to break up the already broken tile. Simply place an old towel over the tile in question and use a hammer to break it into smaller pieces.

Step 3: Remove the broken tile

Using your rubber gloves, break off as much of the tile as you can by simply gripping and ripping. Get as much of the heavy stiff off first before you start using your chisel.

Step 4: Get chiselled…

Next you can use your chisel to remove the tile adhesive that was holing the back of the tile in place. Just be careful not to crack any of the surrounding tiles when you’re doing this.

Step 5: Clean off the area

Do your best to get rid of as much of old adhesive as possible. Use some coarse sandpaper to get rid of the small bits that are left around the edges.

Step 6: Re-grout your tile

Using a notched trowel, apply the new adhesive to the area you just cleaned – don’t worry it wasn’t in vain. Make sure to make some groves in the adhesive – the trowel should do this for you – and then clean off anything that has made its way over the side. Before you finish up here, place some spacers around the area where your new tile will sit. This will make things easier later on.

Step 7: Apply the new tile

Finally, it’s now time to place your new tile into its new home. Place the tile over the adhesive and then wiggle it into place so that it sits nice and evenly with the other surrounding tiles.

Step 8: Leave to set

In order for the adhesive to dry you’ll need to leave it overnight. Simples.

Step 9: Grout the new tile

Mix the grout as instructed on the packet. Apply grout around the edges of the tile using a grout float and make sure to apply the grout to gap that sits around the new tile.

Step 10: Clean up and finish off

Finally, using a clean damp cloth simply wipe off anything that’s still left on the tile. Once it dries out you’re finished.

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