Tile can be a lot of work to put in, and sometimes a lot of work to maintain as well. We love the end result of tile, but even the slightest abnormality can cause your tile or your grout to crack in high-traffic areas.
If you have cracked grout or tile, check out these simple tile repairs and grout repairs you can try on your own.
Tile Repairs
Tile repairs and grout repairs are handled separately and take different methods to fix. Your tile is more likely to have a crack in the tile material itself, and this is relatively simple to fix up so that it’s not so noticeable.
It’s not a perfect fix, but it will help to prevent spreading as well as make the tile look nicer again.
Before you try to repair your tile, you should clean it really well first. You can use tile cleaner, dish soap, or even a water and vinegar solution for cleaning.
Follow these steps for repair after you have cleaned the tile.
- Find clear or white epoxy and prepare it for filling the crack. Apply the epoxy to the crack, both filling and sealing it. Do your best to avoid the grout. Apply in thin, even layers using a craft stick or even a toothpick.
- Choose a paint that is similar to the main color of your tile. Try to find something that will blend in as closely as possible. Apply two coats of paint over the epoxy and allow each to dry completely.
- Allow the paint to cure. You should let it cure at least overnight, but it might be best to let it cure for several days as well.
- After the paint has fully cured, you can seal the tile and the paint with urethane to finish up. Make sure you allow this to dry completely as well.
Grout Repairs
You can also complete simple grout repairs on your own. If your repair needs are extensive, you may need to hire a professional; however, if it’s a small fix, you can follow these steps.
- Start by removing the grout. You only need to remove the damaged grout.
- Use a grout saw or some sort of fine saw to dig out the damaged grout. Move the saw back and forth on the grout, staying clear of the tile itself.
- Break up the top layers of the grout and sweep it out.
- Grab a vacuum and clean the crumbling grout out of the space.
Once you’ve removed the damaged grout, you can apply fresh grout to the area. Wet the tile slightly before applying the new grout. You should only need enough to fill in the removed grout from the space.
Professional Cleaning Crew
If you need to make tile repairs and grout repairs, it’s really pretty simple to do. But first, you need to clean your tile and grout. The King of Kleen offers professional grout cleaning services. Just give us a call for a free estimate!
