How to Quickly Repair Bathroom Shower Tiles

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Ceramic shower tiles may be damaged or broken over a period of years. This may include damage to the grout joints, or even individual tiles may crack, causing water to leak into the walls or floor space, where it can damage subfloors or lower level spaces. [1] This guide will help you to repair these problems.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. [2] You may have to break the tile into small pieces and remove it. [3] The biggest problem with this is that you can easily break some of the adjoining tiles.
    • Using a grout saw or other tool, remove the grout from the tile joints surrounding the damaged tile(s). Be careful not to cut through any membrane waterproofing underneath or behind the tiles.
    • Using a masonry bit, drill a hole through the middle of the tiles you need to remove. For large tiles you may need to drill several holes so the tile can be broken up to remove it. [4] Again, be careful not to drill too deep, or the substrate and/or any waterproofing membrane may be damaged.
    • Use a chisel to break out the tile(s) in small pieces.
    • Remove the thinset mortar or tile adhesive behind the tile you have removed. You will need a smooth, clean surface to install the replacement tile(s) on.
  2. You may have to repair rubber or vinyl membranes to assure there isn't a leak underneath the tiles you are replacing, and the methods for doing so vary depending on the membrane used.
    Advertisement
  3. [5] For small repairs, you may have to use a putty knife to apply this material.
  4. Make sure the joints around the tile are uniform, and the surface of the newly installed tile(s) are flush with the surrounding tiles.
  5. [6] Use a sponge and plenty of water to clean excess grout off the tile's surface. [7] Once this material has dried and cured, it is difficult to remove.
  6. Use a good, waterproof bathroom sealant or caulk to repair any joints that do not lend themselves to grouting, such as metal trim or fixture penetrations. [8]
    7. Advertisement

Video

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What is the best adhesive for shower tiles?
    Art Fricke
    Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
    Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.
    Art Fricke
    Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Thinset would be appropriate, as it is a concrete mix that is ideal for putting tile onto a substrate in a wet environment.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Find extra replacement tiles before beginning this project. Matching colors and sizes of tiles may be difficult. [9]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Read and follow manufacturer's directions on the materials you purchase to do these repairs.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      • Avoid damaging adjacent tiles by breaking the tiles you intend to replace into small pieces with a hammer and chisel or a steel punch.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Wear leather work gloves when handling broken ceramic tiles.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
      • If there is not any membrane under old tiles, it is a good idea is to paint surface with some fluid applied membrane.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
      • Wear safety glasses when breaking out damaged ceramic tiles.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • When you break a broken tile you can damage tiles around. Take special care to protect other tiles in shower and take care for your tools. Heavy hammer in the shower can easy break some more tile. Even very experienced workers can easy damage some of the neighboring tiles, take it slowly when you remove broken tiles.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
      • If there is membrane under old tiles do not break it( do not make any holes in it)
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Replacement tiles
      • Grout
      • Tile adhesive
      • Hand tools

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Remove Bathroom Tile
      How to
      Repair a Fiberglass Tub or Shower
      How to
      Paint a Bathroom
      10 Easy Solutions to Unblock a Clogged Bathroom Sink Drain
      Tiling a Shower: Prep, Installation, and Finishing Touches
      How to
      Plan Tile Layout
      How to
      Tell The Difference Between Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles
      How to
      Make a Mosaic Table Top
      How to
      Identify Asbestos Tiles
      How to
      Extend an Outlet for a Backsplash
      How to
      Replace Bathroom Tiles
      How to
      Tile a Backsplash
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-remove-and-replace-damaged-bathroom-tub-surround-tile/
      3. ↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.
      4. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-replace-broken-tile
      5. ↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.tilecleaning.org/replacebrokenshowertile.htm
      7. ↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.
      8. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/bathroom/remodeling/how-to-re-caulk-a-shower-or-bathtub/
      9. ↑ https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/replace-a-broken-ceramic-tile
      1. https://www.familyhandyman.com/tiling/grouting/how-to-regrout-bathroom-tile-fixing-bathroom-walls/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 358,910 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement