Let’s face it—broken tiles are like that one squeaky cabinet door or the rogue sock in your laundry: they drive you absolutely bananas. Whether you dropped a cast iron skillet (we’ve been there) or time simply caught up with your floor, a cracked tile doesn’t mean you need to rip up your whole kitchen like you’re auditioning for a home reno show.
That’s right, friend: you can replace just that one busted tile—and Grout Medic is here to show you how!
First things first—safety glasses on, deep breath in. Start by cleaning the area around the broken tile with a vacuum or brush. You want a dust-free zone because tile surgery is serious business. Remove any loose shards or crumbles (yes, like tile dandruff).
Pro Tip: Tape around the edges of the surrounding tiles to protect them from collateral damage.
Using a hammer and chisel (or a grout saw if you’re fancy), carefully chip away the grout around the damaged tile. This part is oddly satisfying—just be patient and don’t go full Hulk-mode. Once the grout’s out, crack the broken tile into smaller pieces and pry it up.
Safety First: Wear gloves—broken tile edges are sneakier than a cat on a countertop.
After you remove the old tile, scrape out any remaining adhesive or thin-set underneath. A putty knife or oscillating multi-tool will do the trick. Vacuum again to make sure there’s no debris left behind.
We’re aiming for a clean, flat surface here—think of it as the blank canvas for your tile masterpiece.
Apply tile adhesive or thin-set mortar evenly to the space. Press the new tile firmly into place, wiggling it a little for that perfect bond. Use tile spacers if you want to be super precise (we’re big fans of precision here at Grout Medic).
Let it set for 24 hours. Yes, that means don’t walk on it. No peeking!
Once the tile is set, mix up your grout (unless you're using pre-mixed—hey, we don’t judge). Spread it over the tile and into the joints using a rubber float, then wipe away the excess with a damp sponge. After it cures, give it a final wipe and voilà—your floor is back in business!
We get it—not everyone dreams of spending their weekend on their knees with a chisel in one hand and a YouTube tutorial in the other. If you'd rather have tile repair done flawlessly without breaking a sweat (or a nail), Grout Medic has your back.
From single tile fixes to full grout restoration, we’re the heroes your floor didn’t know it needed—but absolutely deserves.
As you have seen by now, replacing broken tiles doesn’t have to be a nightmare or a full-blown renovation. With the right tools, a bit of patience, and a sprinkle of courage (plus a good podcast for moral support), you can fix that one rebel tile and keep your floor looking fresh.
Or… just call Grout Medic and let us do what we do best: make tile magic happen.
By Grout Medic Colorado Springs Staff 5-1-2025
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