Repairing Cracked Tiles

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Fill hairline cracks with epoxy or tile filler. You can repair hairline cracks without having to replace the only tile, as long as the wall tile is still firmly set. You can use specialized ceramic tile repair kits, but a two-part ceramic epoxy will work fine. Mix the two components together using a piece of scrap wood, then spread over the crack using a clean rag. Wipe up the excess using a second rag. Take care not to get the epoxy in the grout lines between tiles.

Add color to hide the repair. There are two ways to make the repair invisible: Before filling, mix the epoxy with epoxy tint the same color as the tile. Or, after filling, paint over the repair using an oil-based enamel paint marker. Select a replacement tile for more severe damage. Purchase a replacement casstle tile for any damage wider than a hairline crack. Bring the tile to a home repair store to find a match for size, shape, and pattern. Note the thickness of the tile as well. A thinner replacement will need a layer of mastic to raise it.

Remove surrounding grout. Carefully cut away the grout around the broken tile. A grout saw will make this task go faster, but you can use a hammer and chisel instead. Work slowly all the way around the tile, to allow for safe removal without damaging the surroundings. Break away the rest of the tile. Use a hammer and large chisel to break the tile apart. Angle it away from you and start from the center to reduce damage to backing. Wear gloves and safety glasses. Lay down cloth to protect surrounding surfaces from ceramic shards.

 

Replace tile adhesive. Scrape off the existing adhesive using a putty knife. Spread a new layer of thin-set mortar onto the wall or floor. Follow label instructions for mixing the mortar. You may need to wear a dust mask. Press in the new tile. Make sure the tile is flush by tapping it in place with a rubber mallet, or a piece of wood wrapped in cloth. Scrape out any excess mortar from the grout lines with a screwdriver.

Replace the grout. Let the tile dry overnight, or as specified in your mortar instructions. Mix the grout, then add a thin line around the tile using a plastic putty knife. After a week, apply grout sealer over the grout to protect from moisture.

Measuring Tiles

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Measure the size of the tiles you want to use and any tile spacers or grout. Decide how many tiles you will need to use to complete your pattern. Ensure level tiles with the use of a batten, or wooden straight edge. Do not measure the tile according to the ceiling or floor, since these surfaces are not always level. Place a batten horizontally across the wall, and use a level to make it straight.

Pin the batten on the wall. Mark where the wood tiles will go with a pencil, including spacers or grout. The batten will help you to keep the tile straight and evenly spaced, so do not avoid this time-consuming step. Use a vertical batten for your first tiles as well. Pin a level vertical batten in place. This will ensure your first wall tiles are at a 90 degree angle.

Apply a layer of glue to the area above the batten with a notched trowel. You can use a vertical straight edge to help align the tile uniformly. In small areas, you may need to apply the glue with a brush, but make sure it has a notched surface. Place a tile spacer between the small tiles as you set them into the glue to allow space for grout.

Press the tile into the wall with a wooden board. Allow the cement tiles to dry according to adhesive directions in small areas, so that you can concentrate on making the tiles straight. Wipe away any excess glue with a wall scraper. Then, wipe away the tops of the tiles with a wet rag.

Cut porcelain tiles to go near the edges of your walls. You will need to use a wet cutter with a blade that goes in water. Measure each tile before cutting for a good fit. Allow the tiles to dry for at least 24 to 36 hours. The glue directions should specify the necessary time.

Spread grout over the surface of the tile with a grout float. Choose a tile that is water and mold resistant. Clean the surface of the tile with a wet sponge. Run the wet sponge over the surface of the tile. Allow the grout to dry completely. Polish the surface of your tiles with a dry cotton rag. This should remove any remaining grout residue.

Wall Preparation Before Tile a Wall

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Prepare the area around your walls. Place drop cloths on the floor to catch dust and tile pieces. Wear protective clothing. You should use safety goggles, long shirts, long pants and gloves. Broken wall tile can be sharp and dangerous.

Remove the old tile, if necessary. It is inadvisable to try to tile over old tile, because your surface will not be even. Use a chisel and a hammer to crack existing tiles. Once cracked, remove the cloud tile in pieces, if it does not fall off automatically. Chisel off remaining pieces. Beware not to gouge the wall too deeply, or you may create an uneven surface.

If the resulting wall is very uneven, you may want to re-plaster it. It is best to hire a professional to plaster the walls. If you are installing wall tile in a bathroom or other wet area, use cement fiberboard on the surface before you adhere tile. Sand the wall with medium-grit sandpaper to create an even surface. If you are not removing previous tile, you will still want to scuff up glossy surfaces with a fine-grit sandpaper to help the adhesive stick.

Buy your tiles. Porcelain tiles are available through the Internet, home improvement stores and decorators. Buy extra tile for your project, since tiles will break in the process. Take your tile to the home improvement store to try out glue. Different ceramic tiles require different types of glue. You do not want your glue to discolor the wood tile. Apply a wall sealant. This mild adhesive product will keep the glue moist while you complete your project. It is available at home improvement stores.

Cure grout. Allow grout to cure for 24 to 48 hours before stepping on it to ensure its stability and to make sure that it is completely dry. Finish expansion joints. Caulk the expansion joints using a grout caulk in a color that matches your grout. Completely fill these expansion joints then smooth and concave using your finger. You can find grout caulk at large home improvement stores.

How to Prepare Concrete Floor for Ceramic Tile?

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A concrete floor is a good base for laying ceramic tiles, provided it is level and free of cracks or abrasions. Self-leveling compound can be purchased at your local home improvement store and applied to the concrete floor prior to tiling. Cleaning and filling any cracks in the floor takes a little time, and the only precautions to take prior to tiling are to make sure that the floor is completely dry, as the thinset used for tile needs a moisture-free environment. The following steps will allow you to prepare a concrete floor before you lay your tiles.

Sweep the floor for dust and debris. Use a broom to sweep any debris from the floor. Remove dust. Use a wet mop to get any remaining dust from the cement floor. Leveling compounds are sensitive to dust so it’s important to remove the dust with water. Allow the floor to dry for at least 1 hour.

Identify and fill any cracks in the concrete. Mix thinset mortar with water in a bucket according to package instructions. Stir the thinset thoroughly with a trowel. Pour the thinset in any cracks, to about 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) above the floor surface. Smooth the thinset with a masonry float. Allow to dry according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Apply latex primer. Pour latex primer into a paint tray. Use a paint roller to apply the primer to the floor. Cover the entire floor with 1 coat. Allow the primer to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Most primer will take at least 24 hours to dry thoroughly. Use a level to check the floor. Use a large carpenter’s level to identify low areas of the floor. Move the level across the floor and use a marker to mark low levels of the concrete.

Apply self-leveling compound. Mix the self-leveling compound in a bucket according to package directions. Pour the compound into a bucket. Slowly pour the compound into the areas that you previously marked as low. The compound will expand and rise to reach the correct levels of the rest of the concrete. Use a trowel to spread the compound until it is as flat and smooth as possible. Allow the compound to dry for 24 hours before starting on your tile.

How to Clean Stone Tile?

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Stone tile is durable and waterproof, which makes it a popular choice for flooring. Although it is a popular choice, stone tile needs to be cleaned often and maintained properly to remain in good condition. For a routine cleaning, you can do things like mop your floor with warm water and detergent. Spots should be attended to immediately, and the cleaner used for spots depends on what has been dropped. Along with the tile itself, the grout should be cleaned regularly for an overall clean and shiny floor.

Make a paste with baking soda and water. You will need to use baking soda and water. Combine the baking soda with a small amount of water. Add more water or baking powder if necessary until a paste is made. Saturate the grout. Apply the paste directly to the grout. Use enough paste so that the dirty grout is saturated with the baking soda and water. The paste should only be applied to the grout. Do not put it on the tile.

Let the paste sit. The amount of time you allow the paste to sit depends on how dirty the grout is. If the grout is only slightly dirty, you can allow it to sit for a few hours. Allow the paste to sit overnight if the grout is very dirty. Scrub the grout. Once you have let the paste sit, scrub the grout with a toothbrush. You may have to use a little force if the paste has hardened. Scrub until you see clean grout underneath.

If your grout is really dirty or if you have a lot of cleaning to do, you may wish to purchase a grout brush. Grout brushes have stiffer bristles than toothbrushes, so they can remove stubborn dirt more efficiently. You can get one for about $3 to $10 USD at a hardware or home supply store. Wash off the paste. Pour water onto the remaining paste. Rinse the grout off until all of the paste is gone. Use a towel to wipe off the paste. Dry with a towel. You can use oxygen bleach on the grout if it doesn’t turn out as clean as you’d like after the paste.

How Removing Spots from Stone Tile?

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Clean the mess up immediately. Stone will soak up spills quickly because it is porous. The stains will be harder to remove the longer they are left. To prevent this, use a towel or other absorbent object to blot up the spill. Then, clean the spot thoroughly.

Use ammonia and water. This works well to remove stains caused by organic items, like coffee, food, leaves, and lichen. Mix a small amount of ammonia with water. Scrub with a sponge or soft cloth until the stain lifts. Then, dry the area with a clean towel. Bleach can also be used, but it is not as good as ammonia because it is more corrosive.

Remove rust with lemon juice and salt. Rust occurs when metal oxidizes during contact with stone. The rust stains can be lifted with lemon juice and salt. Pour some lemon juice and salt onto a clean cloth. Scrub with the cloth until the rust is gone. Immediately rinse the surface with water. Lemon is acidic, so it should be removed as soon you’re done using it. Rinse with a lot of water and dry with a towel.

 

Get rid of paint and ink stains. Paints and inks are more difficult to use because the cleaners for them are typically harsh. You can use mineral alcohol and a cloth to scrub off the stain. Methylene chloride can also be used, but it is dangerous. Clean up fats with talcum powder. Fats from things like barbecues and candles can stain stone tile. Talcum powder can be used to remove the stains. Pour a fair amount of talcum powder on the stain and leave it for several days. Repeat the process again if the stain does not lift.

Clean the surface. Wipe all grout residue off of the tile using the damp tile sponge in a diagonal motion. Clean the excess grout from the expansion areas using the margin trowel to leave those areas completely clean for caulking. Rinse and repeat. Rinse tile sponge and repeat the previous step until all of the grout residue is removed and wood tile is completely clean of grout haze. Make sure to wring out as much water as possible each time you rinse the sponge.

Doing a General Cleaning Before Clean Stone Tile

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Sweep the tile. Begin the cleaning process by sweeping the tile. Sweeping stone tile is especially important because it removes small particles, like sand, that can damage the floor. You can use any type of broom, but a dust mop is ideal because it helps the cleaning process go by faster. Do not drag furniture when moving it for cleaning the floor. Instead, have someone help you lift it and move it.

Use a mop with dish soap. The easiest way to clean your wall tile is with a mop and dish soap. Use a few tablespoons (30-45 ml) of a pH-neutral dish soap instead of a harsh and acidic cleaner. Combine the cleaner with water in a bucket, and use a mop to wash down the floor until all of it has been cleaned. Seventh Generation and Method are a few brands of dish soap that you could use.

Rinse the floor. You can use the same bucket and mop you used to clean the floor, but make sure to rinse them out thoroughly. There shouldn’t be any detergent left. Fill the bucket with warm water. Use the mop to rinse the floor. Going over the tile with warm water prevents streaking caused by leftover cleaner. Rinsing the floor also helps to remove leftover sand and debris.

Dry with a towel. Drying the floor by hand is better than allowing it to air dry because air drying can cause water spots. Grab a clean towel and dry the floor by hand. It takes a while, but it gives your floor the best result.

Give the floor a shine. Complete the cleaning by giving your floors an added shine. There are several ways to do this. An easy way to do this is by using a few tablespoons (30-45 ml) of salt. Use the salt with a wet cloth and rub until the cloth is soft and dry. You can also use self-shining wax or extra virgin wax. Avoid using too much wax or you could cause your floor to appear yellow. To remove excess wax, scrub with water and neutral soap, or use a wax remover.You can use black shoe polish for black stone.

Laying Down the Grout Before Regrout Tile

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Mix the grout. Mix the grout in one of the 5 gallon (19 L) buckets using a drill with a mixing attachment or paddle mixer. Do an initial mix and then let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then mix the grout again. You may not want to mix it all at once. Just mix up a few cups at a time.

Apply the grout. Apply a generous amount of grout to your grout joints along your tile floor using the rubber grout float. Be sure to distribute extra grout into the grout joints in order to fill them completely. Grout all areas of your tile floor except the expansion joints; these are the areas between the floor tile and bathtub, wall, door, and cabinet or sink area.

The rubber grout float is a rectangular, flat tool with a steel handle and rubber surface used to distribute grout. Hold the rubber grout float at a 30 degree angle and distribute grout across the surface of the tile floor. Keep in mind that it is important to work quickly because the grout will harden in a short amount of time.

Remove excess. Remove the excess grout from the tile floor once every grout joint has been filled. Do this by going over the tile with the rubber grout float, only this time use it at a sharp angle and move it diagonally across the tile floor in order to scrap the excess grouting material off. Moving diagonally avoids detaching recently laid grout from the grout joints.

Let the grout set and prepare bucket. Let grout set for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. While the grout is setting, fill your second 5 gallon (19 L) bucket with water and grab your tile sponge to clean the tile floor. Prepare your sponge. Dip the tile sponge in the bucket of water and wring out any excess water leaving a damp tile sponge.

How to Regrout Tile?

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Regrouting your tile is a simple task that can be done in a small amount of time. The only aspect that takes some time in this process is the curing of the grout. All you need is some grout mix and a couple easy to use tools.

Decide what type of grout you will be using. This is dependent on the size of your grout’s joint (the space between the tiles where the grout lies). There are two types of grout for regrouting only tile: sanded and unsanded. If your grout joints are larger than 1/8 inch (.3175 cm) use sanded grout to fill in the space; if your joints are going to be less than 1/8 inch (.3175 cm) use non sanded grout to fill in your joints as it is more compact.

Remove existing grout. If necessary, remove the existing grout before preparing to lay down new grout. This will keep the appearance clean and even, as well as prevent mold contamination. Tools for removing grout include a utility knife, a ceramic chisel, a hammer and a small scraper with a retractable blade.

Apply wood marble tile sealant. Apply a wood tile sealant over the surface of your tiles if they have become porous so the grout does not sink underneath the surface when regrouting your tile. Do this by using a phyllite tile sponge, a roller, or simply wipe the tiles with a coat of sealant and allow to dry for 24 hours.

Pump the neutralized acid out of the pool. Do this using a water pump. Once the acid is pumped out, rinse the pool with the hose. Then proceed to pump this water out of the pool as well. When the pool is completely rinsed and cleaned, refill it with water. When rinsing the pool, make sure to rinse your boots, gloves, goggles, and protective clothing with water as well. Rinse until all the acid is completely gone. Discard any unused acid at your local hazardous waste disposal.

How Using an Acid Solution Washing Your Pool Tiles?

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Drain your pool. Remove debris like leaves and algae from the bottom of the pool once the water is drained. Then place your water hose at the deep-end side of the pool. Position it near the ledge so that the water will run over the tile when you turn it on. Wear protective clothing.

Because the acid solution emits noxious fumes and is harmful if it gets onto your skin and body, rubber boots, safety gloves and goggles, and a respirator with an acid approved filter are necessary. For extra precaution, wear a protective suit that is chemical-resistant.

 

Add 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of muriatic acid to 1 gallon of water in a bucket. You can use a plastic bucket. Make sure to slowly add the acid to the water and not the other way around. Because the acid will fizz and emit fumes when you pour it into the water, make sure you are wearing your respirator, goggles, gloves, and protective clothing. You can purchase muriatic acid and acid-resistant cleaning tools from your local pool maintenance store or online.

Apply the solution to the pool tile with an acid brush. Starting at the deep end of the pool, work the solution into the grout with the brush. Working on small sections at a time, scrub the flat rustic tile with an acid-resistant scrub brush. Once the calcium silicate scaling is removed, rinse the wall tile with water using the hose.

Alternatively, fill a watering can with the solution and use the can to pour it onto the pool tiles. Then use the acid-resistant scrub brush to clean the white tile. Repeat this process until all the tiles are cleaned. Add soda ash to the acidic solution at the bottom of the pool. Add 2 pounds (.9 kilograms) of soda ash for every gallon of acid. Do this once you are done cleaning all of the tiles. The soda ash neutralizes the acid so it can be safely removed from your pool.