Fixing Loose Tiles on the Wall or Floor

In most cases, fixing loose tiles is a fairly simple undertaking. If a tile is loose, it should be easy to take up from the floor or off a wall. Another reason for removing a tile and replacing it is because the adhesive has a void in it that will eventually lead to the tile cracking. This happens when the original installer does not sufficiently apply the adhesive or there are dry pockets in the adhesive mix.

Removing Tile Adhesive

A tile that has come loose so that it can be removed without applying pressure is the easier situation when fixing loose tiles. If the tile is to be reused, any adhesive must be removed from the back before attempting to reseat it. Depending on the type of adhesive used during installation, heat may cause it to soften and liquefy enough to be wiped off. This can be accomplished with a clothing iron used to heat the face side of the tile.

If the adhesive does not contain polymers, heating may not have much effect. In that case, it is a meticulous job to chisel the mortar off the tile without breaking it. Fixing loose tiles is less work if new tiles are used for replacement. When heating works to loosen the adhesive, it is best to apply the iron to the tile while it is in place. That will loosen the adhesive on the floor or wall so that the tile can be removed easily.

It is important to have all adhesive removed from the old tile and the floor or wall behind it. The grout that goes around the tile should also be removed so that nothing interferes with reseating the removed tile. Mineral spirits on a rag will clean adhesive with polymers quite well.

It is very easy to damage tiles around the removed one when attempting to take out the grout. The best way to reduce chipping or breaking tiles is to move the chisel along the side of the tile. Do not hammer a chisel back toward tiles that remain in place.

Reinstalling the Tile

Once tile grout and adhesive have been cleaned away, new adhesive should be installed on both the back of the tile and the surface where it is to be attached using a small toothed trowel. After the tile is set into the opening, a roller that is long enough to overlap on each side onto the tiles around it can be used to roll across and make certain that the tile is flush with the tiles around it.

Once the tile is pressed into place, any excess tile adhesive should be cleaned out of the space around the tile and off of all tiles before it sets. A damp cloth or one with mineral spirits will remove it. The tile may move out of line with the other tiles, so the last step in fixing loose tiles is to use tile spacers in the grout joints while the adhesive sets.

Based on the location of the replaced tile, it might be very easy for someone to step on it while it is resetting. Always put something around the replaced tile as a warning for people to stay away. It is best to wait twenty-four hours for the adhesive to set even though it generally doesn’t take that long to dry.

Installing Grout

It is always best to use the same brand and color of grout to get the closest match possible to the existing materials. If the grout is sanded, you will need to seal it about seven days after it is placed.

Each step in the process of fixing loose tiles is important if the job is to be performed properly.