how to fix a broken tile without replacing it

How to Repair Cracked Tiles

One cracked tile doesn't mean you have to retile an entire room. To repair cracked tiles is fairly easy and can be done without professional help. Here are three DIY ways you can deal with a cracked tile.

The Top 3 Ways to Repair Cracked Tile

Eye-catching tile designs create harmony and flow. Featuring Cabot Fiore Series Porcelain Tile SKU: 15270088

1. Paint Over the Cracks

Appropriate for small, hairline cracks, this is the easiest method, but it's more of a cover-up than an actual repair. You'll need paint that closely matches the color of your tile, so this method won't work for most textured, patterned, or stone tiles. Ask an employee at a paint store for help. He or she might even be able to mix an exact match of the tile's color if you bring in a sample tile. Alternatively, you can paint your tile floor an entirely new color.

Use straight paint or a paint and tile filler mix. Apply it to the crack with a cotton swab. Allow it to dry for a few seconds before wiping away the excess with a damp cloth. This method won't actually fix the crack, but does make it more difficult to see.

2. Apply Glaze

This method won't fix the broken tile's appearance, but it will fill the crack and prevent further damage. Combine this method with method No. 1 for greatest effect. This method is also a bigger investment, since you generally have to glaze all the tiles to match the repaired tile.

First, clean the area thoroughly. Mop or wipe more than once if necessary. Any remaining dirt will become permanently trapped under the glaze. Wait for the tile to dry before applying the glaze.

Most people choose a clear glaze because it goes with all colors of tile and grout, but colored glazes are also available. Open a window to avoid inhaling fumes, then apply the glaze quickly, before it dries. You might need to apply more than one coat.

3. Replace the Tile

Spread a clean and composed design across any room. Featuring Cabot Fiore Series Porcelain Tile, Lucid. SKU: 15270090

If the crack in your tile is too large, this might be your only choice. Before you try this method, make sure you can find a replacement tile that is the same size, shape, color, and material as your existing one. If you don't have one on hand from when the tile was originally installed, you can try to find one at a tile retailer. If you don't see the tile you want there, you may have to search a few different places. If you're still out of luck, this option might not work for you.

Once you have a replacement tile, you'll need to break out the old, cracked one. Place a towel over the cracked tile, and hit it with a hammer to break it into small pieces. From there, you can chisel out the broken fragments. Scrape away the adhesive underneath with a putty knife, then clear the space of debris, making sure you have a clean, flat surface on which to lay down the new tile.

Apply adhesive to the new tile and set it in place. Once the adhesive dries, apply fresh grout to the cracks between tiles. Let that dry, then wipe your new tile sparkly clean.

These easy tile fixes can help restore your bathroom, kitchen, or outdoor tiles to their former glory with out replacing an entire floor or wall. Make your surface look like new with the methods above.