No matter how sturdy and durable your shower tiles are, they are still prone to damage caused by water exposure and mold infection. They can become loose or completely break over time. Remember that damage to bathroom shower tiles is inevitable, so make sure to inspect your tiles regularly.

To guide you on how to successfully repair or replace damaged shower tiles, take note of the following instructions:

01Check your bathroom shower tiles regularly for damaged pieces. Always have your tools ready, so you can work on the problem right away in case you need to repair a tile. Make sure you have the following tools on hand: tile cutter, hammer stapler, grout saw, notched and toothed trowel, utility knife, and backer board.
 
02If the shower tile is slightly loose, try re-grouting it. Using a carbide grout saw, file the old grout away, and make a new application. A shower tile in this condition is usually small and is held together by a fiberglass mesh, making it easy but time-consuming to repair.

03If the shower tile is loose enough to make noticeable movements, you can pry it out and adhere it again to the backing board, or replace it with a new one. Always remember to wear safety glasses when cutting, removing, hammering, and sawing a tile.

04Use a putty knife to pry an old tile loose. Pull out a significant number of shower tiles to expose both the damaged and intact wall. This allows you to determine how much of the wall area should be replaced with new shower tiles.

05Before setting up new shower tiles, scrape off the adhesives and mortar of the old and damaged tiles as much as you can to prevent them from interfering with the re-bonding. Use a cold chisel made of hardened steel to scrape off the mortar effectively.

06Because nothing can adhere to dirt, dust, and mildew, it is recommended to clean the damaged shower surface first. Use a strong bleach to kill mold and mildew. After washing the area, dry it using a hair dryer if you intend to use adhesive mastic. However, if you intend to use thin-set mortar, leave it slightly damp.

07If the surface area is already dry, then you are ready to re-bond the old tiles or set up new ones. You can do this by using thin-set mortar or adhesive mastic. After application, leave it for at least 24 hours to dry. You can apply new grout as soon as the surface has dried.

08For faster grout repair, use a four-inch diamond blade with an angle grinder. Do not forget to wear eye protection, as the process can force out small rocks and particles in the air.

Tag it:

?