PALM COAST TILE
Bathroom tile repair, and when it is the right fix
Not every tile problem means the bathroom has to be redone. A cracked floor tile, a few loose pieces on a wall or grout that has crumbled out of the joints can often be repaired, and the rest of the room left alone.
The first step is finding out why it happened. Tile rarely fails without a cause, and if the cause is still there, the repair will not last. We look at the problem, tell you what we think is behind it, and say whether a repair makes sense or whether you would be paying to cover something up.
COMMON PROBLEMS
What the symptoms usually mean
These are the calls we get most often, and what tends to be behind each one.
Cracked tile
A single cracked tile is often from an impact. A crack that runs in a line across several tiles usually follows a crack in the slab underneath.
Loose or hollow-sounding tile
The tile has come away from the mortar. On a floor that can be a bonding problem. On a shower wall it can mean water has gotten behind the tile.
Cracked or missing grout
Grout is rigid. It cracks where surfaces move against each other, such as the joint between the tub and the wall, which should be sealed with flexible caulk.
Dark or moldy grout and caulk
Surface staining can be cleaned or regrouted. Grout that stays dark and damp in one area may be holding water that is coming from behind.
PALM COAST TILE
Repair or replace?
This is the question behind most repair calls. The answer depends on what is under the tile.
When a repair is enough
The damage is limited to a few tiles or joints, the surface underneath is dry and solid, and a matching or compatible tile is available.
When it is not
A shower that leaks, a soft floor, or tile that keeps coming loose in a wet area points to a problem with the waterproofing or the substrate. Patching the surface will not fix that, and we will tell you so. In that case see shower tile installation.
FREE ESTIMATE
Not sure if it can be repaired?
Text us a photo of the problem and tell us where it is. We will let you know what we think and set up a time to look at it.
REPAIR WORK
Bathroom tile repairs we do
Each of these is a separate kind of job, and several are often done in the same visit.
Replacing individual tiles
The damaged tile is cut out without disturbing its neighbors, the surface is cleaned, and a new tile is set and grouted.
Regrouting
Old grout is removed from the joints and replaced. It makes a real difference to how a shower or floor looks when the tile itself is still good.
Recaulking
Old caulk is stripped from corners, the tub line and around fixtures and replaced with fresh sealant.
Matching tile
The best match is a spare tile from the original job, so check the garage and closets. Discontinued tile is hard to match exactly, and we will show you the closest option before anything is installed.
AT A GLANCE
Bathroom tile repair at a glance
The repair work we take on. We confirm what is possible after seeing the problem.
F.A.Q
Frequently asked questions
Can you replace just one cracked tile?
Yes, as long as there is a replacement tile. If you have spares from the original installation, that is ideal. If not, we look for the closest match and show it to you first.
Why does the grout between my tub and the wall keep cracking?
Because that joint moves. A tub flexes slightly when it is filled and used, and rigid grout cannot follow it. The joint should be filled with flexible sealant instead of grout.
Is regrouting worth it?
When the tile is sound and firmly attached, regrouting is a cost-effective way to make a bathroom look clean again. It is not a fix for a leak. If water is getting behind the tile, new grout will only hide it for a while.
My shower is leaking. Can it be repaired?
It depends on where the water is getting out. Failed caulk or an open grout joint can be repaired. A leak through the shower pan or the waterproofing behind the walls cannot be fixed from the surface, and that part of the shower has to be rebuilt.
Do you take small repair jobs?
Yes. One customer wrote in a Google review about a hallway transition that needed to be leveled and tiled using leftover tile, and said the result looked intentional. Small jobs are welcome.
CONTACT
Let’s talk about your project
Call or text with the room you have in mind and a few photos. Estimates are free, and we are open Monday through Saturday.
Request a free estimate
WHERE WE WORK
Where we offer bathroom tile repair
We repair bathroom tile in Palm Coast and around Flagler County, and in nearby parts of Volusia and St. Johns County.
Tile installation for bathrooms, showers, kitchens and floors in Palm Coast and across Flagler County. More than 15 years of tile work.