How to Quickly Repair Bathroom Shower Tiles

Co-authored by Art Fricke

Last Updated: January 13, 2023 References

Ceramic shower tiles may be damaged or broken over a period of years. This may include damage to the grout joints, or even individual tiles may crack, causing water to leak into the walls or floor space, where it can damage subfloors or lower level spaces.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.} This guide will help you to repair these problems.

Steps

1
Remove damaged tiles together with tile adhesive (cement under tiles).^{[2]
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Research source} You may have to break the tile into small pieces and remove it.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.} The biggest problem with this is that you can easily break some of the adjoining tiles.
- Using a grout saw or other tool, remove the grout from the tile joints surrounding the damaged tile(s). Be careful not to cut through any membrane waterproofing underneath or behind the tiles.
- Using a masonry bit, drill a hole through the middle of the tiles you need to remove. For large tiles you may need to drill several holes so the tile can be broken up to remove it.^{[4]
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  Research source} Again, be careful not to drill too deep, or the substrate and/or any waterproofing membrane may be damaged.
- Use a chisel to break out the tile(s) in small pieces.
- Remove the thinset mortar or tile adhesive behind the tile you have removed. You will need a smooth, clean surface to install the replacement tile(s) on.
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Make sure any waterproof membrane is undamaged before proceeding. You may have to repair rubber or vinyl membranes to assure there isn't a leak underneath the tiles you are replacing, and the methods for doing so vary depending on the membrane used.

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3
Get some ceramic tile adhesive, or thinset tile cement and apply it to the substrate with a notched trowel.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.} For small repairs, you may have to use a putty knife to apply this material.
4
Replace the tile by pushing it into the adhesive or thinset firmly so it is bedded in the material. Make sure the joints around the tile are uniform, and the surface of the newly installed tile(s) are flush with the surrounding tiles.
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Wait for the tile adhesive to dry and then grout the joints surrounding any new tiles you have installed.^{[6]
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Research source} Use a sponge and plenty of water to clean excess grout off the tile's surface.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.} Once this material has dried and cured, it is difficult to remove.
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Use a good, waterproof bathroom sealant or caulk to repair any joints that do not lend themselves to grouting, such as metal trim or fixture penetrations.^{[8]
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Research source}

Expert Q&A
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Question

What is the best adhesive for shower tiles?

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.

Art Fricke

Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

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Thinset would be appropriate, as it is a concrete mix that is ideal for putting tile onto a substrate in a wet environment.

Warnings

Wear leather work gloves when handling broken ceramic tiles.

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If there is not any membrane under old tiles, it is a good idea is to paint surface with some fluid applied membrane.

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If there is membrane under old tiles do not break it( do not make any holes in it)

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When you break a broken tile you can damage tiles around. Take special care to protect other tiles in shower and take care for your tools. Heavy hammer in the shower can easy break some more tile. Even very experienced workers can easy damage some of the neighboring tiles, take it slowly when you remove broken tiles.

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Wear safety glasses when breaking out damaged ceramic tiles.

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