 
Many homes in the Fort Lauderdale real estate market contain tile floors. There are many benefits to having tile floors in such a hot and humid climate. Additionally, they are very durable, easy to maintain, cost effective, and come in a number of designs.
With any part of your home, there will come a day when an accident happens and you will find yourself in need of a tile repair. While entire tile floors may be hard to install for a beginner, repairing just one floor tile can be done by almost anyone relatively cheaply and quickly.
1. Chip away the old tile. Start by removing the grout around the tile using an awl or chisel. Grout is nothing more than a pseudo concrete mixture. This may be a tedious process but it is important to go slow and be methodical so that you do not crack the nearby tiles. Once the grout is removed, use the chisel to remove the tile itself. Again, if the tile is not loose, chip away pieces at a time so you do not break the nearby tiles.
2. Get a replacement tile. While anyone who lays tile should keep some extra tiles stored for just this occasion, that is not always plausible. If you do not have any extra tiles that match the one you need, take a piece of the tile you just chipped out to the store with you so that it will be easier to match.
3. Don’t forget the tools and materials. In addition to the chisel you needed for the steps above, you will also need a trowel, large sponge, adhesive, and grout. You should be able to find small pre-mixed amounts of the adhesive and grout made specifically for small repair jobs like this.
4. Prepare the floor for new tile placement. Use the chisel again to remove all of the old adhesive off of the floor. Make sure you remove as much of the old adhesive as possible so the new adhesive will have a good surface to adhere to. If you have anything other than a concrete subfloor, make sure the floor is solid and there are no nails protruding.
5. Spread the adhesive on the tile. Using the trowel, apply the adhesive onto the back of the tile you are about to set. The trowel should be notched and the amount of adhesive uniform and covering the entire tile.
6. Set the tile into place. Press the tile firmly into place. While the adhesive is still wet, you should be able to twist or move to tile so that you can center it into the space. Make sure you let the adhesive dry thoroughly before moving on. If you are not sure, wait at least 4 to 6 hours.
7. Grout around new tile. Apply the grout liberally around the tile to fill in the spaces. Once all areas are filled, sponge off excess grout. At this time, you can use your finger, or handle of a broom, to run along the grout lines so that are compacted and smooth. Try to match the existing grouted areas. Sponge again to clean area.
8. Let dry then seal if desired. Wait 24 hours for the grout to dry thoroughly. When you are sure the grout is completely dry, you can then apply and grout or tile sealers you desire.
Although a home tile repair may be easy with a standard ceramic or porcelain tile floor, we do not recommend homeowners trying their own repairs on natural stones such as marble, travertine, slate, or many others, without having some experience.
Thank you for reading another article in the home improvement and repair series at the Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Blog.
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