DIY Saturday #96 – How to Replace Ceramic Tiles in your Home

Guest Blogger #480, Entry #1110, April 21, 2012

Happy DIY Saturday! Whether you are looking to update your outdated kitchen backsplash or you are remodeling your bathroom, replacing ceramic tile may be in the plan. Today, see a You Tube video in Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel XXX. Then my guest blogger gives step by step directions to replace ceramic tiles in your home.

Replace your ceramic tile for safety, function, or aesthetics

Image via: House of Turquoise

You Tube Video – How to Replace Ceramic Tile

Guest Blogger – How to replace ceramic tiles

Most of us have tiles fitted by professionals so we assume that we will need them to return should a tile come loose. In fact, changing a loose or broken tile can be a relatively simple job. With the correct tools, concentration and a little patience almost anybody is capable of fixing a loose tile themselves.

Step one: prepare

First of all, you will need to ensure that you have all the correct tools. While some tools can be replaced by something similar, it’s wise to take the time to source the proper tools. You will need an iron to loosen the tile, some purpose made adhesive, a rolling pin, putty knife, spirits and a rag to clean up when you’re finished.

Step two: loosen the tile

Begin by loosening the tile you want to replace. Be patient waiting for the tile to come completely off: better for it to take longer than for you to end up with a broken tile and nothing to go back in the hole. When the tile feels ready to be removed, gently remove it with the putty knife. Apply pressure evenly to ensure that you do not break the tile as they are surprisingly delicate.

Easy steps for replacing your ceramic tile

Image via: This Old House

Step three: remove adhesive

Now you want to remove the old adhesive. You can either use mineral spirits to do this or a specialised adhesive remover from a local hardware shop. Be thorough here as it is essential that the old adhesive is removed in order for the new adhesive to stick. Scrape away any excess with the putty knife, leaving a clean space for the replacement tiles.

Step four: reattach the tile

When the space is both clean and dry you are ready to apply the new adhesive. Do so evenly and relatively sparingly. You can then gently press the tile back into the space.

This is where the rolling pin comes in handily. You will want to remove any air trapped underneath the tile with the pin and then clean off any excess adhesive from around the sides of the tile. Again, you can use the spirits and rag to do this.

Beautify your space with ceramic tile

Image via: House and Home

Additional considerations

If the tile you are replacing is high off the ground then you may require a ladder – so choose carefully. Telescopic ladders are the most adjustable and dynamic options and they are also the most easily transported and stored.

Step ladders can offer greater stability for jobs such as this, however, as they offer a larger foothold than conventional ladder types. Make sure you do your research and get the right type of ladder for the job.

This guide is brought to you on behalf of BuyDirect4u. BuyDirect4u offer an array of items which are designed for use in the home and garden. For information on telescopic ladders and other essential household products such as tiling tools, visit their website today.

For more DIY Saturday’s on Stagetecture, click here.

For Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel, click here.