How to fix a tile without replacing it?

[Cozzy70]

 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Cozzy70. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about repairing a tile.

Would it be possible to take another photo for us slightly zoomed out so our members can better gauge the extent of the damage? That way, they'd be better informed and able to offer helpful suggestions.

It's certainly possible to repair a tile instead of replacing it. I'd suggest filling the damaged section with Selleys 50g Knead It Multipurpose Epoxy Putty could be an option. Once the putty is applied, you can carefully mask off the surrounding tile and sand the putty flush with the tile's surface. You'd then be able to paint the putty in a similar colour to the tile.

I'm keen to hear more about the damage, see some other images and assist further with your project.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Cozzy70]

Hi MitchellMc,

hopefully this picture is better.

Regards Cozzy70

 

[EricL]

Hi @Cozzy70

Thanks for re-posting that photo of your tiled floor. The recommendation made by @MitchellMc in using Selleys 50g Knead It Multipurpose Epoxy Putty is spot on. The epoxy putty is very convenient to use, you just need to knead it in your fingers and when it is totally mixed, you just press it into the damaged area of the tile. Please make sure that the damaged spot is free of dust and debris before applying the epoxy putty.

Try to make the repair as small as possible and as low as possible. This will save you from having to sand off too much of the epoxy. I then propose going to your store's paint department and grabbing some colour cards that are close to the colour of your tile. See which one is the closest in colour and ask the paint specialist to mix you a small batch.

Using a small brush, I suggest painting the repair patch and feathering your strokes so that it blends in with the tile finish. I recommend a minimum of two coats so that it will last a while before you need to touch up the finish.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[caxelby]

Hi Mitchell, 

I assume the same epoxy process can be used to fill screw holes in tile? I am wanting to change a towel rail to a heated rail, but the existing screws need to be moved about 100mm over. So this epoxy would be what I use to fill the old holes? What kind of paint would I need to use over the top, the tiles are glossy white. Thanks

Catherine

[MitchellMc]

Hi @caxelby,

You certainly can use that putty. I'd probably use this Rust-Oleum Tub And Tile Touch Up Kit to touch it up. That paint is for porcelain, but it should work on the putty. There's no specific paint product for that purpose. The other option would be to spray some White Knight 310g White Gloss Rust Guard Epoxy Enamel Spray Paint into it's cap and use a fine brush to apply it.

I just wanted to point out that you're not going to be able to achieve an invisible repair, but it will certainly look better than open holes.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Nic_DIY]

The tips in this thread have been very helpful, thankyou. Can I also use the Knead It Putty to fill this tile that chipped off when removing the old shower screen. I know it won’t look the best but it’s thankfully in very inconspicuous spot. It’s inside the shower just up from the shower base. This shower is in a pool house so will rarely get used (ie. won’t be used daily). I will be painting the shower base and the putty (if I can use it)

 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Nic_DIY. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about repairing a tile.

In a shower base, it would be best to replace the tile and re-establish the grouting. You could fill the area with epoxy putty, but since this isn't just an aesthetic repair (it needs to be waterproof), I have concerns about you filling the area.

It might be worth trying to find some similar tiles to cut and replace the broken ones. Alternatively, you could have a tiler do so for you.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[Nic_DIY]

Thanks so much for the quick reply @MitchellMc , I appreciate it.

Ahh that’s a shame. I do have tiles, glue and grout, just nothing to cut the tile with, so was hoping for a quick fix. I’ll go down the tiling route then, thankyou for the advice.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Nic_DIY, 

We hire tile cutters if that would be of assistance.

Mitchell