How to fix broken patio tiles?

[kchambers]

I have a rental that the tennants have moved out, and its time for me to fix 20 years of their damage... Its almost done - except for this one - what to do with some broken tiles on the entrance patio....

I am not wanting a huge expense on this one - as I have already updated / fixed so much... Its time to get it on the market. Let someone enjoy this home...

The tiles are cracked - they are solid / not moving - just does not look as nice as it should be (the pictures show the long crack from the door to the edge and then runs along the front of it... A few mm thick and a few mm deep. These tiles were laid in concrete and are at least 15 - 20 mm thick. (Yes I need to clean the tiles before anything).

I am not wanting to retile or replace them -wanting an easier fix.

I have thought of two options - and want to run these past the community for thoughts or even other suggestions.

First Option.

I could fill the cracks - maybe builders bog and sand them smooth.

Then use concrete / patio paint to bring a new life... Something like Berger Jet Dry 4L Heavy Duty Deep Charcoal Paving Paint - Bunnings Australia

Second Option

Fill the cracks or not - but use epoxy (stuff you do floors in the garage). Something like Dy-Mark 4L Slate Water-Based Epoxy Coat Garage Floor Kit - Bunnings Australia

I need a hard wearing solution - its the traffic area - people coming in and out (and certainly washing machines / fridges at some stage). Little concerned on epoxy / paint because I hear stories of flaking / peeling etc.

Luckily the area is undercover... Well it is a patio and there is a roof over it - of course rain would come in on an angle... Guess a non slip surface might be good...

Thoughts on my options or something else ?

[EricL]

Hello @kchambers 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your patio tiles.

Are they pavers with a rough surface finish or tiles with a ceramic gloss finish? If they have a rough non ceramic finish, I suggest using a pressure washer to clean the surface and remove all the debris that is on the surface and between the cracks. I recommend using Earl's 1kg Concremate Expanding Cement to fill in the cracks. The Berger Jet Dry 4L Heavy Duty Deep Charcoal Paving Paint is specifically designed for concrete and paved surfaces. They will not work on ceramic tiled surfaces.

The Dy-Mark 4L Slate Water-Based Epoxy Coat Garage Floor Kit is automatically eliminated as an option as it is designed for interior use only. If the surface is made of tiles with a ceramic gloss surface, I'm afraid your only choice is to remove the broken pieces and replace them with new ones. There are no products available for painting outdoor tiles. Tiles have a glazed or water-impervious coating which prevents the paint from adhering to them.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[kchambers]

They are tiles - around 8cm in width... They are not ceramic nor do they have a gloss on them. They are probably 50 years old... I will see if I can find out more about the tiles - as i did find a box of spares.... (not enough of course)

[EricL]

Hi @kchambers 

You can try a water absorption test and see if the surface of the tile is porous. Place a few drops of water on the surface of the tile and wait a few minutes. If the water has beaded up and is still on the surface of the tile, odds are it has a sealer underneath or is hydrophobic. But if the water is fully absorbed, then it's safe to say that the surface is porous. Make sure to try it on several tiles and not just on one surface. Please let me know what the results are.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[kchambers]

I did a water test... on tiles in situ and a tile in a box (spare) that I have cleaned up.

So afew drops of water on the patio - after 2 or 3 minutes - 

 It really looked like the water was absorbed...  Remeber these tiles have been there for around 50 years!

I found a box containing a few spares - they measure 7.5cm square. All the other tiles in boxes were Johnson tiles - these are loose so not 100% sure they are from Johnson - but highly likely.

The face to the touch is rough - certainly not like a high gloss tile... They have a matt finish - and trying to see any coating under sunlight reflection - nothing there... 

Water test on this new tile was different - the water was not absorbed...

 

As I now have a tile that is unused untouched - inspecting it - the rear face (what goes into the concrete or glue) -feels to the touch exactly the same characteristics of the top surface

 And inspecting the edge of the tile there is no glaze line visible.

 

Really wanting to just cover them over - something like the old pebble mix product but smoother - and have read epoxy can be used outdoors - just not the one bunnings sells for garages...

I want to change the color and just hide the cracks - something easy to apply like an epoxy or paint would be ideal so I can move on quickly to other jobs... Otherwise my last option is just to tile over the top of this. Problem being it will raise the level 7-12mm which would leave a lip that I would need to address for tripping...

Still looking for ideas...

[JacobZ]

Hi @kchambers,

It looks like you have about 10-11 tiles that are cracked. 

How many spare tiles do you have?

If you had enough to simply remove and replace the broken tiles, would that be a suitable option?

The tiles don't appear to be glazed. It looks more likely that they have a hydrophobic sealer that has worn off the old tiles over time, allowing them to absorb water. 

The side view of the paver certainly looks like it is concrete, which would make concrete and paver paint an option. Your description certainly sounds like they could be concrete pavers. 

Do they feel like concrete? 

Allow me to tag @Nailbag, @Jewelleryrescue and @Dave-1 for their thoughts.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @kchambers 

I was thinking about your broken tiles and possible solutions. I dont know of anyway that could hide the cracks. You do mention some pebblecrete coverng them as a fix. I was thinking of tiling over the lot of the tiles instead? I have tiles that have had a second layer of tiles installed over them and they have held up well (by previous owners) As your cracked tiles stretch for a distance it may be an option instead of the pebblecrete.

Dave

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @kchambers 

Buy mat and cover it.

The new owners will want to get in there and re reno it to their standards any way this include the work you already did.

I used to do maintenace for landlords and seen it so many times for example paint the whole house for the new owners with professional painters the new owners just move in and re paint it even after they were told it was just painted and the fresh  paint smell was in the air.

If those tiles are 50 years old  than the house is also 50 years old who doesn't think there is going to be some wear and tear as long as the house fully functional.    

One last point is some people like the older patina on in and around a house.   How many buyers do you need answer is =  just "1" that likes it as is.

a Simplistic but a realistic answer for your consideration.

[kchambers]

Thanks everyone - lots of questions... hopefully I get them all....

Yes they do feel like concrete

The house is actually 120 years old - this renovation of the tiles at the front of the house occured 50 years ago. I have already renovated and modernised the house completely - moved walls / new kaboodle kitchen / new paint / windows etc... Looks a lot younger than 50 years... But as I have already spent so much time on it, and cost - I just want to complete it now...

I will be renting it, not selling it - the last tennants moved out - they were there for 20 years.... Whole story there about the weekly cost was well under market rates, tried to look after them, property manager not doing their job, and so much damage to the house went unreported... Wont bore you with those details.

I dont have enough tiles to replace the broken ones

i dont mind a quick fix now, and retiling in a year or two - but working on this house everyday for 6 months and not incurring income, etc - I just want to move on asap. 

Think I will paint the tiles, if it works great, and if not, I will just retile over it next year.

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @kchambers 

Painting does sound like a resonable option. I think @EricL or @JacobZ mentioned it earlier.

I went to a paint supply buisness in my local industrial area when I wanted to paint my patio. It may be worthwhile to try the same with your tiles? I havnt heard a lot of outside tiles holding up to the weather after being painted but they may have an industrial type paint that will handle a little better. Be prepared to by a quantity of paint (15L I think I had to) tho.

Dave