How to prepare loose flooring tiles? Tin Loose tiles be re-affixed? iii min read.

We have recently been asked quite a few times nearly the best way to fix loose floor tiles. Can a loose floor tile be fixed? The answer is sometimes yes! But more needs to be known before whatsoever repair is undertaken.

Pic shows loose tiles and grouting compromised.

The problem is, every single case is different. There could be a serious underlying cause such as water escapement or one tile may be loose, only it may exist indicative that the residue may soon follow! It may also be that the tiles were initially tiled badly. The grooming may have been sub-standard and the wrong materials used. Sometimes the agglutinative may have been old and perished. Even tiling in too hot conditions and adhesive drying out could be a factor.

Sometimes the sub-structure is also a contributing factor such as flooring movement or settling in. Nonetheless, in that location may exist several contributing factors to a tile becoming loose.

Normally, when tiles are laid correctly, they should last for many years. We would therefore advise to seek the advice of a professional tiler or builder to be certain that the problem is not major and is just a localised trouble.

In some cases the tile/s may demand to come off and may need to be re-bedded and grouted. In some instances this may exist difficult for various reasons including a sink or toilet may have to be moved out of the way first or the tile was embedded directly on to an underfloor heating element. Certainly in the case of whatsoever under-floor heating type element or water arrangement professional communication should exist obtained.

We recently came across this problem ourselves in our ain en-suite. We accept 60cmx60cm white polished porcelain on the floor and a small area had become loose and the grout had dislodged. There was a small move in four tiles, but the problem was spreading. The further problem was they ran nether a toilet and under a fixed unit of measurement with a basin and to move the toilet and the unit would accept involved getting a plumber in at additional price. Thereafter, fifty-fifty if the tiles could hands exist taken up, we take underfloor heating and if the the tiles couldn't be re-used, we would struggle to get a correct colour match. Over again, we would then demand a tiler and then the whole cost would have escalated!

Nosotros spole to a few of our contacts who recommended 'prepare-a-floor'. This is a tubed bonding adhesive for tile repairs and claims to be able to fix tile, marble, stone and wood floors. The method is slightly tricky, simply can exist handled by a competent DIY'er. Information technology involves drilling a few minor holes and and then squeezing the liquid in to those gaps and letting dry out before re-grouting. Seems simple? It was but we would advise the following:

  • Be conscientious and utilise correct size drill bit and avoid damaging the tiles.
  • If grout tin can exist scraped out, this may be better than drilling.
  • Take your time as this is a slightly catchy chore.
  • IMPORTANT- Isolate all electrical heating elements.
  • The liquid comes out very fast. Utilise slowly and have enough of builder blazon wipes and kitchen ringlet to clear immediately.
  • Practice non drill so deep to damage under-floor heating or damage sub-floor.
  • Avoid damaging tile edges.
  • Have something heavy to weight down tiles.
  • The instructions say to get out 24 hours but in our instance as nosotros used a lot of liquid, it took longer to dry out so go out as long as possible weighted down.
  • We wouldn't effort to use this product for walls.

What we tin can say is that the product seems to have worked. Months afterward, the tiles are nevertheless solid! And then much and so that we are thinking virtually adding this product to our range!

We can confirm that we exercise non have any amalgamation or endorsements with the company and then please read instructions carefully and ensure that this production is right for y'all. We used this product after having our particular problem assessed by a professional tiler.