replacing a floor tile

[picksbigwagon]

I have a floor tile that popped up in the kitchen, what do I need to do to fix it? Tools needed, equipment, etc......The whole 16" tile pops right up and out the other tiles around it are fine.........thanks in advance

[jeffreyd]

ceramic?

[picksbigwagon]

yes ceramic tile.....in fact it is a half tile, 8x16" none of the mortar is stuck to the bottom of the tile either.....

[Ralph Wiggum]

Getting the tile out is the hard part, so you're most of the way there!

I just did a few broken ones in my kitchen. This was my first time, too, so I'll let someone more experienced chime in.

[stick]

(Not an expert, but I've done tile projects, and have replaced a large one in the past.) If the tile is in good condition, great. Make sure the back is clean and doesn't have any big chunks of mortar...if so, try to clear the mortar off (sounds like you don't have any though). Make sure you chisel out the surrounding grout, and any mortar on the floor. I used a cold chisel to do this. Once clean, I then mixed and spread mortar along the floor, and a little to "back butter" the piece of tile. Put it in place, wiggle it to settle it in and let it dry. Then grout as normal...trying to match the color of the grout if tinted. That's about it. Pretty simple overall.

[Stratosman]

Stick has it right on. If it were me the bigger concern would by why it "popped" up. If it were installed correctly it would never come up without a jackahammer....The way you explained the mortar only on the floor and not on the tile makes me beleive that the setter combed the thinset out and let it dry too long before he set the tile. Hopefully this is the only one you run into. I'm guessin you inspected all the other areas for loose/cracked grout too? this is an indication of loose tiles or inadequate floor support.

Good luck!

[nofishfisherman]

Yeah I'd guess dry mortar and possibly a combination of some flex in the floor that popped it out.

Stick's process is dead on for the repair, pretty easy and shouldn't take away from too much fishing time.

[picksbigwagon]

that was pretty slick, used a cold steel chisel and removed the old mortar and then used a cutter to remove the old grout.....tomorrow night I should a new skill in the ol' tool box