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Should I Repair My Broken Tile?

bath2There are good reasons why so many homeowners are going in for tile floors and walls. The material is strong, relatively cheap, easy to clean, and the designs available leave little to be desired.

But no material is impervious to wear and tear, and accidents do happen. Another advantage of tile is that if a few tiles break (assuming the rest of the installation is sound), the repair is localized and efficient. But should you attempt such a repair yourself, and save the money you would normally spend on a tile specialist? What do you need to know about repairing your own tile, and what kind of results can you expect?

Finding answers to these questions will depend on a few basic factors. Having a good idea of what DIY tile repair involves will help you to make an informed decision.

What type of tile do you have?

Today’s tile market is diverse. There are tiles of many different materials, styles, cuts and thickness. Ceramic tile is very common, but it’s not unusual for tile to be made of vinyl, natural stone, or even porcelain. The procedure for installing and/or repairing each of these tile types may vary—so before you dive into the repair, understand what type of tile you have and whether there are any special techniques or procedures involved with that type of tile.

Where is the damage located?

When it comes to tile repair, location is a big factor. Some broken tiles are relatively easy to repair, while others are in harder to reach locations. If the repair looks difficult, bringing a pro tile installation specialist in for the job may give you more dependable results. After all, botched repair jobs could be visible for a long time.

Will you be able to find the right replacement tiles?

Tile floors can last for years or even decades with no maintenance apart from routine cleaning. But if you didn’t stock extra tiles at the time of installation, you’ll have to locate the exact style and type of tile in order to make a seamless repair. This isn’t always as easy as it sounds, since tile companies are constantly changing the styles in their catalogues and warehouses. A professional tile installer may have ways of locating the tile even when you can’t—but this would usually take the DIY approach out of the equation.

What’s the right way to deal with my broken tile?

Tile is, without a doubt, one of the best values out there in terms of flooring and home accents. When a breakage does occur, homeowners need to know how to resolve it quickly and effectively, without disturbing the integrity of the installation.

If you have some experience, and your tile repair looks relatively straightforward, DIY can be a good way to go. But if you want to bank on excellent results, and avoid the stress of having to complete the repair yourself, hiring a pro is also an intelligent decision.

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