Replace a cracked floor tile
One cracked tile can be replaced without redoing the floor. The job is getting it out without damaging the tiles around it: cut out the grout first, then break the cracked tile from the middle with a hammer and chisel and work outward. A spare tile from the original job makes the rest easy. Wear safety glasses for this one. Tile shards fly farther and faster than you'd expect when they break.
Why the grout comes out first
Floor tile sits in a layer of mortar called thinset, with grout filling the joints. The grout ties neighboring tiles together, so if you start chiseling before the grout is cut, the shock can crack the tiles next door. Cutting the grout out first isolates the broken one.
A crack running through several tiles in a line, or tiles that sound hollow when you tap them, usually points to movement or poor support underneath. A new tile will crack again until that's fixed.
Why tiles crack
One cracked tile, often with a chip at the impact point.
Tile that wasn't fully supported by mortar cracks under load.
Cracks running across several tiles point to the subfloor or slab.
Tile packed tight against walls can crack as it expands.
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| One cracked tile, often after a drop | Impact | Replace the tile. |
| A crack across several tiles in a line | Floor movement | Have the floor checked first. |
| Tile sounds hollow when tapped | Poor mortar coverage | Replace it, and tap around for others. |
| Cracks near walls or doorways | No expansion gap | Have a tile setter look. |
Swap the tile, step by step
- Cut out the groutPut painter's tape on the edges of the neighboring tiles to protect them, then cut the grout all the way around the cracked tile, down to the thinset, with a grout saw.
- Break it from the middleWith safety glasses on, tap the center of the tile with the chisel and hammer to break it, then work outward. If it won't break cleanly, drill a few holes through the center with a masonry or carbide bit first. Angle the chisel toward the middle of the tile, never toward the good ones.
- Clean out the old mortarChip and scrape the old thinset down far enough that the new tile, with fresh thinset, will sit level with its neighbors. Vacuum out the dust.
- Set the new tileSpread thinset with the notched trowel and butter the back of the tile. Press it in with a slight twist, aiming for full coverage with no hollow spots, since a hollow spot may be what cracked the last one.
- Level it and let it cureLay a straightedge across the new tile and its neighbors and press it until they sit flush. Clean mortar out of the joints while it's still soft, then let it cure as long as the bag says, often 24 hours.
- Grout the jointsTake off the painter's tape and pack grout into the joints with the float, working at an angle to the joints. Shape them to match the rest of the floor.
- Wipe off the hazeOnce the grout firms up, often 15 to 30 minutes (check the bag), wipe the excess with a barely damp sponge. When it dries, buff off the haze with a dry cloth. Keep foot traffic off until it cures.
Watch it done
- The new tile sits flush with its neighbors under a straightedge
- No hollow sound or rocking when you step on it
- Grout joints are full and shaped like the rest of the floor
- No grout haze left on the tile surface
If the new tile sits high or low
If the new tile sits high, lift it before the thinset sets, scrape out some mortar and reset it. If it sits low, add a little more thinset underneath.
If the grout color doesn't match at first, give it a few days; many grouts lighten as they cure. A grout colorant can even it out if it doesn't.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A tile setter typically charges $150–$400 to replace one or a few tiles, depending on access and matching.
Find a tile installer near youSomething else going on?
Tile replacement questions
Can I replace one tile without removing others?
Yes. Cut the grout first so the tiles around it aren't disturbed, then break out only the cracked one.
What if I can't find a matching tile?
Take a piece to a tile store. If there's no match, some people borrow a tile from a hidden spot, like under the fridge or in a closet, and put the near-match there instead.
How long before I can walk on it?
Follow the thinset and grout labels. Often it's about a day before light foot traffic, and longer for a full cure.
Can I just fill the crack instead?
A tile repair kit can hide a hairline crack for a while, but a cracked tile can break further and let water under it.
If I rent, should I replace a cracked tile?
Tell your landlord instead. A cracked tile can point to floor problems they'll want to know about.
How do I remove a cracked tile?
Cut out the grout first, then break the tile from the middle with a hammer and chisel and work outward.