Tile Repair Part 1

Tile:
Chipped, Broken, Missing, cracked or a hollow sound?
I'll walk you through this.
Now remember this is one of the more expensive repairs around the house.You need an assortment of tools. (See photo 1).→
The hollow sound is because the adhesive didn't bond with the floor/tile. Tap on the tile it will sound hollow! If it's cracked this could be an additional headache, most likely the floor has a crack also. This must be fixed prior to setting any new tiles, they will just crack again. You need to patch the floor over the crack w/ mesh tape
(See Photo) 2→
Use a little thinset on the floor and spread over the tape. This should prevent any cracks down the road.
1st: Do you have the original tiles for replacement? I sure hope so, because it's almost impossible to find a couple of new tiles that will match. You might have to take out more tiles and create a design of sorts to make it look right. I hope not, normally when tile is set the 1st time they leave a couple of tiles just for this. Next would be grout, now this isn't as critical as the original tiles, it might as well be. You can match the grout down the road, but it's a little tougher, you may have to play with the color a bit to get it to match. You know a sample of this and that, kinda thing. With any luck you have some old grout laying around next to those tiles! Next would be the size and the ability to cut to size the replacement tile(s). You can rent a wet saw at the old faithful hardware store, or some Home Depots will do the cut for you if you mark off the actual cut yourself, (sorry they don't come to the house and mark it). They also make cutting boards for straight cuts, (See Photo 3) → this you have to buy. You will need a pointer, (a type of putty knife), (See photo 4)↓
spacers, measure the distance of the grout already between your existing tiles for the size. They are standard sizes, 1/16", 1/8", 1/4", etc.
If there are going to be cuts. Nippers, you know ask! (See Photo 5)→
an old bucket, (this will depend on how much repair is needed. Small job small bucket, 2 gal. Large job, 5 gal. Get a bag/box of "thin set" don't worry about the color! this is basically the glue (ask). It comes as a powder that you add water and an acrylic additive, (again ask) some thin sets come pre-mixed w/ it. A sponge, when you get in the aisle, they are always there, their yellowish-orange, rubber gloves, no, not the ones that are surgical, the kind your mom washed the dishes in.
Get a rubber"float" this is used for grouting, (photo 6)↓
and knee pads, they aren't critical, but save your knees,(you can use the seat pad you take to the ball game, or a thick towel). Next how big is the tile?
We'll start with the floor repair.
You'll need a notched trowel for larger jobs,(photo 7)→
but for a couple of tiles you can use the pointer.
Okay, We're ready to start.
1st: Get a hammer, PLEASE get safety glasses , and an old towel, rag, etc. Lay the rag over the tile and smack it in the center w/ the hammer, not enough to send a nail through a wall, but hard enough to break the tile.Remove the towel is it cracked? Good, now remove the big pieces carefully, they might be sharp on the edge. Try to not break any areas that are "cuts". The part that might go under the door frame, dishwasher etc. This will save some time later. Get all the pieces out using the pointer as a scraper. Be careful not to disturb the surrounding tiles (you know how neighbor tiles can get)! It must be really clean and free of any stuff. A vacuum comes in handy here (be sure and get the pieces that flew away from the work area) or ouch! later. Scrape the old grout off the floor (pointer again) see how handy that tool is! When the floor is clean take the sponge and a clean bucket of water and wipe out the area, Let this set until it's dry. Do all tiles at the same time, When we start the reset, you don't want to stop to pop another tile. Check for hollow ones also. Some say you can use an oil based paint to just color the chip. Come on, We're gonna do this right! Next resetting. See ya' then!