A cracked floor tile is not a good sight to behold especially if it is very noticeable. When floor tiles crack, they create a gap that can become filled with dirt and dust easily and may even become a breeding ground for bacteria and other nasty microorganisms. When a cracked floor tile damages the outward appearance of the floor, there are some steps that can be followed to cover it up instead of replacing it with a new one. Read on for instructions.
What You'll Need
What You'll Need
- Tile poultice, cement fillings, or wax sealers
- Wooden block
- Sander
- Color powder
- Potted plant
- Throw rug
- Furniture
Step 1 – Vacuum the Cracks
Use a vacuum cleaner to suck out all dust and dirt trapped inside the cracks as these may get in the way when filling the cracks with sealers or fillers. If there are larger particles or debris inside the cracks that cannot be vacuumed, use a stick, metal wire or any other stiff object thin enough to penetrate the cracks and get rid of the trapped debris. Make sure that the floor is thoroughly cleaned before proceeding with the next steps.
Step 2 – Fill the Cracks
Use any of the following to fill in the cracks: cement filling, wax sealer, or tile poultice. Mix a sufficient amount of tile poultice or cement filler. Carefully fill every crack with the filler making sure that the material does not get in contact with the tile surface as much as possible to avoid more cleaning up to do. Use a wooden block to press the filler inside the cracks thoroughly. When air spaces are left inside the cracks, it may cause the filler to create a bulge during the drying process. Remove any excess material that oozes out of the cracks and allow it to dry.
Step 3 – Sand and the Dried Filler
Sand the filler thoroughly until smooth. Make sure that the surface is level with the tile as well. Sand any protruding surfaces until every surface is even.
Step 4 – Apply Color Powder
Use color powder that matches the exact hue or at least nearly the exact hue of the tile in order to cover up the cracks nice and well. Use your hands to apply the color powder. Apply an even amount and make sure it covers the filler completely.
Step 5 – Try Other Alternatives
There are also other much simpler ways to cover the cracked floor tile, especially when it is very hard to conceal. Try covering the tile with a throw rug, a potted plant or any furniture if the tile is found in an ideal location.
Tips:
If the tile cannot be covered up with fillers, it may be best to replace it with a new one instead. Floor tiles are sometimes best to remove when they are damaged to a certain extent that covering them up does not work. If such is the case, read a DIY guide on how to replace cracked floor tiles, an easy DIY project, instead of hiring an expensive home improvement builder to do the job.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
