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Page 48 — Floors, Tiles & Surfaces

How to Fix a Loose Floor Tile

A loose floor tile that rocks or sounds hollow when tapped has lost its adhesive bond to the subfloor. Regluing it before it cracks or someone trips on it is a simple repair.

Tile Adhesive
Henry makes a reliable floor tile adhesive that works on most common tile types and subfloor surfaces.
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Grout
Matches the existing grout color to finish the edges after the tile is reset.
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Putty Knife
Removes old adhesive from the subfloor and the back of the tile.
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1
Pry Up the Tile and Clean Both Surfaces

Slide a putty knife under the edge of the loose tile and gently pry it up working slowly around all four edges. Scrape all old adhesive off the subfloor and off the back of the tile. Both surfaces need to be clean and flat for the new adhesive to bond.

2
Apply Adhesive and Set the Tile

Inspect the subfloor for moisture or softness before regluing. Spread a thin even layer of tile adhesive on the subfloor and on the back of the tile. Press the tile firmly into place and align it with surrounding tiles. Put something heavy on top for 24 hours.

3
Regrout the Edges

Once the adhesive has fully cured, mix grout to match the existing joints and apply it around all four edges. Press firmly with your finger or a grout float. Wipe excess grout off the tile surface with a damp sponge before it dries.

When to Replace Instead of Reglue

If the tile is cracked or chipped, regluing will hold it down but the crack will still be visible. Replace a cracked tile — see Page 22 for that process.

How to Replace a Damaged Laminate Flooring PlankHow to Fix a Cracked TileHow to Fix a Squeaky Floorboard
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