Tile Repair

Cracked or loose tiles: local repair and replacement

A chipped edge, one broken tile or a tile that moves may suit a local repair when the surrounding base and finish remain serviceable. Hollow-sounding tiles need assessment of the affected area: the sound alone does not establish the cause, show that every tile needs lifting or establish that injection would be a suitable repair. We agree which tiles need removal, the base preparation included and the replacement boundary before starting.

See the March 2025 King William Street old tile replacement in our before, during and after photographs. For a larger new installation, the complete tiling services catalogue covers indoor and outdoor work.

Matching replacement tiles without retiling the whole area

Replacing a few damaged tiles is different from laying a connected room or renewing a whole floor. Wider work needs a layout, base and finished-height assessment; see floor tile installation and retiling. For a wall above a kitchen benchtop, splashback layout and joint preparation address the wall-specific detail.

Spare original tiles help with matching, but size, thickness, finish and colour still need checking. Age, wear and grout colour can make a replacement stand out. For discontinued tiles, we discuss an available near match, a contrasting replacement or retiling a defined section. Similar colour alone is not enough: the tile must fit the space and finished level. We agree the visible difference and repair boundary before removal; a perfect match is not guaranteed.

Tell us whether cracking, looseness or a hollow sound is recent, recurring or spreading, and whether you have spare matching tiles. We check adjoining tiles and movement joints as well as visible damage. A small repair enquiry does not need a prior diagnosis; repeated cracking or several loose tiles may need a broader base assessment rather than another isolated replacement.

Tile removal and the condition of the base beneath

Removing a tile can expose weak adhesive, an uneven base or damage that was not visible beforehand. We assess the exposed condition before reinstatement. Work proceeds on the agreed basis; if additional preparation or a larger repair is needed, the change is discussed with you first.

In a shower or another waterproofed area, removal also needs to consider the concealed membrane. A replacement tile does not repair a damaged waterproofing layer. If there is leaking or membrane damage, see shower leak repair and bathroom waterproofing. For sound tiles with worn joints, regrouting and resealing may be the relevant service.

Tile repair preparation, access and quote factors

Tile quantity, format, location, removal difficulty and matching stock affect the written quote. We clarify what is included for removing the affected tiles, base repairs, protection of nearby finishes and joint finishing, including whether disposal is covered. These items are confirmed before starting, even for a small repair.

Access to the room or walkway, adhesive and grout curing, and any waterproofing work determine the schedule and return-to-use point. An exterior repair may also depend on suitable weather. If matching tiles need sourcing, their availability is considered before confirming the installation sequence.

Using the repaired surface after handover

Keep traffic and loads off the repair until the confirmed curing period is complete. We explain cleaning and use restrictions for the installed materials and the repaired location. Avoid testing the new tile by standing on it or moving furniture across it before it is ready.

Report renewed cracking, movement or dampness, especially if it appears beyond the repair boundary. These changes may require a wider assessment. General questions about tile supply, joint care and work timing belong in the tiling FAQs and quotes and handover FAQs.