If one of your Porcelain tiles has cracked due to normal wear and tear or an unlucky accident, you do not have to keep it that way. Repairing a damaged tile can be surprisingly simple, and you can even replace a single tile if you prefer not to fix it. In this post, we'll show you how to repair a broken tile the professional way using 2-part epoxy. However, we always recommend getting a professional opinion from an expert to ensure you don't damage the tile further. This will ensure you are putting your best foot forward when fixing or replacing your tiles.
Epoxy for Hairline Cracks and Chips on Porcelain Tiles
Purchase a 2-part epoxy repair kit from a hardware store or online. Epoxy is a hardening substance that you use to join two pieces of cracked tile together. While 1-part epoxy kits are available, 2-part epoxy kits are generally of superior quality and will hold your damaged tile together for longer.
Step 1) Using paper towels and a cleaning solution, clean your cracked porcelain tile. 1 or 2 sheets of paper towel, soaked with rubbing alcohol or Oxiclean, soak the paper towel in water. Then, using a moist paper towel, clean the cracked tile's surface. When you're finished, scrub the tile with a soft-bristled brush and rinse with water.
Cleaning the fractured tile will remove dust and filth and guarantee that the epoxy adheres to the tile's surface.
Step 2) Combine the two epoxies on a spare sheet of cardboard. Put on a pair of latex gloves. Scrape the epoxy mixture from each of the two bottles onto a sheet of cardboard with an ice lolly stick. Stir the two components of epoxy together until thoroughly combined. This initiates a chemical process that hardens the epoxy.
Step 3) Smear the combined epoxy along the tile's hairline crack. Scoop up some of the mixed epoxy with your stick. Apply the epoxy on the tile and gently distribute a thin epoxy coating along the crack's length. The epoxy will then penetrate the crack. Make sure you've also applied epoxy to around 12 centimetres (0.20 in) on either side of the crack.
Step 4) Allow seven days for the epoxy to be completely set. The epoxy should begin to set and dry in as little as 15-30 minutes. However, it takes a long time to cure and harden entirely. Read the directions that came with the epoxy to determine how long you should wait for it to fully cure or give it a week to be safe.
Step 5) Paint the epoxy to conceal the repair and incorporate it into your tiling. It might be difficult to conceal the repair completely, but painting the epoxy with an even remotely similar colour can help. Find an oil-based paint that closely matches the Porcelain tile's hue. After roughening up the epoxy and surrounding tile with sandpaper, apply the paint using a little brush.
Note: We always recommend getting in touch with a professional before attempting to repair porcelain tiles.
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