How can we salvage our poorly done tile job to extend its lifespan before resorting to more drastic measures like laminate or retile?
Asked by Ercília Gonçalves 
7 months ago
Last Updated: May 21, 2024
We’re dealing with a not-so-great tile job in our 7-year-old house. The tiles are cracking, unevenly laid, and the grout is chipping.
We’re thinking of renting out the place and want to make the flooring last as long as possible. Any suggestions to prolong its life before we have to replace it with laminate or redo the tile entirely?
Would steam cleaning the grout and resealing help? I’ve seen videos on replacing specific cracked tiles – we have some extras for those. How do we deal with chipping grout?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Chances are, more tiles will crack in the future. If the tiling job was poorly done, the only option is to redo it.
Yeah, we thought so! We just want the distance to be as far as possible down the road 😅
Since you’ll be renting it out, I recommend using sheet vinyl, linoleum, congoleum, or marmoleum. In my experience, renters tend not to take care of the property. Focus on essential repairs to meet safety and building code standards. Expect wear and tear from your renters.
I don’t think that’s accurate.
I’ve been managing 3 rental properties for over 30 years now. While it’s rare, there have been a few tenants who treat the place like their own. Out of all my tenants, only 3 have received their full deposit back upon moving out. One of them left the place in such great condition that I didn’t make them wait for the refund – I wrote the check on the spot on their checkout day.
If you have cracked tiles, the best solution is to replace them. As for chipped grout, you can remove it with various tools and reapply.
I’d make sure to clean the grout and apply a new sealant.
You sure there aren’t any foundation issues… I mean if the tiles are cracking then something must be causing stress on them… even with a poor tile installation they shouldn’t just crack… check around the corners and edges for drywall tape cracks
Hey there, I’m not entirely sure. I’ve done some research on the signs and the only one I see is the uneven flooring. The bathroom was poorly done as well. We’ll need to scrape and re-grout in there too. I checked the walls and there are no cracks except in this one area. They also forgot to tape before painting the roof where the sheets meet. The cracks there are symmetrical though. Honestly, I mentioned the same thing to my husband. It seems like it was built hastily or by inexperienced people and I’m concerned it might end up being a money pit. But since we’re interested in real estate investment, better stick with what you know, right? So far we haven’t encountered any major issues
Hey, sorry about the dust up there with . The only crack I managed to find was up there.
Oh, I also saw up on the ceiling. By the way, I saw the crown molding starting to separate a little.
Hey there, I saw in the bathroom earlier.
Hey
Hey , that tile work looks pretty rough… I would scrape out all the corner grout and just use some grout caulk.
Hey , is it true that even with ceramic tile they don’t usually break?
Is not supposed to… there should be absolutely no movement.
Grout caulking…available in various colors to complement most grout options
How much tile? Maybe consider switching to vinyl. Our past renters have been great and valued a well-maintained home.
I believe 4 tiles cracked. We have extra tiles for replacement
That’s okay. You could break those. Insufficient mortar underneath can lead to cracking.
It sounds like that was the problem. We also have a few other empty ones, maybe 2 or 3
Check if the builder left any extra tiles. If so, hire a professional to remove the damaged tile, clean the area, and install a new one with fresh grout. If there are multiple issues, it indicates a problem with the initial floor installation. In that case, consider covering the floor with high-quality sheet vinyl. Unless you have a concrete slab, the floor shouldn’t have these issues. If possible, inspect underneath the tile to identify the root cause of the problem before taking any action to fix it.
Hey, we actually have some spare tiles available. Should be sufficient to replace the cracked ones. But I’m not sure how to deal with the grout that’s coming off. What were you suggesting about a slab? I’m a bit confused.
You know, a lot of houses are actually built on concrete slabs
Whoever is taking care of the tile repairs, I suggest having them remove the grout, replace the tiles, re-grout the entire area, and seal it properly. But first, address the underlying issue because it’s clear the floor is shifting. I had to handle a similar situation for a client once. They had some work done and the plumber went under the crawl space, cutting joist openings to run the plumbing. This compromised the support and floor integrity. We had to bring in a city architect to assess it and provide the necessary code-compliant repairs before proceeding with the tile work and re-grouting
There are companies that specialize in grout renewal and may be able to replace a single tile when needed. Touch up the grout with matching grout or caulking, as previously mentioned. Try your best to fix any loose tiles. If these methods don’t work, consider covering the tiles with different materials. ‘t spend too much on maintenance before you start earning rental income. Finding the right balance is key for property maintenance.
What’s hidden under the tile? Is it cement or wood floor? That’s a good place to start. If it’s wood, you’ll need to give it time to settle.
Looks like it was supposed to be cement for the new construction, but that one photo definitely shows a piece of wood. Wonder if a stick accidentally got mixed in with the grout mixture 🫠
Dude. I’d definitely have the builder come back out there, especially if you still have a warranty for the work
Got a warranty? I would reach out to the contractor first… if you mess with it they might void any warranty they offer… otherwise you’ll have to start chipping away at the grout… seems like a lot of cracks for a new remodel
Lol, 7 years have gone by! It’s not exactly ideal, but hey, no one can guarantee anything for 7 years.