How to Replace a Wall Tile

In this video, This Old House tile contractor Joe Ferrante explains how to replace a wall tile.

Steps for replacing wall tile

1. Protect work area with canvas drop cloth
2. Use a utility knife to score grout joints around the cracked tiles
3. Loosen cracked tile using cold chisel and hammer; remove loose tiles
4. Use trowel to scrape the wall clean of loose debris
5. Dry-fit the new tile to the wall
6. If necessary, use tile nippers to remove spacer lugs from edge of tile
7. Smooth edges of tile by rubbing it with a rubbing stone
8. Mix thinset mortar with latex additive
9. Apply thinset to wall with trowel
10. Spread thinset on back of tile and press tile to wall; repeat for all replacement tiles
11. Wait 30 minutes, then mix tile grout, following manufacturer’s directions
12. Use a rubber float to force grout into the joints between the tiles
13. Apply grout with fingertip to fill hard-to-reach areas
14. Wait 10 minutes, then clean the grout from the tile using a damp sponge
15. Wait overnight, then buff off haze from the tile using a clean, dry sponge

Tools