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How to Fix Chipped Tile (Before a Tiny Crack Turns into a Costly Repair)

How to Fix Chipped Tile (Before a Tiny Crack Turns into a Costly Repair)

6 minute read

As durable as tile is, chips and cracks can happen from time to time. But calling your contractor for a tedious and expensive replacement isn't always necessary. If you know how to fix chipped tile floor and wall installations yourself you can save money and perform simple, long-lasting repairs that only take a few minutes to do. Get ready to learn what causes tile to chip, the tools you'll need to complete the job and when replacement makes more sense than repair in this step-by-step guide to repairing tile cracks and chips.

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What Causes a Chipped Tile

Tiles chip for all sorts of reasons. It's usually the result of accidentally dropping a heavy item or dragging furniture without protective furniture pads across the floor. However, what's behind or beneath the tile and how the tiles were originally installed can also lead to cracking and chipping over time.

If joists are too far apart to support the installation or if subfloors are sloped or uneven, tiles can sag and chip, especially underfoot. Poor installation practices, such as not spreading the mortar evenly, not letting a concrete base fully cure before installation, or not laying the tiles flush can also cause chipping.

And sometimes, it's a sign of an even bigger problem. In wet and high-moisture areas like kitchens, bathrooms, pools, and steam rooms, tiles can lift and chip if water gets behind or beneath them.

Glass, marble, and ceramic tiles are more prone to chipping than porcelain, but all types of tile can benefit from a DIY repair when the chip results from general wear and tear. If the underlying cause reflects a deeper behind-the-scenes issue, a replacement will be necessary, no matter the material.

Tools You'll Need Before You Start

To fix chipped tile, you'll need a handful of affordable tools and materials:

  • A two-part epoxy paste, acrylic, or resin kit suitable for your tile material
  • Touch-up paint to color-match the repaired area
  • Artist's brush
  • Painter's tape
  • A mixing stick (if the epoxy or resin requires mixing)
  • Small putty knife or plastic applicator to apply the product
  • Extra-fine grit sandpaper or sanding block

It's also best to have gloves to protect your hands and clean rags to wipe up accidental spills.

There are different types of epoxy for chipped tile, so before you attempt to conduct a repair, make sure you choose a product suitable for the tile material you're working with. Some products are best for ceramic, some are better for porcelain, and some can be used universally to fix a variety of different tile materials. Always check the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure you're buying a suitable product.

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Step-by-Step: Repairing a Small Chip

Fixing chipped tile to achieve a flawless result is a simple process that anyone can learn how to do. Whether you're fixing a large format matte porcelain tile or a mini mosaic like our Blue 11x11 Glass Glossy Matte Mosaic Tile, the process is the same.

Here's how to fix chipped tile step by step:

1
Clean and prepVacuum or dust to remove all dirt and debris, then use rubbing alcohol to clean the chip.
2
Tape the areaApply painter's tape around the chipped area, leaving enough space to blend the epoxy around the chip.
3
Mix the epoxy and hardenerRepair kits work in different ways. Depending on the formula you choose, you may need to mix the epoxy and the hardener, or you may have to add the color tints to the epoxy at this stage of the process.
4
Apply the epoxyApply directly to the chip using a putty knife or a small plastic applicator. Press it firmly into the fracture and scrape off the excess so that it fills inside the chip rather than sits atop it.
5
Remove the painter's tapeDo this while the epoxy is still wet, otherwise it may be difficult to remove.
6
Let it cureCheck the manufacturer's instructions to determine how long it will take for the epoxy to harden and cure.
7
Sand itUse an extra high-grit sanding block or piece of sandpaper to sand down the hardened epoxy so that it's flat and flush with the rest of the tile.
8
PaintIf your repair product isn't already tinted, paint the filled area to create a seamless, color-matched look that blends with the surrounding tile.
gray square tile with corner chip

Matching the Color and Finish

Filling cracks and chips in tile is the easy part. Color-matching the tile can be a bit trickier, especially if you're working with a unique color or a multicolor pattern, like our bold Green 24x48 Lappato Porcelain Large Tile. If you have a tile color that you don't think you can match for a flawless finish, replacement may be the better option.

For a seamless result, you'll need to mix your own paint pigments to perfectly match the existing tile color. Some epoxy tile repair kits include mixable pigments, while others dry clear and require you to purchase the paint separately. Before applying any paint over the cured epoxy, do a color test on an inconspicuous piece of tile or on an extra piece if you still have some leftover from your initial installation.

It's also critical to use the appropriate type of paint for your tile material:

  • To fix chipped glass tile: use an acrylic enamel or oil-based touch-up paint
  • To fix chipped marble tile: use a two-part colored epoxy or special marble repair paint
  • To fix porcelain tile: use an acrylic touch-up paint or a porcelain glaze
  • To fix ceramic tile: use a water-resistant oil-based enamel paint or porcelain touch-up paint

If you don't have a spare tile or inconspicuous area to test your paint on, paint it on a piece of cardboard, let it dry, and place it on top of an existing tile to see how well it matches.

To match a glossy tile finish, apply gloss tile sealer atop the paint once it's dried. To match a matte finish, buff the cured and painted epoxy with an ultra-fine grit sanding block or sandpaper.

Read also: Floor Tile Patterns: Practical and Stylish Layout Ideas
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When to Replace Instead of Repair

In many scenarios, repairing chipped tile is the easiest and most cost-effective solution, but there are times when a tile replacement is the more appropriate option. If you're not sure if you should repair or replace, follow this useful guide:

Repair tile when:
  • Tiles have minor damage, like chips and hairline cracks
  • Replacement tiles are not available
  • The tile color is easy to match
  • The chip or crack is not expanding or spreading
  • There’s no apparent drywall issue, subfloor issue, or water damage
Replace tile when:
  • Cracking appears to be the result of subfloor or drywall issues
  • There are signs of water damage
  • You’ve repaired it once and the problem has re-emerged
  • It’s a hard-to-match color and you have extra tiles leftover from your initial installation
  • Waterproofing behind or beneath the tile is necessary
  • Tiles are chipped and loosening or lifting

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to fix a chipped tile without replacing it?

To repair chipped or cracked tile without replacing it, fill in the chip with an epoxy filler. Once it’s cured, sand and polish it flat so that it matches the tile’s surface texture.

2. Why do tile edges chip more often than at the center?

Tile edges are the weakest point in the tile. When floor tiles are not placed perfectly flat and flush, those slightly raised edges become prone to damage and wear and tear over time.

3. Will a tile chip get worse if I don't fix it?

Yes, a tile chip can get worse if it’s not repaired. Small chips can become bigger chips, and chips can become large cracks, which can cause moisture to seep in and lift the tile.

4. How long does a tile chip repair take to dry or cure?

Some tile epoxy repair products dry in as little as 20 minutes, while some take up to 24 hours to dry. Consult the manufacturer’s directions to know exactly how long you should let it cure because sanding and polishing it flat.

5. Is a chipped tile a sign of a bigger problem?

On floors, many tile chips are the result of having dropped a heavy object on the tile. However, chips and hairline cracks are sometimes an indication that foundation is settling or that your subfloor is uneven. if you have chipped tile on a kitchen backsplash, bathroom, or other wet area, it could be a sign that there is moisture behind the tile that has caused the backer board or drywall to swell.

6. Can you repair a chip on a textured or patterned tile and have it look seamless?

Yes, you can patch a chipped tile and achieve a seamless look even if the tile is textured. Simply apply the epoxy to build up the original tile texture and use a household tool, like a sponge or a stiff brush, to texturize the filled area.

7. Can chipped tile be repaired if it's in a shower or wet area?

Yes, you fix chipped tile in shower stalls, bathroom walls, and kitchen backsplashes using a two-part epoxy resin and color-matching paint. Be careful not to let the tile get wet until it has fully cured and been painted, glazed, or sealed.

8. How can I prevent future chips?

To prevent future chipping on tile floors, consider adding area rugs in high-traffic areas, padding furniture legs, and practicing the habit of lifting items rather than dragging them across the floor.
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Nura
About the Author

Nura

Nura has always been drawn to design and the way our eyes and senses experience a space. She’s fascinated by the stories that interiors and architecture quietly tell. Traveling across countries and seeing architecture in its natural setting helped her notice how materials, patterns, and textures quietly shape emotion and personality in a space.

Before joining Tiletopia, Nura spent over a decade in brand management, market research, and consumer behavior across different industries, working in brand storytelling and crafting content that brings ideas to life. At the intersection of storytelling and design, Nura has found her creative home at Tiletopia, where she brings both passions to life.

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