Tile is tile. The installation, maintenance, and repair of tile flooring is just about the same as that on a counter or in a shower. That means this guide covers fixing tile around your home, wherever it is.

How Does It Work?

Tile is molded clay that has been prepared for use as flooring or as countertop or wall covering; or it is natural stone that has been cut for the same purpose.

Ceramic and natural stone tiles are widely available. Several types of ceramic tile are in popular use. Glazed ceramic tile is baked, coated with glaze, and baked again, creating an extremely hard surface layer. Quarry tile is baked but left unglazed, leaving it porous. It is softer and thicker than glazed tile. Porcelain mosaic tile, made in units of less than 6 square inches, is made of porcelain or natural clay composition, either plain or with an abrasive mixture throughout. Natural-stone tile is simply cut from stone. Granite and marble tiles are usually polished and sealed after cutting, while slate tiles are cut along natural faults, leaving a textured appearance.

Tile flooring, walls, or countertops are installed over a solid base, creating extremely hard and durable surfaces that will serve for many years with little maintenance other than cleaning. Tile is installed with an adhesive, and space between the tiles is filled with grout, a sandy paste that hardens soon after application.

What Can Go Wrong?

Grout can become dirty and stained. It can crack, chip, or even come out in chunks. A single tile or several tiles can also crack, chip, or break. As mentioned, whether the tile is on a floor, countertop, or wall, repairs are basically the same.