Repairing Damaged Tile

Accidents happen.  It’s a part of life.  So what do you do when your tile is damaged?  While the type of damage plays a role in determining what type of repair is needed, here are a few scenarios for tile repairs:

Loose tile
Whenever your tile is loose and wobbling, you need to consider removing the tile and replacing it.  However, if you are able to lift the tile out in one piece, you can just simply re-adhere it to the floor.

Cracked tile
A cracked tile can ruin the look of any living space.  To repair, remove the cracked tile (in pieces, if necessary), and then replace it.  Cracked tiles are due to poor installation or a flaw in the manufacturing of a tile.

Uneven, chipping tile
The main cause of uneven, chipping tile is an uneven layer of thin set that is applied during installation.  This uneven thin set then does not allow your tiles to lay flat across your floor, causing some edges to become raised, creating chipping.

To help fix your damaged tile, follow these steps:

1.  If the tile is already cracked, take advantage of the crack!  Chisel along the fissure line on the crack to help separate the tile until you are able to start getting under the tile to remove it.

2.  Once it is removed, you need to prepare the floor for a new tile by using a scraper to remove all of the old thin set.  You might need to use a hammer and chisel to chip away the thin set.

3.  Now that the area is cleaned, you can place a new layer of thin set on the floor (try using a trowel or spatula).  Place the tile on the floor, making sure to use a level!  Allow the thin set to dry approximately 24 hours.

4.  After the thin set is dry, you can now add your grout.  Make sure your grout color matches that of the existing grout.  After adding the grout, use a sealant on the new area.

Follow these simple steps on repairing your damaged tile and your flooring will look as good as new!

Don’t Forget – The Home Show Begins Friday, February 8!

We’ll be there to answer any questions you may have and help you make the right flooring and installation decisions when updating your home. A great selection of quality carpeting, ceramic and porcelain tile, hardwood flooring, laminate and vinyl flooring will be on display. We’ll set you on the right path for your Spring projects. Hope to see you this weekend!

Here are all of the details you need to know about the show:

Suburban Pennsylvania Spring Home, Hot Tub & Landscape Show

LOCATION
Lancaster County Convention Center
25 South Queen Street
Lancaster, PA  17603

ADMISSION IS FREE

CLICK HERE for directions.

SHOW HOURS
Friday, February 8, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, February 9, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday, February 10, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

 

Reminder to Join Us At the Home Show

Dreaming of new flooring for your home?  Or, perhaps an update to your kitchen or bathroom tile?  Come visit us at the Suburban Pennsylvania Spring Home, Hot Tub & Landscape Show this weekend!

HERE ARE THE DETAILS:

LOCATION
Lancaster County Convention Center
25 South Queen Street
Lancaster, PA  17603

CLICK HERE for directions.

ADMISSION:  FREE!

SHOW HOURS
Friday, February 8, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, February 9, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday, February 10, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

We’ll be on hand to answer any questions you may have and show you a great selection of quality carpeting, ceramic and porcelain tiles, hardwood floors, laminate and vinyl flooring on display. We also carry niche brands and unique products like bamboo flooring.  We can help you make the right flooring and installation decisions which will ensure your satisfaction for years to come.  In the meantime, visit our Photo Gallery for some beautiful options and inspiration for your home project.  SEE YOU THERE!

Tile with Style: Part II

Time for our second of three posts about tile and style!
Today’s stop – Italian tile.

According to the Ceramics of Italy association, which represents over 150 manufacturers of Italian tiles, Italy is the world’s leading manufacturer of ceramic tile, producing 43% of the tile in international commerce. Use of Italian tile began in the Middle Ages when it became a popular medium for walls and floors in religious and other public buildings.

Italian tile has evolved greatly since its beginnings. A style which once focused on large, decorative historical and Biblical scenes shifted to the use of repetitive, geometric patterns. This style is still very prevalent in today’s Italian tile.

Characteristics of modern-day Italian tile include:

• Elegant, polished looks that convey a level of sophistication and “high-style”
• Available in variety of materials like porcelain, ceramic, marble, and glass
• Popular in both commercial and residential spaces
• Very versatile – use indoor and outdoor on floors and walls. Italian tile is also popular in the creation of wall murals.

Earlier this year, the Ceramics of Italy association unveiled the latest trends in Italian tile at Coverings 2012, the industry’s largest expo for ceramic tile and natural stone:

Monolithic tiles – these are perfectly squared tiles that are frost and skid-resistant and easy to clean. They can also be easily dry laid over dirt, pebbles, grass, or gravel and without the need of specialized installers.

Mixed materials – many companies are mixing materials to create brilliant tiles that incorporate alabaster, marble, metal, and wood. Advancements in the technology used by tile manufacturers make it possible.

Concrete, resin & terracotta – Italian tile companies are incorporating other new materials into their designs, like smooth resins and industrial-style cements. Terracotta, a popular tile material from Italy’s past, is making a comeback and being reintroduced in modern sizes, colors, and finishes.

If you’re looking to add a modern, sleek, sophisticated look to your home then Italian tile may be the style for you. Give the Heritage Floors team a call at 717-687-7906 and we’ll get you started!

Tile with Style: Part I

Welcome to the first of three posts about tile and style! We’ll highlight different styles of tile and briefly explore their history, unique characteristics, and how they’re used not only in today’s flooring designs, but in other areas of the home as well.

Our first stop – Mexican tile

Bold and bright, Mexican tile is rooted in the cultural heritage of its country. The practice of making the handcrafted ceramic tiles dates back to the late sixteenth century, when the Spanish brought their knowledge of pottery and tile making to Mexico. For anyone who has visited the country, it’s clear that their distinctive tiles have played a pivotal role in Mexican architecture – from their public fountains and churches to private hacienda home exteriors and interiors.

Characteristics of Mexican tile include:

• They’re hand-painted, so no two tiles are the same
• They have a concave shape and are not perfectly flat
• High level of design detail and intricacies
• Bold, vibrant colors with a rustic beauty

If the style of Mexican tile suits your taste, there are many ways to incorporate it into your home:

Bathrooms – use on your floor or walls to create ornate designs. The vibrant colors add variety and make it fun to coordinate with other bathroom accessories.

Kitchens – Mexican tile offers lots of versatility in the kitchen. According to Karen Gosnell, president of Mexican Tile Company, tiles can be used almost anywhere – floors, countertops, backsplash, tabletops, and wainscoting.

Fireplaces and more – add a bold statement to a fireplace or other unique area of your home, like stair risers and door and window surrounds.

As far as color goes, the options are many. Mexican tiles were traditionally made in blues, yellow and greens but are now offered in endless amounts of colors. So if you’re ready to make a bold statement that’s reflective of Spain, Latin America, or the Mediterranean, think about incorporating Mexican tile into your homescape! Contact us for more information and tile inspiration!

Wood floors in this dining area give warmth to the space while tile in the kitchen area adds to the aesthetics and is also utilitarian.

 

Armstrong Alterna Reserve Tile creates an inviting atmosphere in this kitchen and pulls together the colors from the cabinets and countertops. The nature-inspired colors and patterns reproduce the looks found in actual stone quarried from the earth.

Just Because “Floors” is in Our Name…

Doesn’t mean we don’t do backsplashes, shower tiles, and other accent wall features. For example, one of our projects was this Honed Onyx Backsplash…Check it out!  Visit www.heritage-floors.net for endless tile options.

Color

Backsplash design, natural slate pinwheel framed with a cast metal rope liner

“Color does not add a pleasant quality to design

– it reinforces it.”

– Pierre Bonnard, French painter and printmaker

 

Check Out the Photo Gallery

Need some inspiration?  Browse our photo gallery.  Sometimes it takes just the right picture to inspire and plant the seed for a whole new room makeover!  If you’ve been thinking about your next summer or fall project and it involves giving your home a new look, check out our online photo gallery.  You’ll see some of the latest designs in hardwood flooring, ceramic tile and more for your kitchen, bathroom, or any room in your home!

View our photo gallery HERE.