Tiles are tough, but they are not indestructible. A dropped pan cracks a kitchen floor tile, a house settling causes a line of cracked tiles across a hallway, grout in the shower turns black and crumbles, a splashback tile comes loose behind the stove. These problems are small to begin with, but cracked tiles and failed grout let water into the floor or wall behind, and what starts as a cosmetic issue can become water damage.

We repair tiles and renew grout in bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, entries and outdoor areas for homes and rentals across Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar, Yarragon and the surrounding district. Our focus is repairs, regrouting and small tiling jobs, rather than full bathroom renovations.

Tile repair services

• Replacing cracked tiles. Removing individual cracked or chipped tiles without damaging the tiles around them, and fitting replacements.
• Re-fixing loose and drummy tiles. Tiles that sound hollow when tapped have lost their bond. We lift and re-bed them where practical.
• Regrouting. Removing old, cracked, stained or mouldy grout and replacing it with fresh grout.
• Grout colour change. Regrouting in a different colour to refresh a dated look.
• Small splashbacks. Tiling a new splashback behind a basin, laundry tub or small kitchen area.
• Tile patches. Tiling over small areas after fixtures have been removed or moved.
• Edge trims. Replacing damaged or missing tile trims on edges and steps.
• Outdoor tile repairs. Replacing cracked tiles on patios, steps and verandahs.
• Sealing grout. Applying grout sealer to reduce staining and water absorption.

Why tiles crack

• Impact. Dropped heavy objects crack floor tiles, especially near kitchen benches.
• Movement. Houses move as the ground wets and dries. Many homes in the district are built on reactive clay, and cracks often follow a line where the slab or subfloor has moved. Long cracks running across several tiles usually indicate movement.
• Poor installation. Tiles laid without full adhesive coverage leave hollow spots under the tile, which crack under load.
• No expansion joints. Large tiled areas need movement joints. Without them, tiles can lift or crack as temperatures change.
• Timber floors. Tiles laid on timber subfloors that flex are prone to cracking.

Matching tiles

The biggest challenge with tile repairs is finding a matching replacement. Tile ranges are discontinued regularly, and even the same tile from a different batch can vary in colour. Options include:

• Spare tiles. Many homes have a box of spare tiles left by the builder in the garage or shed. Always check before buying new.
• Matching from suppliers. We can take a photo or a broken piece to local tile suppliers to find the closest match.
• Borrowing a tile. Taking a tile from a less visible spot, such as inside a cupboard or behind the fridge, and replacing that one with the closest available match.
• Feature tiles. Where an exact match is impossible, a contrasting feature tile can look deliberate.

Regrouting

Grout is porous and wears over time, especially in showers. Signs that regrouting is needed:

• Grout that is black or stained and will not come clean.
• Cracked, crumbling or missing grout.
• Grout that has worn below the tile surface.
• Water seeping behind tiles.

Our regrouting process:

1. Remove old grout with grout saws and oscillating tools, to a depth that gives the new grout a good key, taking care not to chip tile edges.

2. Clean out joints and treat any mould.

3. Dry the area thoroughly.

4. Apply new grout, pressing it firmly into the joints.

5. Clean off excess grout from tile faces and polish.

6. Seal where appropriate, once the grout has cured.

7. Re-silicone internal corners and changes of plane, which should always be silicone rather than grout. See silicone and caulking.

Choosing the right grout matters. Standard cement grout is fine for most walls and floors. Epoxy grout is more stain- and water-resistant and is good for showers and kitchen benches, though it is harder to work with.

Showers and waterproofing

In showers, tiles and grout are not the waterproof layer; the waterproofing membrane under the tiles is. If the shower has been leaking (signs include damp walls on the other side, swollen skirting, stained ceilings below, or a musty smell), regrouting may not fix the problem. If the membrane has failed, the shower needs to be stripped and rewaterproofed by a waterproofing specialist or bathroom renovator. We will tell you if we see signs that point to a membrane failure.

Asbestos caution

Some older homes have tiles laid on fibre cement sheet that may contain asbestos, and some older vinyl tiles and adhesives contain asbestos. If your home was built before 1990 and we suspect asbestos in the substrate or adhesive, we will not cut or remove the material, and we will recommend testing.

Rentals and property managers

Cracked tiles and mouldy grout are common items on rental inspection reports. We replace damaged tiles and regrout showers between tenancies, providing photos for landlords and property managers. See property managers.

A typical tile repair visit

Here is a common example. A family in Drouin has a kitchen floor tile cracked by a dropped cast iron pot, mouldy grout in the shower, and a loose tile on the laundry splashback.

Finding tiles

The family finds a box of spare floor tiles in the garage. The laundry tile is a standard white wall tile, readily available.

Kitchen tile

The cracked tile is cut out carefully, starting in the centre to avoid stressing the surrounding tiles. The old adhesive is scraped back, and the new tile is bedded on fresh adhesive, levelled with its neighbours and left to set before grouting.

Shower regrout

The old grout is removed from the shower walls and floor, the joints treated for mould and dried, and new grout applied. Corners and the base joint are re-siliconed.

Laundry splashback

The loose tile is removed, old adhesive cleaned off, and the tile re-fixed and grouted.

Result

The family is advised to wait before mopping the kitchen tile and using the shower, and to seal the new shower grout once cured.

Keeping tiles and grout in good condition

• Wipe down shower walls after use to reduce soap scum and mould.
• Use pH-neutral cleaners; acidic and bleach products break down grout over time.
• Seal grout in showers and kitchen floors and re-seal periodically.
• Use felt pads on furniture to prevent scratches on floor tiles.
• Deal with cracks and loose tiles promptly before water gets underneath.

What we do not do

We do not do full bathroom renovations, waterproofing membranes, large floor tiling across whole houses, or tiling that involves plumbing changes. These are best done by tiling contractors and bathroom renovators.

Getting a quote

Send photos of the tiles and grout that need attention, including close-ups and a wider shot, and tell us if you have spare tiles. We will reply with a written scope and free quote. We do not publish prices.

Areas

Tile repairs and regrouting in Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar, Yarragon, Nilma, Darnum, Rokeby, Buln Buln, Neerim South and Longwarry. See our service areas and all services.

Older bathrooms and period tiles

Many older homes in Warragul, Trafalgar and Yarragon still have original tiles from the 1950s to the 1980s, in colours such as pastel pink, mint green or mustard. Some homeowners love these retro bathrooms, others find them dated. Either way, original tiles are almost impossible to match. If you want to keep the original look, we can regrout and re-silicone to freshen it up, and salvage tiles from hidden areas for repairs. If you want to update without renovating, regrouting in a fresh colour and replacing accessories can make a big difference.

Outdoor tiles in our climate

Outdoor tiles on patios, verandahs and steps face rain, frost and sun. Water that gets under outdoor tiles through cracked grout can freeze on cold mornings and lift tiles. Choose slip-resistant outdoor tiles, ensure good drainage away from the house, and repair cracked grout promptly. We replace cracked outdoor tiles and regrout patio areas, and can apply sealers suited to outdoor surfaces.

Drummy tiles explained

Tap across a tiled floor with the handle of a screwdriver and you may hear some tiles sound hollow, or “drummy”. This means the tile is not fully bonded to the adhesive or substrate underneath. Drummy tiles are common, especially in homes where tiles were laid using dabs of adhesive rather than full coverage. A few drummy tiles that are not cracked or moving may not need immediate attention. But drummy tiles in a high-traffic area, or ones that have started to crack or rock, should be lifted and re-bedded before they break or let water underneath. Large patches of drummy tiles across a room can indicate a wider bonding failure or subfloor movement, which may need assessment by a tiling contractor.

Cracks that follow a line

When a crack runs in a straight line across several tiles, it is usually telling you something about what lies underneath: a joint in the concrete slab, a crack in the slab caused by movement, or a join in the sheeting below. Simply replacing the tiles will often see the crack return along the same line. In these cases, we may recommend installing a flexible movement joint along the line, filled with a matching coloured sealant rather than grout, which allows the floor to move without cracking the tiles. If the cracking is extensive or getting worse, it is worth having the slab or subfloor checked.

Kitchen splashbacks

Small tiled splashbacks behind sinks, cooktops and benches are practical and easy to keep clean. We tile new small splashbacks and repair existing ones, including replacing cracked tiles, regrouting stained joints and re-sealing the benchtop joint.

Dust and protection

Removing grout and tiles creates fine dust. We protect nearby surfaces, use dust-reducing tools and vacuums, and clean up thoroughly before leaving.

Frequently asked questions