Repairing a badly done but new ceramic floor tiling job?

Question

I insisted I could lay my own tiles in my new kitchen, even though my partner did not believe me. I watched the videos & read the how-tos but, I don't care that my grout lines are not perfect. He put in all new subflooring & plywood to make the floor even with our other rooms hardwoods. It was the thin-set mortar I had to mix, that seem to dry out quickly, I should have bought premix. One tile I found has a small crack, unnoticeable except the thin grout line next to is chipping out. Two tiles in different areas are loose, not enough that you can move with hand but can be moved with feet. I have done regrout jobs on old floors adhered to cement slabs by scraping out grout with a small hand saw tool to scrape the grout out, vacuum & regrout. But I don't want to risk loosening the surrounding tiles. I read somewhere there is a power saw that can be used? We did all this to save money, so not much left for repairs, could pay $200-$300 if anyone thinks a pro will do. Ideas???

Answer 1

It sounds like you you put to much thin set down and it dried out a bit before you could lay your tiles... only spread your thin set for about 2 to 3 rows.. It's a little slower but well worth the time... anyways got you a dremil  tool and get a grout remover bit and remove the grout replace the tile and re-grout,,, You will find that you wished you would have had a dremil tool years ago as you can use it for many different jobs...

Answer 2

remove the grout around the damged tile. then remove the damage tile. if you use a scraper or chisel apply the pressure towards the damage tiles so you dont damge the surrounding tile. scrape all residue of thinset and grout to have a smooth surface, vacuum the area. then you can replace tile. it may help to apply the thinset to the tile back surface then place the tile into place, regrout the lines. dont forget to seal the grout

Answer 3

use a hand held grout scraper to remove the grout around the offending tiles.  i wouldn't recommend any sort of power tool to do this job, as the vibration may loosen surrounding tiles.  pop up the cracked tiles and replace with new tiles, making sure that the thinset on the floor is scraped smooth.  grout and seal.  you stated that you had a new subfloor put in, so i gather that the tile is not over a concrete slab.  if the subfloor wasn't installed right, you most likely will have this problem again.  the correct way is to install 1/4" hardibacker (or 1/2" if that gets you up to the level of your hardwood) or durock, thinsetted to the plywood with multiflex thinset, and screwed down every six inches.  if this process was not used, the vibration in the floor from everyday wear and walking will cause the grout to crack and tiles to start coming up.  i'm keeping my fingers crossed that the above method was used, and that the problem you are having is just a fluke of nature.  good luck.

ps.  if my company came out to replace your 3-4 tiles, i would probably just charge you $50, or $25 an hour if it took longer than 2 (which it shouldn't).  you supply the grout.  if i had to buy the grout as well, i would just want to be reimbursed for the cost.  a good tile company won't milk you on the price of the repair, but keep in mind that not many people would find this worth their time. again, good luck.