What a Cracked Floor Tile Says About the Floor Beneath

A cracked floor tile is more often a symptom than a defect. The Tile Council of North America says the tile itself is not necessarily the cause, that the most common causes are movement in the floor below it, and that without a detailed on-site investigation the exact cause cannot be fully determined. Read the pattern of the cracks before you replace anything.

What the cracks may be telling you

Can I fix one cracked tile myself?

Replacing a single tile is a reasonable project when the cause is clear, such as something heavy dropped on it, and nothing else around it is cracking. Wear gloves and eye protection, because broken tile edges are sharp, and keep bare feet off the area until the floor is swept clean. If a replacement cracks again, the floor is telling you something, and the repair is not the answer.

When to stop and call a professional

• Cracks that keep lengthening, or new cracks that appear in the same area after a repair.
• Several cracked tiles in a line, which can mean the floor beneath is moving.
• Tile that sounds hollow, lifts into a ridge or makes a loud noise as it separates.
• A floor that feels springy or bounces when you walk across it.
• Cracks near a toilet, tub or shower that may follow a leak, where a plumber should look at the water source as well.

A Cracked Tile Is a Symptom That the Floor Is Worth Checking

Matching a tile is the easy part, and finding why it cracked is the part that decides whether the repair lasts. If the floor itself needs work, you can request bathroom remodeling quotes and ask each bidder how they would check the floor before setting new tile.