Mortar-bed tile in an older home
Original tile on a mortar bed can often be repaired rather than torn out, as long as the bed is still bonded to the floor below.
Serving Berwyn & nearby Oak Park, Chicago
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair in Berwyn, IL
Cracked, loose or hollow tiles replaced and failing grout redone in Berwyn kitchens, without tearing out the whole floor or backsplash.
- Repairs across Berwyn ZIP 60402
- We find the cause, not just the symptom
- Parts and labor quoted before work starts
Tile and grout problems we repair in Berwyn
One broken tile in front of the sink or a run of crumbling grout along the backsplash rarely means the whole surface has to go. In Berwyn we cut out the damaged pieces, set matched replacements and regrout the joints so the repair blends with the rest of the kitchen.
Cracked caulk where tile meets the counter
The joint between the counter and the backsplash moves, so it should be flexible caulk, not grout. We cut out the cracked material and run a new bead.
Grout cracking, crumbling or missing
When grout falls out in chunks, it is time to regrout. We remove the failing material with oscillating and carbide tools and refill the joints.
A single cracked or chipped floor tile
A dropped cast-iron pan can split one tile clean through. We grind out the grout around it, lift the broken pieces and set a replacement flush with the rest.
Hairline cracks in the grout along a seam
Some grout lines are meant to flex. Turning a repeatedly cracked line into a soft joint is often the lasting fix.
Chipped tile edges along the dishwasher and cabinets
Chipped edges along an open side of the floor are replaced, and we can add a profile so the new edge is protected.
Water getting behind the backsplash
A backsplash that wiggles near the faucet has usually been wet for a while. We open it up, dry or replace the board and rebuild the area.
No spare tiles to match
We start by checking the garage, basement or attic for leftover boxes. If there are none, a tile from under the fridge or inside a closet can be borrowed for a visible spot.
What the repair visit covers
- Finding the causeBefore replacing anything, we work out what made the tile crack or loosen.
- Tile matchingWe source replacements by size, thickness, color and finish and show you the options.
- Careful removalGrout around damaged tiles is cut out by hand or with an oscillating tool so neighboring tiles stay intact.
- Setting replacement tilesNew tiles are set in fresh thin-set with full coverage and leveled with the surrounding field.
- RegroutingFresh grout packed into the joints, tooled and cleaned off the tile faces.
- Caulking change-of-plane jointsCorners, counter edges and perimeters get flexible sealant instead of rigid grout.
- Sealing and cleanupWe finish with sealer where it suits the grout and leave the kitchen clean.
Common fixes and parts
Color-matched caulkSanded or smooth caulk in the grout color for joints that need to move.
Crack-isolation and uncoupling membranesUsed where cracks would otherwise come back through the replacement tiles.
Epoxy and urethane groutHighly stain-resistant and needs no sealer, though it takes more skill to install and to remove later.
Natural stone tileMarble, travertine and slate need stone-safe setting materials and grout that won't stain the edges.
Cement-based groutThe standard grout for most kitchens, available in many colors and easy to match.
Kitchens like yours in Berwyn: before and after
Problem
Fixed
DetailBefore and after: a brick bungalow from the 1920s in Berwyn
This one is a brick bungalow from the 1920s near LaVergne. What bothered the owners most: cracked tiles by the sink and grout falling out of the joints. The result: matched replacement tiles set flush, fresh even grout and new caulk along the counter. Work included tile matching, regrouting, plus sealing and cleanup.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Oak Brook
A 1980s two-story in Oak Brook, a typical kitchen for Oak Brook. The reason for the call: cracked tiles by the sink and grout falling out of the joints. Finished kitchen: matched replacement tiles set flush, fresh even grout and new caulk along the counter. On site this meant finding the cause, caulking change-of-plane joints, plus sealing and cleanup.
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair in Oak Brook →
Before
AfterBerwyn kitchen, prewar foursquare: tile & grout cleaning
Finished: the same tile deep-cleaned, with even, light grout lines color-sealed.
Tile & Grout Cleaning in Berwyn →
Before
AfterA Berwyn prewar foursquare: before and after
Soft sage-green inset-style cabinets with unlacquered brass hardware, honed white marble-look quartz counters, a white handmade-look square tile backsplash, restored oak strip floor and schoolhouse pendant lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Berwyn →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a brick bungalow from the 1920s in Berwyn
What changed: the same doors sprayed in soft white, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Berwyn →How the repair goes
- Send photos or book a visitA few phone photos of the cracked tile and the surrounding area help us plan.
- Diagnose and matchWe find the reason for the failure and line up matching tiles.
- RepairDamaged tiles out, substrate fixed, new tiles set; small repairs are often done in a day, with a return visit to grout.
- Seal and checkGrout is sealed where needed and we walk the area with you.
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair questions from Berwyn homeowners
Is it worth regrouting, or should I retile?
Solid tile with bad grout: regrout. Hollow, cracked tile across the room: talk about replacement.
Can you replace just one cracked tile?
We can. If the crack came from movement below, we also tell you whether the cause needs attention first.
What affects the cost of tile repair?
A few impact cracks cost less than fixing a floor that flexes. After diagnosing the cause, we put it all in writing.
How long does tile repair take?
It depends on how many tiles and whether the base needs work. We give you the schedule with the estimate.
Do you repair bathroom tile too?
We do. Many homeowners add a bathroom floor or tub-surround regrout to a kitchen repair.
Do I need a permit for tile and grout repair in Berwyn?
It depends on the scope. Berwyn's rule in short: City permit list includes any kitchen and bathroom remodeling, all electrical work, and plumbing/sewer work (faucet or toilet replacement excluded). We handle the permit when one is needed with Building Department, City of Berwyn.
Do you work in my part of Berwyn?
Yes. Our crews work across Berwyn, including South Berwyn, South Oak Park area, Depot District, LaVergne — ZIP 60402 — and nearby Oak Park, Chicago, Oak Brook.
Working in Berwyn
- Most Berwyn homes are prewar. We work around plaster walls, radiators and out-of-square rooms every week.
- Most Berwyn homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in the Central Berwyn Bungalow Historic District? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
South BerwynSouth Oak Park areaDepot DistrictLaVergneOgden Avenue
ZIP 60402
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Berwyn
Tile & Grout CleaningDeep-cleaned tile, restored grout color and a sealer that keeps it.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.
Cabinet RefacingNew doors and fronts on your existing cabinet boxes.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.