Grout cracking, crumbling or missing
Sanded grout that is powdery or gone from the joints lets water and crumbs into the floor. We rake it out to a consistent depth and pack in new grout.
Serving Des Plaines & nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair in Des Plaines, IL
Cracked, loose or hollow tiles replaced and failing grout redone in Des Plaines kitchens, without tearing out the whole floor or backsplash.
- Technicians covering Des Plaines ZIP 60016, 60018
- Diagnosis first, then a written price for the repair
- Honest advice when replacing makes more sense
Tile and grout problems we repair in Des Plaines
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 Des Plaines we cut out the damaged pieces, set matched replacements and regrout the joints so the repair blends with the rest of the kitchen.
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.
Chipped tile edges along the dishwasher and cabinets
Exposed tile edges at the dishwasher opening chip when the appliance is pulled out. We replace the chipped pieces and add an edge profile where it helps.
Tile tented or popped up in the middle of the floor
When tiles suddenly pop up, it is often because the floor was laid tight to the walls. We open a soft joint at the perimeter and reset the lifted section.
Hollow-sounding or loose tiles
Hollow spots tend to spread and then crack. Catching them early lets us reset a few tiles instead of replacing a whole area.
No spare tiles to match
If no exact match exists, a deliberate accent — a contrasting border or inset under the table — can look intended instead of patched.
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.
Lippage and uneven tiles
If one tile corner is proud of the others, we take it up, clean the bed and set it back flush.
What the repair visit covers
- Inspection and tap testA walk-through that maps loose, cracked and hollow tiles before anything is removed.
- Finding the causeBefore replacing anything, we work out what made the tile crack or loosen.
- Tile matchingLeftover tiles, salvage or a close current match are checked against the installed tile in daylight.
- Careful removalGrout around damaged tiles is cut out by hand or with an oscillating tool so neighboring tiles stay intact.
- Substrate repairWe clean the bed down to a flat, sound surface and fix anything soft underneath.
- RegroutingJoints are filled with grout matched to the existing color, or the whole area is regrouted for an even look.
- Sealing and cleanupCement grout is sealed once cured if you want added stain resistance, and the area is cleaned.
Repair options
Crack-isolation and uncoupling membranesA thin layer under the new tile that keeps small slab or subfloor movement from cracking it.
Natural stone tileStone repairs use white or stone-specific mortar and pH-neutral cleaning.
Epoxy and urethane groutHighly stain-resistant and needs no sealer, though it takes more skill to install and to remove later.
Color-matched caulkSanded or smooth caulk in the grout color for joints that need to move.
Ceramic and porcelain tileMost kitchen floors and backsplashes are one of these; porcelain is denser and harder to cut cleanly but very durable.
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair before and after — Des Plaines homes
Problem
Fixed
DetailBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Des Plaines
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Des Plaines. The main complaint was a few broken tiles they kept stepping around. The result: matched replacement tiles set flush, fresh even grout and new caulk along the counter. The job covered inspection and tap test, careful removal, plus sealing and cleanup.
Before
AfterMount Prospect kitchen, 1980s two-story: kitchen tile & grout repair
A 1980s two-story in Mount Prospect, a typical kitchen for Mount Prospect. The reason for the call: cracked tiles by the sink and grout falling out of the joints. After: matched replacement tiles set flush, fresh even grout and new caulk along the counter. Work included tile matching, careful removal, plus sealing and cleanup.
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterKitchen Tile & Grout Repair in a 1980s two-story, Park Ridge
This one is a 1980s two-story in Park Ridge. What bothered the owners most: a few broken tiles they kept stepping around. After: matched replacement tiles set flush, fresh even grout and new caulk along the counter. The job covered finding the cause, substrate repair, plus regrouting.
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair in Park Ridge →
Before
AfterA Des Plaines 1980s two-story: before and after
Finished: the same tile deep-cleaned, with even, light grout lines color-sealed.
Tile & Grout Cleaning in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Des Plaines
Cabinets in light butter yellow with satin brass pulls, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Des Plaines →How the repair goes
- Send photos or book a visitTell us where the damage is and send pictures if you have them.
- Diagnose and matchOn site we tap-test the tile, look for the cause and check replacement options.
- 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 Des Plaines homeowners
Can you match old kitchen tile?
Discontinued tile is the hard part of most repairs. We search for a match, and if none exists we suggest an intentional accent instead.
How long does tile repair take?
Small repairs usually take a day or two; regrouting a whole kitchen floor can take a few days.
Can you replace just one cracked tile?
Yes. We cut out the grout around it, break the tile out from the center and set a new one without disturbing the tiles next to it.
What is the one-third rule for tile?
For long rectangular tiles, the offset between rows is usually kept to about a third of the tile length, because slight bow in long tiles causes uneven edges at a half offset.
Why does my kitchen floor tile keep cracking?
Impact cracks happen once; cracks that come back are structural or installation issues. We look for which one you have.
Do I need a permit for tile and grout repair in Des Plaines?
It depends on the scope. Des Plaines's rule in short: A building permit is required for any residential kitchen remodel; non-structural work uses the Kitchen/Bath Non-Structural permit ($150 fee, rough and final inspections). We handle the permit when one is needed with Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division.
Do you work in my part of Des Plaines?
Yes. Our crews work across Des Plaines — ZIP 60016, 60018 — and nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Elk Grove Village.
Working in Des Plaines
- A lot of Des Plaines kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Des Plaines homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60016ZIP 60018
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair nearby
Other kitchen services in Des Plaines
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.