Grout stained beyond cleaning
Regrouting is the answer when stains have soaked all the way in. New grout can be a different color if you want a change.
Serving 49 Chicago-area suburbs
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair in Chicago & the Suburbs
Cracked, loose or hollow tiles replaced and failing grout redone in Chicagoland kitchens, without tearing out the whole floor or backsplash.
- Repairs across the Chicago suburbs, from Naperville to Evanston
- We find the cause, not just the symptom
- Parts and labor quoted before work starts
Tile and grout problems we repair in Chicagoland
We repair kitchen floor and backsplash tile across Chicagoland: single cracked tiles, hollow-sounding sections, loose pieces and grout that is missing or stained. Before anything is replaced, we look for the reason it failed, so the fix holds.
Lippage and uneven tiles
Uneven edges often come from tiles set on too little mortar. We lift the high or low pieces and level them with the field.
Hairline cracks in the grout along a seam
A thin crack following a straight line through the grout often marks a joint below. We may cut in a flexible movement joint there instead of regrouting it rigid.
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.
Cracks running across several tiles
Straight-line cracks across a floor are rarely about the tile itself. We check deflection, the backer and any slab crack, then decide whether a crack-isolation membrane is needed.
Hollow-sounding or loose tiles
Tiles that rock underfoot or sound empty were often set on spots of thin-set instead of a full bed. We take them up and set them again properly.
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.
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.
What we check and fix
- 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.
- Setting replacement tilesEach replacement goes in flat and flush, bedded in mortar rather than spotted.
- RegroutingJoints are filled with grout matched to the existing color, or the whole area is regrouted for an even look.
- Caulking change-of-plane jointsWe recaulk every inside corner and the line where tile meets the counter or tub.
- Sealing and cleanupCement grout is sealed once cured if you want added stain resistance, and the area is cleaned.
Common fixes and parts
Natural stone tileMarble, travertine and slate need stone-safe setting materials and grout that won't stain the edges.
Crack-isolation and uncoupling membranesUsed where cracks would otherwise come back through the replacement tiles.
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.
Epoxy and urethane groutHighly stain-resistant and needs no sealer, though it takes more skill to install and to remove later.
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair across Chicagoland
The same job looks different in a 1920s bungalow, a 1970s split-level and a new subdivision. Here is what we plan for in different parts of the region.
Prewar towns
Mortar-bed tile in an older home
Many older Oak Park and Evanston homes have tile set on a thick mortar bed. We cut out damaged tiles carefully so the bed stays sound, then set replacements to the same height.
Condo and townhome towns
Tile cracking over a concrete slab
Condo kitchens on slabs crack tile along shrinkage lines. We isolate the crack so the replacement tile is not bonded to it directly.
Glendale Heights, Oak Park, Lisle, Woodridge, Palatine, Arlington Heights
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair: before and after
Before
AfterKitchen Tile & Grout Repair in a 1990s two-story colonial, Lake Zurich
A 1990s two-story colonial in Lake Zurich, a typical kitchen for Lake Zurich. The main complaint was 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. The job covered inspection and tap test, regrouting, plus caulking change-of-plane joints.
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterBloomingdale kitchen, 1980s two-story: kitchen tile & grout repair
This one is a 1980s two-story near Old Town Bloomingdale. The main complaint was 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 inspection and tap test, finding the cause, plus setting replacement tiles.
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair in Bloomingdale →
Before
AfterAn Evanston 1920s bungalow: before and after
A 1920s bungalow in Evanston, a typical kitchen for Evanston. The main complaint was 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 finding the cause, tile matching, plus caulking change-of-plane joints.
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair in Evanston →The repair visit
- 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 checkFinal caulk, sealer and a look at the finished repair together.
Repair or replace? Common questions
Do you repair bathroom tile too?
We do. Many homeowners add a bathroom floor or tub-surround regrout to a kitchen repair.
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.
Can you match old kitchen tile?
Often. We check for leftover boxes first, then salvage and current lines in the same size and color. Tile from inside a pantry can sometimes be borrowed for a visible spot.
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.
How long does tile repair take?
Replacing a few tiles is often done in one visit, with grout the next day once the thin-set has set up.
Which towns do you serve?
Chicago and 49 suburbs, from Naperville and Aurora to Evanston, Schaumburg and Orland Park. Pick your town below for local details and ZIP codes.
Kitchen Tile & Grout Repair near you
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