When renovating a kitchen, the floor is one of the most critical areas that should never be overlooked. As the space's foundation, the kitchen floor significantly impacts its look, feel, and functionality. In a room where you spend hours on your feet, you want it to feel comfortable. And thanks to its high traffic and potential for spills when selecting your kitchen flooring, you want something water-resistant and durable. With millions of kitchen floor tile ideas, the possibilities for creating a space that suits your aesthetic are endless.
But what happens when your kitchen floor tile shows wear or damage? A chip here and a buckle there. Do you completely replace the tiles or repair them? The answer to that question always depends. Since 2007, Oasis has helped customers select floor tiles for their kitchens, outdoor spaces, entryways, and bathrooms.
Yet, despite our experience and expertise, each time a customer asks us whether they should replace the tiles on their kitchen floor, we tell them there is no straightforward answer and that every situation must be considered individually. So, if you’re debating kitchen floor tile repair vs. replacement, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about how we handle the kitchen tile replacement dilemma.
Types of Kitchen Floor Damage: When to Repair and When to Replace
For most homeowners, kitchen tile flooring and installation can cost between $3,000 and $30,000. This is a tremendous investment, so you want it to last as long as possible. Yet, there will be times when your flooring shows some damage or wear and tear. The severity of the damage will help you decide whether it’s a simple kitchen floor repair or whether you need to replace your kitchen tiles completely.
Cracked Tile
Most homeowners choose to repair kitchen floor tiles that are cracked. You can fix minor or hairline fractures by filing them with clear epoxy or glue. The crack might still be visible, but the epoxy will seal the tile, ensuring no further damage.
If you have a crack resembling a long, continuous line across a series of kitchen floor tiles from one end to the other, that’s a different situation. Chances are, if you see this type of crack, there’s a bigger problem lying underneath, especially if the tiles were installed over vinyl or hardwood flooring, which can expand and shift over time. In that case, you may want to replace your kitchen floor tiles altogether.
Tile Tenting or Buckling
If your kitchen tile flooring starts to bow out like a tent, this is known as buckling or tenting. It usually occurs because of a lack of expansion joints around the edges of your kitchen. The tile must be able to expand and contract, and if it cannot, it will lift. This is a kitchen floor tile repair job if only a tiny section is tented. You'll need a complete tile replacement if you have significant tenting and additional issues like damaged tiles.
Chipped Tile
Like a cracked tile, you can use epoxy for kitchen floor repairs. Simply fill the chip with liquid epoxy and sand the glued area so it’s flush with the rest of the tile. Then, paint over the tile to cover the aesthetic damage. Your local big-box hardware store might also sell a tile repair kit minus the paint.
If you have more than a handful of chipped tiles or cannot find a similar replacement, you may consider replacing your kitchen tiles completely. This is particularly worth considering if you’ve chosen wood-like tile flooring, as it can be challenging to match the grain pattern and color.
Loose Tiles Coupled with Grout problems
A loose tile can have several different causes. In most cases, it’s caused by grout problems, specifically cracked or crumbling grout. However, it can also be caused by structural movement in your home, moisture trapped under the tile, or poor workmanship, such as using the incorrect adhesive.
It’s a kitchen tile repair job. If the tiles are still intact and the cause is a grout issue, you must re-grout the floor, provided it’s cost-effective. However, if the problem is related to structural or water damage, this will need to be fixed first. You’ll more than likely have to replace the kitchen tile floor.
Factors that affect the lifespan of your kitchen floor
Whether you’ve been researching the latest flooring trends or discovered the perfect kitchen floor tile shape and size for your home, you must consider several practical elements that will directly impact the lifespan of your kitchen floor before proceeding with your repair or replacement.
Durability
Durability is one of the most critical factors affecting your kitchen floor's lifespan. Kitchens are probably one of, if not the most, high-traffic areas in a house. As such, this area is prone to heavy use in the form of feet, spills, stains, and dropped items such as pans, dishes, and drinkware. With the average American spending over 400 hours in their kitchen each year, choosing scratch-resistant and long-lasting materials, such as porcelain, is crucial to prolonging your floor’s lifespan.
Widely considered the best kitchen tile, porcelain floor tiles like our Onyx White Blue are the most durable because they’re made of dense clay composition and high-temperature firing process. Choosing a highly durable tile is one of the top reasons people choose tile flooring, and it will ensure your kitchen floor withstands daily wear and tear, maintaining its appearance and function for years to come.
Material
Material is a crucial factor in determining the lifespan of your kitchen floor. If you’re debating ceramic vs. porcelain tiles, porcelain is more durable. However, ceramic tiles are usually less expensive and more comfortable to walk on and stand on.
By comparison, stone tiles like our Carrara White Hexagon are also great for kitchen floors. They come in various styles and will ensure your kitchen remains functionally and aesthetically appealing. On the other hand, glass tiles are not a good flooring choice for high-traffic areas such as the kitchen. They are prone to scratching and breaking over time.
Slippery Floors
Slip resistance directly affects the lifespan of your kitchen floor. These rooms are prone to spills, creating slipping hazards and leading to accidents that may cause tile damage or injury. Opting for textured or matte-finished tile, like our Princeton Glazze Linen Fresh White Glossy and Matte Hexagon, improves floor safety. It helps preserve its integrity by reducing wear and tear caused by frequent cleaning and accidental slips.
Water and Stain Resistance
If you’re replacing your kitchen floor tiles, choose a water and stain-resistant covering such as our Onyx White 24x48 Polished Porcelain Tile that ensures better protection against spills, stands up well to pet traffic, and prolongs the life of your flooring.
Ease of Maintenance
Certain styles of tiles, such as marble, like our Equator Grey 3x6 Beveled Polished Marble Subway Tile, require more maintenance. They demand frequent cleaning, sealing, and special care to preserve their appearance and durability. High-maintenance tiles are also more prone to staining, scratching, and damage from acidic substances. In other words, avoid the ones that require high maintenance unless you want to replace your kitchen floor tile regularly.
Installation Process
When making your selection, always consider the tile installation process. If you’ve dreamed of heated kitchen floors, read our floor tile installation guide to learn how complicated it is. While it might seem an easy process in your bathroom, it could be an entirely different experience in your Texas-sized kitchen.
Oasis Tile: Your Kitchen Floor Tile Specialist
Whether you have kitchen floor tiling that’s buckling or chipped, before you panic and rip it out, take a moment to read the aforementioned information along with our floor tile buying guide. Together, they’ll help you avoid some of the most common mistakes when choosing kitchen tiles and determine whether your floors are reparable or need replacement.
In the meantime, we at Oasis Tile will answer your questions and help you select a replacement tile if necessary. You can order samples to see how different options will look and feel in your space. So stop ignoring the cracks in your kitchen floor tile and figure out why they’re happening!
