Can you replace cracked porcelain tiles without affecting the under floor heater and surrounding tiles?
I have dropped a number of heavy objects on our porcelain floor tiles since getting them done last year and now all the cracks have become more visible. My other half keeps telling me that it is impossible to replace them as this will affect our under floor heating and will have to replace the surrounding tiles as well and not just the cracked tiles – can anyone please tell me if this is true. I would really like to get them replaced but don’t really want to affect the under floor heating and the surrounding tiles as both will be quite pricey? Thanks.
You don’t state by which means the floor is heated, is the floor heated by a water carrying central heating unit ? or by an electric filament ? If the floor is heated by water then there is a good chance that you can replace the tiles with out damaging the the under laying piping, as they lay about 7-10 cm under the surface.But if the floor is heated by electricity then you have tobe very careful because the under-laying filament is nearly directly under the tile surface.You will need a rotating diamond cutter with a small diameter blade,about Ø30 mm. The cutters blade depth must be set to a depth that is less that the tile thickness, the web that is left should be about 0.7 to 1.2 mm thick, this you can control by cutting a spare tile.You then cut away the damaged tile by cutting groves in the one direction about 1 cm apart and then in other direction, so that small squares are made. You will now find that the small squares can now be easily removed, buy a gentle tap . You will of cause have to buy a cutter, and they are not cheap, professional tools seldom are.If you have free to air satellite then you will see such a cutter advertised.
How to Prep for a Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Floor