How to Repair Loose or Hollow Tiles with Fix-A-Floor®

How to Repair Loose or Hollow Tiles with Fix-A-Floor®

Do you have tiles that move, creak, or sound hollow when you walk across them? You’re not alone. Over time, even the best-installed floors can loosen due to foundation settlement, subfloor movement, or poor initial installation. Fortunately, there’s an easy and permanent solution — and it doesn’t require tearing up your floors.

With Fix-A-Floor Injection Repair Adhesive, you can repair loose or hollow tiles quickly and affordably, restoring your floor’s original stability and sound. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn exactly how to fix your tile floor yourself — without the mess, expense, or downtime of tile replacement.

What You’ll Need for the Project

Before getting started, gather the following materials:

  • Wooden dowel or tool handle
  • Chalk or painter’s tape
  • Masonry drill bit
  • Power drill
  • Rubber mallet
  • Shop vac or household vacuum
  • Fix-A-Floor Injection Repair Adhesive
  • Utility knife or razor
  • Caulking gun
  • Fix-A-Floor Adhesive & Residue Remover
  • 2.5-gallon bucket filled with water (for weight)
  • Cloth and sponge for clean-up
  • Fix-A-Floor Tile Grout

Optional accessories for precision work:

  • Fix-A-Floor Micro Injection Nozzle for narrow grout lines
  • Fix-A-Floor Gallon Jug and 60 mL Syringe Kit for larger project areas


Step-by-Step: How to Repair Loose or Hollow Tiles

Step 1: Identify the Problem Area

Use a wooden dowel or handle to gently tap around the tiles. Hollow spots will produce an echoing sound. Once you locate the problem area, mark the perimeter using chalk or painter’s tape.

Step 2: Drill Ventilation Holes

Using a masonry bit just wide enough to fit between tiles (without touching them), drill straight down into the grout line on each side of the tile.

For larger tiles, drill two holes per side to ensure proper ventilation and even adhesive flow. Avoid drilling too deep — you don’t want to puncture the subfloor.

Step 3: Remove Loose Debris

Using a rubber mallet and a shop vac or household vacuum, clear out any dust or debris from the holes. This step ensures the adhesive bonds securely to the subfloor and tile.

Step 4: Prepare the Fix-A-Floor Cartridge

  1. Remove the cap and cut the nozzle so it fits snugly into the drilled holes.
  2. Take off the nozzle, then use a utility knife to snip the cartridge nub.
  3. Reattach the nozzle and keep the cartridge upright until you’re ready to use it.

Step 5: Inject the Adhesive

Load the cartridge into your caulking gun. Press the tip firmly into one of the drilled holes and slowly apply pressure to inject the adhesive.

The Fix-A-Floor formula self-levels and flows into voids beneath the tile. You’ll know it’s full when adhesive begins to flow from the adjacent holes. Repeat this process for each drilled hole.

Pro Tip: For narrow grout lines, use the Fix-A-Floor Micro Injection Nozzle with a 14-gauge blunt needle, or try the Fix-A-Floor Gallon Jug with Syringe for even greater precision.

Step 6: Clean Excess Adhesive

Immediately wipe up any overflow with a damp sponge. If any residue dries on the tile surface, simply use Fix-A-Floor Adhesive & Residue Remover for an easy clean-up.

Step 7: Apply Weight While Curing

To ensure a strong, lasting bond, place 20–40 pounds of weight over the repaired area for at least 24 hours. A 2.5-gallon bucket of water works perfectly for ceramic or porcelain tile; use a 5-gallon bucket for heavier flooring like marble.

Step 8: Re-Grout and Finish

Once the adhesive is fully cured, fill the drilled holes with Fix-A-Floor Tile Grout. Wait 15–20 minutes, then smooth with a damp sponge. When the grout has dried, polish the area with a dry cloth.

Your repaired tiles should now feel as solid and sound as the day they were installed — no more movement, wobble, or echo!

 

Additional Tips

  • Fix-A-Floor is not recommended for areas exposed to standing water, such as pools, fountains, or outdoor patios that collect water.
  • It can be safely used in bathrooms or showers if the subfloor is completely dry and the tile surface is properly sealed after application.

 

Restore Your Floors the Easy Way

Loose and hollow tiles don’t have to mean a costly renovation. With Fix-A-Floor Injection Repair Adhesive, you can fix loose floor tiles without removing them, restoring your floor’s integrity in just a few easy steps.

Fix-A-Floor: The Original Injection Repair Adhesive for Loose and Hollow Flooring.

Regresar al blog