Cracked tile and crumbling grout don’t always mean a full replacement, and in most Chicago homes they don’t. Cracked tile and crumbling grout don’t always mean a full replacement. At TileMasters, we repair and restore damaged tile and grout, matching existing materials so the fix blends seamlessly with the rest of your space.
Whether it’s a few cracked tiles, discolored grout, or a failing shower seal, our team delivers a clean, lasting repair without the cost of tearing everything out.
From cracked tile to failing grout lines, we handle the full range of tile and grout repair work.
Removing crumbling or damaged grout and replacing it for a clean, watertight finish that stops moisture in its tracks.
Repairing or replacing cracked and chipped tiles so your floor or wall looks whole again before the damage spreads.
Full re-grouting of a room to refresh discolored or aging grout lines throughout, restoring a clean, uniform look.
Applying a fresh sealer to protect grout lines from moisture and staining going forward, extending the life of your tile.
Removing old, cracked caulk at corners and edges and replacing it with a clean, flexible, watertight seal.
Re-securing loose or hollow-sounding tile before it cracks or becomes a much bigger, more expensive problem.
A proper repair can extend the life of your tile for a fraction of the cost of a full replacement.
Sealing cracks and failing grout early stops moisture from reaching your subfloor and walls.
Fresh grout and repaired tile can make an entire room look new again, without a remodel.
Repairing damaged areas is almost always far less expensive than replacing all the tile.
Timely repairs protect the investment you have already made in your tile for years to come.
A clear, proven 5-step process from first inspection to final walkthrough.
We start by looking at the failing area and, more importantly, working out why it failed. Crumbling grout, cracked tile, and loose pieces are usually symptoms of something underneath, whether that is movement in the substrate, a missing expansion joint, or water getting past a failed caulk line. We tell you honestly what we find and give you a written estimate for the repair rather than pushing you straight to a full replacement.
Before removing anything, we work on matching your existing tile and grout as closely as possible. We take a sample, check the color against grout charts in natural light, and account for the fact that your existing grout has aged and lightened. If your tile is discontinued, which happens often, we will tell you upfront how close a match we can realistically get so you can decide how to proceed.
We remove the failing grout or damaged tile carefully, using the right tools so we do not chip the surrounding pieces or damage the waterproofing behind them. This is the step where rushing causes the most damage, because a slipped grinder turns a small repair into a much larger one. We protect the surrounding area and control the dust throughout.
Damaged tiles are replaced and re grouted, loose tiles are re bedded properly rather than just filled around the edges, and failing caulk joints are cut out and redone. Where the original failure was caused by a missing movement joint, we install one so the same crack does not simply come back in a year. The goal is a repair that blends in and actually lasts.
We clean the repaired area thoroughly, remove all grout haze, and apply sealer where the material calls for it. Then we walk the repair with you, show you what was done and why the original failure happened, and explain what to watch for going forward. If we think the underlying issue will eventually need a bigger fix, we will say so rather than leave you to find out later.
Common questions from Chicago homeowners before starting a repair project.
Most repairs take a few hours to a full day, depending on how much area is affected and whether tiles need replacing rather than just regrouting. A full room regrout takes longer, usually one to two days including cure time before you can use the space normally. We confirm the timeline during the free estimate.
Usually we can get very close, though it depends on the tile. If it is a current product we can often source an exact match, and we always keep an eye out for leftover boxes in your basement or crawlspace, which homeowners have more often than they think. If the tile is discontinued we will show you the closest option and be upfront about how noticeable the difference will be.
Less than most people expect. Grout removal does create dust, so we mask off the area, use dust control, and protect the surrounding surfaces and fixtures. It is a far smaller disruption than a full retile, and in most cases you have the room back the same day or the next, rather than being without a bathroom for weeks.
The rule of thumb is the extent and the cause. If the grout is failing but the tile is sound and well bonded, a repair or regrout is the right call and will save you a lot of money. If tiles are loose across a wide area, the substrate is moving, or there is water damage behind the tile, a repair is only a temporary fix and we will tell you that honestly.
Cost depends on the size of the affected area, whether tiles need replacing, and how difficult the material is to match. A targeted repair is generally a small fraction of what a full replacement costs, which is why it is worth having someone look before assuming you need to start over. We provide a detailed free estimate either way.
A look at recent tile and grout repair work across Chicago and the suburbs.
Get a free, no-obligation estimate for your tile or grout repair today. Serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
