Hiding a Tile Floor Crack Update March 23 2022

This is an update of a video I made nearly 10 years ago. I am repairing the same crack but this time the crack has widened and the old method did not work. I show you a new method using inexpensive materials to hide about 95% of the crack. The cracks I repaired in this video were fairly wide probably the widest was close to 1 mm. It is much easier to do this rather than creating a mess with a hammer and chisel to remove the broken tile. The tile repaired in the video required paint since the separation due to the crack was fairly large and visible. I also used egg shell finish so that type of finish is not as porous and would not pick up as much dirt as a flat finish would. Leave comments below or ask questions and I will get back to you. The earlier video is shown here.
• Hiding a Tile Floor Crack
Video Editor - DaVinci Resolve 17
Phone - Google Pixel 6 Pro
Sunscreen for controller - tinyurl.com/y7f3k7bu (not used in this video but needed it)
Range Extender - tinyurl.com/yclk2dl4
Video Camera - GoPro Hero 10, GoPro Hero8 Black, Hero3 Black
Still Camera - Canon T6i DSLR
Lapel Microphone - tinyurl.com/kpp6ukru
Studio Microphone - tinyurl.com/tu6ucz7w
Samsung Tablet - tinyurl.com/y4unnz5y
Screen Protector for Tablet - tinyurl.com/yyunl6l2
Tablet Holder - tinyurl.com/y6pse4l6
OTG Cable to Connect Controller to Tablet - tinyurl.com/y2ram2nz

[@jamesmcneice7825]

Great idea, thanks for the update!

[@tonydelplato]

Thanks for the tips about filling & coloring cracks in tiles.

[@louisaweideman6922]

Great idea, definitely going to do it, thanks

[@Kimber99]

I liked the version in your first video better. You use fewer products and it's a quicker process. Also, the crack looks less visible. TFS!🤗

[@santokki0502]

This saved me so much time, money and effort. Thanks for the video!

[@memphisstreetdoc3936]

We have the same floor tiles in a home we're about to buy, same colors.. this will be amazing !

[@angelamerola4962]

i will try it! mines are mostly chipped

[@kathybradley4609]

Thanks for the video--I am going to try this on a tile crack i discovered recently!

[@brice5542]

good job i have been doing this for 33 years,

[@jeepee7091]

Nice, thank you!

[@Ecohen52784]

Very nice

[@Rigmor_Talonbeard]

If your house flipping just do it properly. If it's your house to keep, and you can't find more identical tiles at the store. Then this could be alright till you can replace it all or just take a loss on resale

[@janean3773]

We have 3-4 porcelain tiles that are cracked. Two are actually slightly raised where the cracks are. Should we try to sand the edge first or...? Thx!

[@RottenWoodInPower]

Any idea on chips not cracks?

[@julianapatrick7451]

I can barely hear you because you don't speak up enough and you showed the product to fix it but the label was sideways and I cant see the name?

[@kathybradley4609]

Is there a preference as to using Elmers white or the wood glue?

[@MarioNappa]

No preference.

[@nana_gmc8617]

I saw another video that used epoxy to fill in the crack. Would you recommend this?

[@MarioNappa]

You would need to be able to color the epoxy to match. Do they tell you how to do it?

[@nana_gmc8617]

no@@MarioNappa

[@user-kn6vy8mb8k]

Mapei here in Australia sell 33 different colours available in epoxy

[@antoniozuniga5815]

Great, i have some cracks to fix. Thanks

[@gameon41]

Great video. Is this a water based paint or oil based and will this technique work with small holes or chips in tiles.

[@MarioNappa]

This was water based paint. I guess you can use oil base or nail polish as well if you can get the write color and you have the right solvent to deal with it. I think there are other methods for chips that I have seen that might be better.

[@benmurray2325]

​@@MarioNappaHell yeah, thanks Mario. Also don't forget to update your bio to say the new year! Thanks for the tips sir

[@isinet2813]

hi, how much time between each step? It seems from the video you went from the glue straight to the grout, then paint, etc. Also, how long did you wait between number of paint coats, approximately. Thanks!

[@MarioNappa]

You immediately add the grout to the wet paint so it sticks to the paint. I think if you wait two hours between coats of paint, that should be enough.

[@isinet2813]

@@MarioNappa Thanks Mario! I'm leaving just now to go try this in a rental apartment... Best wishes.

[@manestage5403]

@@isinet2813 Did it work?

[@isinet2813]

@@manestage5403 👋 Hi, yes it works well enough to get you through some period of time (time will vary). My case: it's a rental apt & I really only had one chance to do it, I went back 2-3 dys later & was surprised how well it seems to "set together" if that makes sense. That white glue worked real well for me, it seemed to bond good to the tile which was surprising. Make sure you match the color of your tile.

[@manestage5403]

@@isinet2813 Thank you so much! Very helpful. In the comment section of videos like this, many people say they will do something, but they never come to tell everyone how it went. lol

[@marycampbell9539]

Did you use a flat enamel paint?

[@MarioNappa]

Use semigloss. Does absorb dirt as much.

[@dbrown597]

Would you recommend satin finish or semigloss. I know both are washable/scrub able. I just discovered one or two tiles like this and am interested in trying this

[@MarioNappa]

@@dbrown597 Try to match the gloss of the tile.

[@mariaeastcoast3271]

This is almost the exact thing I need to do. But my tile crack (like most, I think) is due to the floor being uneven. So won’t the crack just reappear pretty quickly?

[@williampagdon4822]

You are correct that the Crack will likely return (you can see the crack in Video keeps getting longer and the Tiles may all be flexing in a Void). With any kind of Tile (Floor, Wall, Ceramic, Vinyl, Wood, etc.) it is always best to have a flat surface to mount the Tile. There are many different Sub-Surfaces and each has its own method of smoothing, but it really helps, especially with Cermaic Floor Tile to avoid cracking. Typically, it is best to not Sand the Surface (Floor or Wall) that the Tile will be glued to, if it is too smooth the Glue may not hold as well. Typically, the Surface of the Tile that takes the Glue is manufactured to be porous enough to hold the Glue. With Ceramic Tile you need proper Spacing to allow for expansion that is filled with Grout.

[@jeremyhatchett8105]

What ia the powder you are putting down?

[@MarioNappa]

It is grout to match the color of the tile NOT the color of the grout you have in the areas between the tiles.

[@chada472]

The cracks mean the concrete is cracking exactly like the tile shows.

[@jinnierivera3267]

What is that powder filling called? Is there a link for that?

[@MarioNappa]

It's grout. You can get it to match the tile - NOT the grout used in the area.

[@jinnierivera3267]

Can you give us the brand? The link?

[@MarioNappa]

@@jinnierivera3267 Just go to Home Depot or Lowes or a Tile Store and buy grout to match the color of the tile. Any grout brand will work. You just need to make sure the color matches the tile.

[@ilexparaquaensis3861]

That tile cracked because it's poorly glued! First you need to find the place where it is not stuck. This can be detected by double-clicking. Then holes are drilled in the joints in places where it is not glued. Then, with the help of a syringe, the diluted glue is injected into the holes and it is observed whether it starts to flow through the adjacent holes. After curing, the crack can be repaired!

[@MarioNappa]

No, the tile cracked due to a crack in the slab.

[@Powerskaty]

You need to steam mop. I bet your grout isn't that color.

[@MarioNappa]

It actually is that color.

[@drriveramelo]

This video can (and should) be about 3 minutes long…

[@MarioNappa]

Yes. I could have done a better job editing.

[@SAUCE206]

Idk this kinda seemed like a hack job to me.

[@justmythoughts6313]

It says to hide it...I would much rather do this and be done in an hour, as long as it's not visible to the naked eye. Especially as a fix until you're ready to replace the floor.

[@williampagdon4822]

You are correct. I was thinking the same as I was watching this. Although I typically have done things "The Right Way", which in this case would be to remove the Tiles, repair the Sub-Surface and replace the Tiles, that is not always practical for everyone for many reasons (Cost, Ability of Resident, future Plans, etc.). My "Old Worn-Out Ranch-Style Home" will likely be Bulldozed in a few years, so I just want to do some quick fixes for aesthetics, while not investing Time and Money into a Major Project.

[@tomtracymusic]

Way to long, does he not understand what fast forward is?

[@justmythoughts6313]

You have the same option when watching it.