Symptoms
- Small piece of the tile surface missing
- Rough edge where the chip occurred
- Often at a corner or edge of the tile
- Color of the exposed area differs from the glaze
Likely causes
- CommonDropped heavy or sharp objectA dropped pan, tool, or heavy item chips the glazed surface on impact.
- CommonImpact from moving furniture or appliancesDragging or bumping heavy items can chip an edge or corner.
- PossibleAge and brittleness of older tileOlder tile can chip more easily than modern, harder-fired tile.
- Less commonManufacturing flaw creating a weak spotOccasionally a factory defect leaves a tile more prone to chipping.
What to do
- Clean the chipped area and surrounding tile so you can see the exact size and color of the exposed spot.
- For a very small chip, a color-matched tile touch-up or repair kit (epoxy-based) can fill and blend the area.
- Apply the filler slightly proud of the surface, let it cure, then sand or buff level per the kit's instructions.
- For a larger or more visible chip, especially on a prominent floor, consider full tile replacement for a cleaner result.
- If replacing, follow the same process as a cracked tile: remove surrounding grout, break out the tile, clean the substrate, and install a matching replacement.
- Keep a few spare tiles from the original installation, if available, for exact color and pattern matches on future repairs.
- Add furniture pads and care when moving heavy items to prevent future chips.
Tools and parts
- Fine sandpaper
- Small putty knife
Tile chip repair kitSearch: “ceramic tile chip repair kit”
When to call a pro
Call a tile professional for a larger, more visible chip if you want a full tile swap rather than a filled patch.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.