If you have uneven tile edges, they’re unattractive and can affect the appearance of your flooring.
They’re very easy to fix, though. All you have to do is apply grout to the exposed edges.
Once it dries, your tiles will be flawless. So, how do you fix uneven tile edges?
Tile edges can be uneven for a number of reasons. For example, the tiles may have been laid unevenly.
Or the tilers may not have cut tiles properly. Luckily, there are a few ways to fix uneven tile edges.
First, you can cut tiles to size with a tile cutter. Second, you can trim the tiles with a wet saw.
Third, you can sand the tiles down and reglaze them. Finally, you can replace some of the tiles.
Each of these methods has its pros and cons, so it’s important to consider which one is right for your project.
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How to Fix Uneven Tile Edges
Having uneven edges on your tile floors could be due to several factors, but the good news is that you can fix them without replacing the entire floor.
Depending on the cause of the uneven edges, there are a number of solutions you can consider.
Here are some effective methods to correct uneven tile edges:
Check the Subfloor
If the subfloor is uneven, it will be reflected in the tile edges. Fixing the subfloor will correct the uneven tile edges. Depending on the problem, this may require making the subfloor level or adding more support.
Use Spacers
Use spacers between the tiles to achieve an even grout line. Spacers can also be used if the tiles are laid too far apart. This will prevent the grout from cracking.
Grout Expansion
The grout expands when it cures, which can result in uneven tile edges. To prevent this, ensure there is enough space in the grout joints to allow for expansion.
Tile Replacement
If the tiles are not properly installed or if the grout has cracked, you will need to replace them. However, if the tiles are of good quality but the edges are still uneven, you can grind off the edges.
Grout Removal
When there is excessive and loose grout, it can cause the tiles to become uneven at the edges. In this case, you will need to remove the grout and reapply it.
Groutreplacement
When there is excessive moisture in the grout, the grout will crack and cause the tiles to become dirty.
Precautions While Fixing Uneven Tile Edges
Your house’s floor is made up of several different types of tiles, which extend from walls to ceilings and everywhere in between. As time passes, the tiles may become uneven, cracked, and chipped. When this happens, you must know how to fix it.
First thing’s first—you need to identify the kind of tile edge you have. You have three options—straight, bevelled, and bullnose. Here’s how to fix them:
Straight Edge
Straight edges are the easiest to fix. You can fix the uneven edges by trimming them to match the rest of the tile. This simply means you pull out the tile that has the edges that are uneven and trim it until it matches the other tiles.
Bevelled Edge
A bevelled edge is another type of edge you will see around the house. It’s basically a bevelled tile. The bevelled edge is angled and needs to be cut out and replaced with a straight tile.
Bullnose Edge
A bullnose edge is a rounded edge that’s found on most ceramic and porcelain floor tiles. You can cut a bullnose edge using a grinder with a diamond blade or by using a tile saw with a diamond blade.
How to Prevent Tiles from Having Uneven Edges
Uneven edges can make tiles look ugly and unprofessional. That’s why you want to make sure that your tiles have straight edges. Here are four tips that will help you make your tiles look straight.
The surface of your tiles should be perfectly flat and smooth in order to create a uniform look. A slight bump on a tile can cause uneven edges. A level can be used to check the consistency of the tile surface.
Test the tile surface before installation to ensure that it’s perfectly flat. Use a square to make sure the edge is straight.
If the edges of the tiles are not straight, use a tile cutter or a wet saw to trim them. Ensure that the tiles are clean before cutting so that the edges don’t stain.
Apply a sealant to the tile edges after you install them. This will ensure that the edge is sealed off from any water that may get to the edge.
Different Problems Regarding Tiles Installation
Vertical Lines
If you see vertical lines on the bottom of a wall, it means that the wall is not level or the cement is not dry enough to hold the weight of the wall.
To correct any unevenness on the wall, mix 1/2 cup of powdered lime with 1 gallon of water and apply the mixture to the walls.
Uneven Tile Edges
If one set of tiles meets another at an angle, then it’s a misaligned set of your floor tiles.
To stop this from happening, extra strips of material may need to be cut or taken away before the tiles are put in place.
Crack in a Wall
Cracks in your walls can be caused by anything. There’s the possibility that the foundation is not strong enough to support the structure. If your house’s foundation is not straight, this means that the house is not level.
It’s a good idea to check the foundation before fixing the cracks. Make a level test to determine your foundation’s levels before fixing any cracks in the walls.
Missing Tiles
If you’re missing tiles, they were probably broken during installation.
Examine the closed wall on either side of your missing tile. If the wall meets in the same place on both sides of the missing tile, then it’s most likely that the missing tile was simply broken during installation.
Remove the tile from the floor and replace it after repairing the broken tile or the entire wall.
Wet Spots from Cement or Grout
Wet spots are caused by mixing too much water with the cement mixture or grout. The wet spot on the ceiling usually goes all the way to the floor, making the area appear dirty and unsightly.
Should Tile Trim Be Flush With Tiles?
Many people think that tile trim should be flush with the tiles.
This makes sense because tile trim is usually referred to as “tile molding” or “tile trim molding.” However, this isn’t always the case. In fact, many tile trims are slightly raised from the tiles.
Tile trim can also vary in color, shape, and size. For example, some tile trim is square while others are round.
Furthermore, some tile trim is thin while others are thick. Tile trim is very versatile, and the design of the tile trim can make a big difference in how the bathroom looks.
Overall, the tile trim is not flush with the tiles.
How Do You Round the Edges of Tile?
Tile edges need to be rounded so they don’t look sharp.
This is easy to do using a simple tile tool. First, run a bead of tile adhesive on the area that you want the tile to go on.
Next, press the tile firmly into place using your hands. Finally, pull the tile tool over the tile edge at a 15-degree angle.
This cuts off the corners and makes the tile edges look rounded and smooth.
Can Tile Lippage Be Fixed?
Lippage refers to the unevenness of a floor when it’s walked on.
Lippage occurs because the subfloor is not smooth and even. This unevenness isn’t visible when the floor is viewed from above, only from below.
Lippage is common when tile is installed over plywood subfloors. However, it’s not a problem if the subfloor is level and smooth.
A pro can fix lippage by grinding the subfloor or applying a layer of cement backer board over the plywood subfloor. This fixes the unevenness under the tile, preventing it from cracking in the future.
Overall, lippage can be a problem when tile is installed over plywood subfloors. But a professional can fix this by grinding down the subfloor or putting a cement backer board over it.
Also Read: How To Have Two Switches With One Exhaust Fan
Final Words
Now that we’ve gone over how to fix uneven tile edges, it’s time to wrap things up.
Fixing uneven tile edges is tricky because the tiles are usually glued down. First, you must remove and replace the tiles with the damaged edges.
Then, you must glue the new tiles down in the correct place. Finally, you must clean the tiles and grout lines, then seal them.
This process can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it to achieve a gorgeous result.
