Tile Repairs & Re-grouting Kent

Nobody calls a tiler because something is going well. By the time someone picks up the phone about tile repairs or re-grouting, they have usually been putting it off — the cracked tile that appeared months ago, the grout that has gone grey and mouldy, the silicone joint that has peeled back from the wall.

ABC Tiling does repair and re-grouting work. Small jobs are welcome, no minimum size, and Gee approaches a repair with the same attention he gives a full installation. That means assessing why the problem occurred as well as fixing what is visible — a cracked tile often has a cause, and fixing the tile without addressing the cause means the problem comes back.

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What tile repair and re-grouting work includes

• Cracked and broken tile replacement — single tiles or multiple tiles, with careful attention to grout colour matching and adhesive coverage
• Loose tile re-fixing — tiles that have de-bonded from the wall or floor, often due to substrate movement or a previous poor installation
• Re-grouting — removing deteriorated or discoloured grout and replacing it, room by room or section by section
• Grout colour matching — a task that is harder than it sounds; Gee will tell you honestly if an exact match is not achievable and discuss options
• Silicone re-sealing — the junctions between tiles and the bath, shower tray, basin or floor are the points most likely to fail; re-sealing these correctly prevents water ingress
• Mouldy grout — treatment and replacement of grout affected by mould, with advice on ventilation and maintenance to prevent recurrence
• Rescue jobs — work that was done by another tiler, poorly, and needs professional correction

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Fixing other tilers' mistakes

This is worth addressing directly because it comes up in ABC Tiling's reviews more than once.

Some customers have found themselves with a bathroom or kitchen that was tiled by someone else — and tiled badly. Tiles that have not been bedded properly and subsequently cracked. Grout lines that are uneven or have been filled inconsistently. Silicone applied over dirty surfaces that has already started to peel. Tiles around a shower enclosure that have not been waterproofed behind them.

Gee takes on rescue jobs. He will assess the existing work honestly, tell you what can be saved and what cannot, and give you a clear plan for putting it right. He will not tell you everything needs to come out if it does not.

"Would highly recommend ABC tiling for all your tiling work. Gee was very professional and communicated really well throughout the whole process. He had to deliver us some pretty bad news due to poor workmanship before but he found solutions for us and completed the work needed quickly and was just efficient and tidy."

— October 2020

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"Gee is definitely the man to see for all your tiling. Gee and Brian have just finished my en-suite that was previously done badly. The results now are amazing. Every little detail was thought out from the strip out of the old en-suite, the prep work, the tiling, plumbing, advice on tiles and ordering the materials. Both very trustworthy tradesmen."

— February 2021

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"After a really bad experience with another business, Gee came to my rescue with repairing the damage done and even supporting me with finding a plumber to prepare the work. Couldn't be happier with my new bathroom floor — so much so I have already booked in to overhaul my kitchen floor."

— October 2020

When a job has been done badly and then fixed by someone who takes care, the contrast is significant. Several customers who came to Gee following poor previous work have become repeat customers and recommended him to others — partly because the before/after experience makes the quality of his work especially visible.

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Re-grout or re-tile? How to decide

This is the question most homeowners have before they make contact, and the answer depends on the specific situation.

Re-grouting makes sense when:

• The tiles themselves are in good condition — firmly fixed, uncracked, still the right colour
• The grout has deteriorated: it is crumbling, discoloured, or affected by mould that is not responding to cleaning products
• The problem is cosmetic and the tiles do not need to move

Re-tiling makes more sense when:

• Tiles are cracked, chipped or have lifted away from the wall or floor
• The original installation was poor and the tiles are not sitting flat or level
• The grout problems are a symptom of tiles that have not been bedded correctly — loose tiles allow movement which breaks grout lines
• The design is dated and the homeowner wants a different look alongside a fresh finish

Re-grouting is a fraction of the cost of re-tiling and can transform the appearance of a bathroom or kitchen that is otherwise in good shape. If the tiles are sound, re-grouting is usually the right answer. Gee will tell you which category your job falls into during the initial visit.

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What re-grouting involves

Removing old grout and replacing it properly is more involved than it looks. The old grout has to be cut out cleanly without chipping the tile edges — a task that requires the right tools and careful work. Once the old grout is removed, the joints are cleaned out and new grout applied and finished. Depending on the tile type, the grout may be sealed once cured.

The most common mistake in DIY re-grouting is applying new grout over old grout without removing it first. This produces a surface that looks improved initially but fails quickly — the new grout has nothing to grip and soon cracks or discolours in the same places. Proper re-grouting means full removal and fresh application to a clean joint.

Silicone replacement at junctions is always done as part of a re-grouting job — the flexible joint at the bottom of a tiled wall and around sanitaryware is the first place water finds its way behind tiles, and it is the joint most affected by movement between surfaces.

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Cracked tile replacement — what is involved

Replacing a single cracked tile without disturbing the surrounding tiles requires care. The broken tile is drilled out from the centre and chipped away cleanly. The adhesive bed behind is checked and repaired if needed. The replacement tile is fitted with matching adhesive and then grouted to match — or as closely as possible — the existing grout colour and joint width.

Matching an existing grout colour from years ago is sometimes straightforward, sometimes not. Gee will tell you upfront if the match is going to be close or if there will be a visible difference, and discuss options — including grouting the entire area of visible tiles in the same colour to create a uniform finish.

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How a repair job works

1. Call or message. Describe what you have — a cracked tile, deteriorating grout, silicone that needs replacing, or something more substantial. Gee will ask a few questions and, depending on the scope, may be able to give you a rough indication of what is involved before visiting.

2. Site visit. For anything beyond a very straightforward single-tile replacement, Gee will come to the property and look at the issue in person. He will assess the extent of the problem, identify whether there are underlying causes, and give you a clear picture of what the repair involves.

3. Written quote. You receive a written quote before any work begins.

4. The repair. Gee carries out the work, keeping the area tidy and removing all waste. On completion he will go through the repaired area with you.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to re-grout or re-tile? In most cases where the tiles themselves are in good condition and firmly fixed, re-grouting is sufficient. If tiles are cracked, loose, or the original installation was poor, re-tiling is usually the right answer. Gee will assess this during a site visit and give you an honest recommendation.

How much does tile re-grouting cost? The cost varies with the size of the area and the number of surfaces involved. A small shower enclosure costs significantly less than a full bathroom re-grout. Gee provides a free written quote after a site visit — contact him with a description of the job and he will arrange a time to come and look.

How do I know if my tiles need re-grouting? Visible signs include: grout that is crumbling or cracking, persistent dark staining that does not respond to cleaning, a powdery or sandy texture to the grout, and mould that keeps coming back despite regular cleaning. The silicone joint at the base of tiled walls and around sanitaryware is often the first area to show failure — if it has peeled back or gone black, that is worth addressing promptly to prevent water getting behind the tiles.

Can you match existing grout colour? Often yes, particularly if the tiles and existing grout are relatively recent. If the grout is years old and has been discoloured over time, an exact match is harder. Gee will look at your existing grout during the site visit and advise on how close a match he can achieve — and whether it is worth re-grouting the full visible area to create a uniform finish.

Do you fix work done badly by other tilers? Yes. This is a regular part of the work. Gee will assess the existing installation honestly, advise on what can be saved and what needs to come out, and give you a clear plan and written quote for the correction.

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Get in touch about a repair

Call: 07961 795424 Email: info.abctiling@gmail.com

Request a free quote →

No job too small. Covering: Greenhithe · Stone · Gravesend · Longfield · Bean · New Barn