Tile, cracked, replacing

Vinyl tile is a commorily used material for the floors in a laboratory because it is easy to maintain and inexpensive to install. Ease of maintenance is not the case for a tile floor in a laboratory using mercury, because of the propensity of the extremely small (20 microns or less) mercury droplets to collect in the cracks. A seamless vinyl or poured epoxy floor should be used instead, with the joints of the floor with the wall being curved or coved. Similarly, the bench top should be curved where it joins the back panel. Existing tile floors, especially the smaller 9 inch X 9 inch size, frequently represent an additional maintenance problem since a large proportion contain asbestos, as may the mastic holding them to the floor. When these tiles need replacing, the work must be done in conformance with EPA and OSHA asbestos standards and can be very costly. One procedure to be avoided at all costs is to grind up the old tile. This can distribute asbestos fibers so widely that the already expensive asbestos removal can be made prohibitively so. 

The tiles must also be inspected. A goal for the TTPS was to inspect the tiles more accurately than the human eye and therefore reduce the need for multiple inspections. During launch, reentry, and transport, a number of defects can occur on the tiles in the form of scratches, cracks, gouges, discoloring, and erosion of surfaces. The examination of the tiles determines if they need to be replaced or repaired. The typical procedures involve visual inspection of each tile to see if there is any damage and then assessment and categorization of the defects according to detailed checklists. Later, work orders are issued for repair of individual tiles. 

If contamination has permeated deeply into the work and floor surfaces and into seams and cracks in the floor, it may be simpler to remove some of the surface and to remove and replace floor tile than to attempt cleaning. If the floor tile contains asbestos, as older 9 inch tiles very often do, the removal would have to be done according to OSHA and EPA restrictions on asbestos removal. 

How broken is a broken ceramic tile on the floor or bathroom wall If the answer is Not so broken, you might be able to avoid replacing it (see A Simple Fix, opposite). But if the ceramic tile now carries a star-shaped pattern of cracks as if struck with a hammer or if sections of tile have been crushed or lost, you ll have to replace it. If you live in an older home, it may be a major challenge to find just the right replacement tile. If you don t have any leftover tiles, bring broken pieces with you to a tile store, where you should be able to find a reasonable replacement. 

A crack may not necessitate replacement. If the crack hasn t deformed the shape of the tile or if there aren t chunks missing, try painting over it with pigment and tile filler. Mix paint that exactly matches your tile color with tile filler, then dab it onto the crack with a cotton swab. If the crack is more than a hairline, try to push the filler into its depths. Don t worry about filler spilling over the edges. Once the mixture is tacky but not dry, wipe the area with a damp cloth. Ideally, you ll be able to pull the filler and paint down to the level of the crack, leaving a smooth repair. 

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