Hairline crack in bathroom tile

happy_2008 · 6 Jul 2020 at 14:37

Hi Guys,
I have a hairline crack in the bathroom just below the shower thermo unit that runs across the wall (under a meter wide). Will this be a problem in terms of water or is this ok?

Also, what options do i have to repair this apart from replacing the tile? I doubt i would be able to find an exact match for the tile.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 6 Jul 2020 at 14:41

it will likely seep water if it comes in direct contact but if its an absolute hairline you may get away with it

Most obvious repair option is silicon. You can force a tiny amount into the crack, when dry, and it should waterproof.
Depends on what colour tiles you have as to if you can get a decent match, If not I would tend to go with clear myself.

happy_2008 · 6 Jul 2020 at 14:44

Maybe i will mask the area up and squeeze some silicone inbetween.

pepp77 · 6 Jul 2020 at 15:19

Maybe a good waterproof superglue instead of silicon would work - I know silicon usually looks messy, but superglue to "close" the crack might work better.

happy_2008 · 6 Jul 2020 at 15:35

pepp77 said:
Maybe a good waterproof superglue instead of silicon would work - I know silicon usually looks messy, but superglue to "close" the crack might work better.

True and it would be a lot easier to apply too but i think silicone would be better for water proofing. I think if i run masking tape along the side it should be ok but just fiddly.

Abyss · 7 Jul 2020 at 10:07

If I couldn't replace the tile I'd mix up some 2 part epoxy, work it into the crack with a plastic card, scrape it flat then buff off any remaining residue. Will last far longer than superglue. Superglue is good at bonding two surfaces together but pretty poor at filling small gaps. Silicone will work but it's a pain to clean up and likely you'll end up getting silicone all over the tile before you can work much into the crack.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/araldite...ealantsadhesives-_-araldite&_requestid=202475

Orionaut · 7 Jul 2020 at 10:12

Why has it cracked?

Did you knock it or has there been movement?

Or has water already got behind the tiles and blown them?

happy_2008 · 7 Jul 2020 at 12:36

Abyss said:
If I couldn't replace the tile I'd mix up some 2 part epoxy, work it into the crack with a plastic card, scrape it flat then buff off any remaining residue. Will last far longer than superglue. Superglue is good at bonding two surfaces together but pretty poor at filling small gaps. Silicone will work but it's a pain to clean up and likely you'll end up getting silicone all over the tile before you can work much into the crack.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/araldite...ealantsadhesives-_-araldite&_requestid=202475

What is this stuff like to work with? I was thinking of masking the crack both sides and then applying either silicone or this epoxy as this would make it a lot tidier? Also is this stuff waterproof?

200sols · 7 Jul 2020 at 13:10

Silicone and wonder wipes. Rub silicone in the cracks and clean off excess with the wipes. Dont make an easy job difficult.

happy_2008 · 7 Jul 2020 at 13:17

200sols said:
Silicone and wonder wipes. Rub silicone in the cracks and clean off excess with the wipes. Dont make an easy job difficult.

True but because the cracks are really fine, i would be worried that the wonder wipes would also wipe off all the sealant

happy_2008 · 7 Jul 2020 at 14:25

Went with silicone in the end as i bought a new tube a couple weeks back! Was a quick job, the masking or the crack on both sides was the time consuming part but all done within 30mins.

Thanks for the advice