Temporary Shower Tile Repair; A Complete Guide!

When you have an unpleasant tile problem in your bathroom, temporary shower tile repair might rescue the day.

So, what do you need to know about a temporary shower tile repair?

Several common shower tile issues can be temporarily fixed. Broken tiles, leaking tiles, or damaged cement boards are common sights. Mold buildups are also pretty usual. You can temporarily fix them by using epoxy resin, joining compounds. You can also replace the damaged parts for a temporary fix.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s still much more to discuss. 

So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading!

5 Common Shower Tile Issues With Temporary Repairs 

Here are 5 of the most common shower tile issues, along with why they happen and their temporary fixes: 

Problem	Reason	Temporary Repair
Broken Tile	Dropping a heavy object on it	Repair using epoxy resin
Leaking Shower Tile	Worn-down seals, Cracked or missing grout	Replace Damaged Parts
Damaged Cement Board Behind Shower Tile	Water leakage through the backer board	Replace Cement Board & Seal With Joint Compound
Mold and Mildew Buildup on Shower Tile and Grout	Too much dampness, Using hot water	Clean Using Homemade Grout & Floor Cleaner

Now, let’s dive deep into these problems and how you can temporarily fix them with ease:

Problem 1: Broken Tile

This happens when you accidentally drop something heavy on the tile.

Solution: Repair Using Epoxy Resin

Here is a detailed step-by-step guide for your DIY shower tile repair:

Tools Required:

• Epoxy resin or tile repair adhesive
• Small paintbrush
• Sandpaper
• Putty knife
• Plastic wrap
• Heavy object

Steps:

Grout can be cleaned using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. To do this, mix the two ingredients in a small bowl to form a paste, apply the paste to the grout lines, let it sit for a few minutes, scrub the grout lines with a brush, and rinse with warm water. The full process is demonstrated in the following video tutorial perfectly: 

PRO TIP: Use schluter strips to prevent the edges of your tiles from cracking!  

Problem 2: Leaking Shower Tile

Faulty parts and worn-down seals are the most common causes of shower leaks. Leaks can also be traced to the plumbing between the shower valve and the showerhead. Cracked or missing grout between the tiles can also cause water to leak through the exposed gaps. 

Solution: Replace Damaged Parts

Tools Required:

• Caulk remover tool 
• Grout saw or grout removal tool 
• Topical solvent-based clear-resin sealer like Celine
• Vinegar and baking soda 
• Protective gloves 
• Putty knife or spatula 
• Hammer and chisel 

Steps:

To fix it, remove the grout and caulk around the leaking tile, apply a waterproofing membrane. Then, reapply new grout and caulk. The process is described in this video:

Problem 3: Damaged Cement Board Behind Shower Tile

Water might leak through the backer board and ruin the cement board. This might cause tiles to slide off, or worse, mold, which can be dangerous to your family. 

Solution: Replace Cement Board & Seal With Joint Compound

If the cement board beneath your shower tile has been broken, you may make a temporary repair using the “cut and fill” approach, which is described below.

Tools required:

• Caulk remover tool
• Grout saw or grout removal tool
• Topical solvent-based clear-resin sealer like Celine
• Vinegar and baking soda
• Protective gloves
• Putty knife or spatula
• Hammer and chisel

Steps:

It is an easy process of removing the damaged tile and cutting out the damaged cement board. After that, you just install a new piece of cement board. Watch this video for the whole process: 

Problem 4: Mold and Mildew Buildup on Shower Tile and Grout

If you’ve ever wondered what mold smells like, it can give the shower area a musty or foul smell. You can go for the TimeMist Classic Metered or the Rubbermaid Commercial FG400695 if you’re looking for automatic fragrance dispensers to fight off this smell.

Shower tile and grout can get moldy and mildewed when hot water is used. This is because hot water makes the air damp which makes it easy for mold and mildew to grow.

Solution: Clean Using Homemade Grout & Floor Cleaner

Here are the tools you’ll need to fix mold and mildew on shower tile and grout:

• Spray bottle
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Dish soap
• Scrub brush or toothbrush
• Safety glasses
• Mask

Steps:

1. Make your own grout and floor cleaner by mixing 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tsp of dish soap.
2. Put the cleaning liquid on the shower’s grout and tiles.
3. Let the mixture soak in for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. To get rid of the mold and mildew, scrub the grout and tiles with a scrub brush or a toothbrush. Make sure you scrub in a circle to get into the grout’s pores.
5. Rinse the grout and floor with water to get rid of the cleaning mixture. Use a damp towel or sponge to scrape away any residue that is still there.
6. Load a spray bottle with white vinegar that hasn’t been watered down and spray it straight on the moldy areas. Let it settle for about 30 minutes, and then use a toothbrush or scrub brush to remove any leftover mold and mildew from the grout and tile. To get rid of the vinegar, rinse the grout and tile with water.

As mentioned, this is a temporary shower tile fix. Mold and mildew will grow back if you don’t clean and maintain the area regularly. It will create a bad impression even if you have a gojo soap dispenser in your bathroom.

Follow these and dazzle the guests with your shiny shower tiles, even if your bathtub is too long!

How do you waterproof leaking tiles?

First, cover the shower surfaces or tile backer board with a sealing layer before tiling. Now, use a shower pan cover to keep water from getting below and ruining the floor framing. Choose a waterproofing system like sheet membrane, liquid-applied membrane, or foamboard to make a fully watertight base system.

How do you close a gap in a shower tile?

Start by applying a grout saw or a rotating tool to cut out the old grout. Then, clean the space and let it dry completely. Now, use a grout float to add new grout to the gap, guaranteeing to fill it completely. Finally, use a wet sponge to wipe away any extra grout and let it dry completely.

Which grout is the most suitable for use in showers?

The best grout for showers is epoxy grout, which is waterproof and doesn’t grow mold or mildew. You can use grout made from cement in bathrooms, but it needs to be sealed to keep water out. Don’t use smooth grout in showers because it can damage the tiles.

End Note Temporary Shower Tile Repair

That’s all we’ve got for you. Hopefully, now, temporary shower tile repair will be an easy task for you.

We’ll be back with more interesting pieces for you. Until next time!