Author Topic: Fixing a broken ceramic tile soap dish  (Read 3049 times)

FLBiker

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Fixing a broken ceramic tile soap dish
« on: October 04, 2018, 01:47:41 PM »
My 3.5 year old DD broke the soap dish off the wall above one of our sinks.  I'd like to repair it in a way that is durable, easy, and at least moderately aesthetically pleasing.  I'm not worried about it looking "like new" though, as nothing in our 1964 house does.  Whoever buys it from us (likely in a year or two) will probably gut the bathrooms and kitchens, and this won't be the only piece of repaired tile work when the time comes to sell.

What should I use as an adhesive?  I've done some Googling, but I mostly found stuff about when the whole panel falls off the wall (typically) in a shower.  I just want to "glue" the broken piece back on.  Should I use grout?  Thinset?  I realize that this is not the ideal solution, but I'm not interested in trying to get the whole tile off (and potentially end up with a bigger project) since we're likely going to sell (and sell to someone who is going to remodel) in the not too distant future.

Thanks!

lthenderson

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Re: Fixing a broken ceramic tile soap dish
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2018, 11:20:20 AM »
Thick superglue is what I would use. Don't use the thin versions or it will drip down into your tub and create a mess. Another good adhesive for things like that is JB Weld. The only reason I would use the superglue over JB Weld is that the superglue will work better in a tight joint like that. The JB weld will create a gap that will be more noticeable.

Lucky Recardito

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Re: Fixing a broken ceramic tile soap dish
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2018, 11:23:19 AM »
https://www.thistothat.com/ (which is an incredibly delightful site) suggests that superglue is fine!

galliver

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Re: Fixing a broken ceramic tile soap dish
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2018, 11:31:13 AM »
I'm not sure I would trust superglue, I think I would go with a 5 min epoxy or similar...

FLBiker

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Re: Fixing a broken ceramic tile soap dish
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2018, 01:34:55 PM »
Thank you all for the advice!  I think we'll start with a thick superglue.  And that website is fantastic!

BTDretire

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Re: Fixing a broken ceramic tile soap dish
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2018, 05:33:12 PM »
I'm with you on superglue, I repaired a ceramic towel holder mounted on the wall about 20 years ago.
It's still going strong, however I don't hold onto it getting out of the tub. I did that once! :-)
 I would point out to the child as she is watching the repair, that it will never be as strong as
it was before it broke, so be very careful with it.
  My DD at a little older, was playing with an egg size piece of marble in the bathroom sink,
and broke a piece out of the sink. I put it back in and used a marine sealer called 5200 on the
underside to hold it in place. She's 27 now so that's also about 20 years ago.

FLBiker

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Re: Fixing a broken ceramic tile soap dish
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2018, 12:48:10 PM »
I'm happy to report that everything seems to have gone according to plan.  There's a bit of glue along the seam, but it seems sturdy enough.  DD has been told not to use it, and we've set up a soapdish on the sink for her.  So I think we're good.  Thanks!

EricEng

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Re: Fixing a broken ceramic tile soap dish
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2018, 11:04:55 AM »
I've used JB Weld for a repair on similar material that is still holding strong after 4 years.
https://www.amazon.com/J-B-Weld-8281-Professional-Reinforced/dp/B014OVHAOY/ref=sr_1_3