10 Signs To Replace Your Tile Countertops
Tiles have their appeal. The look beautiful and glossy and are easier to install. But they also wear out over time and you will need to replace them with granite countertops or any other material. But how do you know when the tiles’ time is up? Here are the signs.
When To Replace Tile Countertops?
Tiles Are Broken
This is kind of obvious, but if your tiles are looking chipped or cracked and they’re hanging on to their integrity by their last threads, then it is better that you get these bad boys replaced. It is not worth putting chipped and cracked tiles as countertops in your kitchen. It will only make the kitchen look outdated and unkempt.
No one wants to look at broken tiles and even if you replace them, the damage is just already there and there is nothing you can do. Tile is a very fragile material, and it can break and crack easily.
If you want to still keep tiles in the kitchen, then it is best that you replace them from time to time. It is going to keep the kitchen looking well-kept and you won’t have to worry about the chips and cracks ruining the look of your kitchen anymore. So, when you see cracks, then you know that the tile countertops need to be replaced.
Cleaning Becomes Harder
Cleaning tile countertops is really easy. When they’re new, all you have to do is keep the surfaces clean and you’re good to go. But, if it’s that simple, and there comes a time when cleaning tile countertops becomes a nightmare, then what do you call that?
Well, that means that it is not a cleaning issue, rather it is just how the tiles look now. Stained and not brand new. This is why you want to replace the tiles as soon as possible, because cleaning them won’t make a difference, other than make you break a sweat.
Maintaining Gets Expensive
Maintaining kitchen countertops is what keeps them looking amazing in the long run, but there does come a time when even maintenance can’t save old countertops. This is exactly what happens with tile countertops too. If you see that maintaining the surfaces doesn’t make a difference anymore and they still look very old and worn, then you need to consider replacing the tiles.
No amount of polish, varnish, or even repair can save the tiles from looking this way. So, it is best that you let go of these old countertops and get new ones.
Tiles Look Worn Out
There is a certain look that old and worn tiles give. It’s definitely not new. It is much like they have been through the worst in the last couple of years. There are weird splotches on the tile surfaces and they just don’t go away anymore.
Well, this is a clear sign that your tile countertops are now officially worn out and you need to consider changing them altogether. This is not something ideal, but anything is better than looking at and working on worn tiles. It is just not a vibe and things can’t get worse than this condition.
There Are Permanent Stains
Speaking of tiled surfaces, if your countertops have stains on them, well, you can try to remove them but it won’t work. These stains aren’t just regular splotches on the surface. They’re permanent stains which can be the result of not cleaning the tiles efficiently, or it can just be due to the time amount of time it has been since the tiles were installed.
So, you need to think about replacing the tiles now, because these stains are going nowhere and you won’t be able to get rid of them, even if you use the best of the best cleaners or stain removers out there.
They’ve Become Loose
When you’re working on your countertops and you feel like a tile is moving around or see-sawing on the surface, well, that is not a good sign. Tiles shouldn’t just unravel like that and become loose, because if the surface is not steady, then how are you supposed to work?
Well, this is when you seriously want to consider replacing the tiles, because they’ve become loose and there is little to nothing you can do. So, this is your sign to change the tiles and maybe get something else for a change – something steady and durable like quartzite, granite, or quartz kitchen countertops Rockville.
Check The Grout
The spaces between the tiles are known as grout and they’re usually light, almost white when the tile countertops are newly installed. However, over time, the grout can become dark and it can also fade away after some time. This is basically what is holding the tiles together, so this is something that can turn alarming fast.
If you see that there is little to no grout filling in the spaces between the tiles, then you need to get a professional involved because it is just a matter of time before things start to go south and you don’t want that.
The Countertop Surface Looks Uneven
This is also something that can occur after the grout has deteriorated from the middle of the tiles, but your countertops will look uneven. When you step back and take a look at your countertops, you will see that the tiles will be leaning off to one side and things will look very bumpy and uneven.
So, this is something that you don’t want to see where it goes because the final destination isn’t going to be good. This is why you need to consider changing your tiles. It will only be better for you and you will save your countertops from completely falling apart.
Water Has Damaged Countertop
Water is something that can put tile countertops through the wringer. You might think that water is mostly harmless, but it is anything but. Water leads the tile to weaken and it also leads to permanent clear or white stains which just don’t go away no matter what you use or how much you clean it.
If water seeps into the foundation, then it can also lead to mold, which is just another problem waiting for you to deal with. So, before things get to this point, replace the countertops immediately.
They Are Old
Your countertops just have that very outdated look to them. You know when you see certain countertops, they just look new and modern. And then, there are some which don’t look new at all. That is exactly what your tile countertops should look like if they’ve been around for more than a decade.
They will just look out of place and very old and instead of trying to bring them back to life, spend your money and time on a new material that will wow everyone for a long time.
Conclusion
Tile countertops are amazing and all, but they may crack or wear out. If you notice these signs and want to choose a something better, then take a look quartz or granite slabs by contacting a granite installer Potomac. Slabs are thicker, more durable, and easier to clean than tiles.