U.S. General Services Administration
Technical Procedures Disclaimer
Prior to inclusion in GSA’s library of procedures, documents are reviewed by one or more qualified preservation specialists for general consistency with the Secretary of Interior Standards for rehabilitating historic buildings as understood at the time the procedure is added to the library. All specifications require project-specific editing and professional judgement regarding the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers are to serve as a general guideline and do not constitute a federal endorsement or determination that a product or method is the best or most current alternative, remains available, or is compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards. The library of procedures is intended to serve as a resource, not a substitute, for specification development by a qualified preservation professional.
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We’ve reviewed these procedures for general consistency with federal standards for rehabilitating historic buildings and provide them only as a reference. Specifications should only be applied under the guidance of a qualified preservation professional who can assess the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers serve as general guidelines and do not constitute a federal endorsement nor a determination that a product or method is the best alternative or compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards.
PART 1–GENERAL
1.01 SUMMARY
A. This procedure includes guidance on using epoxy to repair broken tiles that are cracked or split cleanly through the tile. SURFACE CRAZING OR SMALL SURFACE FLAWS IN THE GLAZE DO NOT NEED REPAIRING.
B. Repair is preferable to replacement if the break is clean because the removal of even one tile runs the risk of causing damage to adjacent tiles.
PART 2–PRODUCTS
2.01 MATERIALS
A. Patching Resin: Manufacturers’ standard 2-component epoxy resin, designed specifically for patching of ceramic tile materials.
- Tint to match color of existing tile following manufacturers’ recommendations.
B. Enamel to match color of tile.
C. Clean, potable water.
2.02 EQUIPMENT
A. Stiff bristle brush
B. Caulking gun
C. Re-pointing tools (such as a hacksaw blade, chisel, and steel trowel
PART 3–EXECUTION
3.01 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION
A. Clean out the crack of any loose dust and debris using a stiff bristle brush or by blowing air into the crack.
B. Blend the resin materials to match the color matrix, adding pigment as required.
C. Following manufacturer’s instructions, force mixed resin into the void using re-pointing tools or a caulking gun, making sure it is pressured into the crack as deep as possible. Fill until flush with the surface. Sometimes, the supplier will instruct using a primer for their materials.
D. Touch-up repaired surface with enamel to match color of tile.
E. Do not extend patch material into the grout or mortar joint. Crack repairs should be limited to individual tiles.