I (Vicki) rarely use the front steps at my house so I was unaware of a problem. When I finally did happen to use them, there was an unmistakable hollow sound when I stepped onto the first tile indicating a situation!

I then checked the tile I had just stepped on and it came up with no effort as did the next two tiles.

We thought this would be a quick fix since there were only three loose tiles, but as we investigated, we found that almost ALL the tiles on the first two steps were loose.

This fix had now turned into a major undertaking!

Supplies

Products:

VersaBond-LFT 50 lb. Gray Fast-Setting Medium Bed Mortar for Large Format Tile and Stone (Home Depot)
1/2 in. x 1/2 in. x 1/2 in. Traditional Carbon Steel Square-Notch Flooring Trowel (Home Depot)
Traditional Flexible Spacers for Floor and Wall Tile Installation (Home Depot)
Trowel (Home Depot)
Composite Shim (12-Bundle) (Home Depot)
Polyblend Plus #122 Linen 25 lb. Sanded Grout (Home Depot)
Molded Rubber Grout Float (Home Depot)
5 Gallon THD Bucket (Home Depot)
Cleaning and Washing Sponge (Home Depot)
Cleaning and Washing Sponge (6-Pack) (Home Depot)
Microfiber clothes (Amazon)
Mold Armor Rapid Clean Remediation (Home Depot)
Grout and Tile Sealer (Home Depot)

Tools:

RIDGID 5.5 in. Multi-Flooring Diamond Blade (Home Depot)
RYOBI Cordless 5 1/2 in. Circular Saw (Home Depot)
Makita 55 in. Plunge Saw Guide Rail (Home Depot)
Bosch Corded Variable Speed SDS-Plus Concrete/Masonry Rotary Hammer Drill (Home Depot)
Bosch SDS-Plus Hammer Steel Self-Sharpening Tile Chisel (Home Depot)
RYOBI Cordless 6 Gal. Wet Dry Vacuum Kit (Home Depot)
Thinset and Grout Mixing Paddle for Corded Drills (Home Depot)
Husky Soft Foam Kneeling Pad (Home Depot)
GORILLA CARTS Heavy Duty Steel Utility Cart (Home Depot)
Xena Steel-toe Boots (Xena Workwear)

Step 1: Remove All the Tiles and Old Mortar

This was certainly the most labor-intensive part of the project. We first removed all of the loose tiles and set them aside for reuse. In the picture, we removed all the tiles on the first step and most of the second.

We initially left those tiles on the second step but decided removing them would be easier than working around them.

After we removed the mortar from the first step, we realized the next set of tiles and the ones on the second step were loose.

We used a Bosch rotary hammer drill fitted with a chisel blade to remove the old mortar as well as the tiles that were still stuck but needed to be removed.

We found the easiest way to use the Bosch was to hold it upside down while sitting on a short stool. It was less fatiguing that way. We also used a wet/dry vac to help contain the dust. We are both wearing protective gear including a respirator mask to protect against the dust.

Step 2: Tile Cleanup

We wanted to reuse as many of the tiles as possible. We first chipped off the old grout and cleaned up the backs before cleaning the fronts. I used a Mold Armor mold product that helped clean off all the old mold. Once dry we were ready to retile the front steps.

Step 3: New Mortar and Laying the Tiles

We mixed up the mortar following the instructions on the bag. We added too much water initially so we had to add more powder. Start with a little water and slowly add to it to better control the consistency. The mixer attachment to the drill was extremely helpful. Again, use appropriate protective equipment so you're not breathing in the mortar dust.

The mortar is spread in a skim coat with a notched trowel. This size trowel was suggested for the large tile we are installing.

We did not cut any tiles at this point but just laid back the ones we could reuse. We used spacers between the tiles to get the spacing but removed them to get the final placement needed for the tiles.

Step 4: Cutting the Tiles

We didn't want to purchase a tile saw so we researched ways to cut porcelain tiles using what we already own. We used a Ryobi battery-powered 5 1/2-inch saw with a Ridgid flooring blade. We used a Makita track saw rail to use a guide to get straight cuts.

This arrangement worked very well. I followed along with the wet/dry vac to help with dust collection. Again, wear protective gear.

Even the very thin pieces of tiles were successfully cut with this method.

Step 5: New Grout and Sealing

We took a piece of the old grout to the store to pick out the new grout. There was a handy chart that helped us to pick the perfect color.

We mixed up the grout according to the package directions. Steph used a rubber grout float to apply the grout. I followed up by cleaning the grout from the tiles with damp sponges and damp microfiber cloths.

Once the grout had cured for three days, we went back and sealed the grout with a commercial grout sealer which should help with stains.

Step 6: Admire the Results!

We consider this fix a success as the outdoor steps look virtually the same as before!

This was our first tiling project and one we were not sure we could or should undertake. It was with the encouragement from a very knowledgeable associate at the Home Depot who gave us excellent advice on the tools and materials we needed that we decided to move forward.

For more projects from us, please join our newsletter!