Matte backsplash tile damaged from runaway hole saw

last year

last modified: last year

Our new range hood was being vented by the HVAC guy and when he used a very large hole saw to cut into the cabinet over the cooktop the tool got away from him and it damaged four pieces of the backsplash tile. As luck would have it, when the hood was finally put in place it doesn’t completely cover the skimmed off parts of two tiles, the grout damaged between them or the permanent black scratch on a third tile. This aesthetically is not acceptable, but we also realize it is going to involve alot of unraveling everthing to be able to address the damaged tiles, and there is always the chance of causing additional damage to the cabinetry it adjoins to. I am attaching photos and welcome any tile professional or decorator's experience with suggestions on the best way to address this. Is there such a thing as tile touchup filler, paint or similar thing that might help hide this? We'd also wondered about some kind of stainless steel trim piece like Schluter but don't think that's wide enough to cover it all. Would very much appreciate any advice or ideas!

Featured Answer

PRO

HALLETT & Co.

last year

A good tile guy could easily replace the two tiles out in the field. Could the hvac co lower the hood 1/2” to cover the other damage? If not I think that one I would touch up good enough.

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Comments (7)

millworkman
last year
Cannot see where it is in the first picture you posted. Close ups if not going to make him replace, use nail polish and grout colorant accordingly. There is no "repair kit" made perse.
cjkruse thanked millworkman
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AnnKH
last year
Man, that stinks! Just when you thought you were done!

I don't have any suggestions for the tile, but I'm grateful that our cabinet installer cut holes in the top and bottom of the cabinet over the range.
cjkruse thanked AnnKH
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
I'd try some finger nail polish before I'd risk the tile replacement. It's not that bad.
cjkruse thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
I love using fingernail polish to fix tile (easy on mid century black tiles!) but matte grey seemed hard to match. At some point it should be the hvac company solving (but I realize it always falls back on the homeowner)
cjkruse thanked HALLETT & Co.
cjkruse
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thanks for the feedback and ideas. We didn’t think about fingernail polish but might give that a shot on the small black scratch mark. The builder handyman is coming this afternoon to look in person, but my husband and I think we might get a trim piece of flat stainless steel to just cover the damage. We’ve got enough room between the back of the hood and the wall that we can slide the trim piece into and then only lower down just enough until it covers the damage. The result would be that instead of a tile to hood meeting on the wall under there we’ll have a thin strip of stainless steel. Husband said he’ll just use double-side tape to affix it to the tile. I don’t think I’ll mind seeing a thin strip of trim versus the damage that would make me cringe every time I look at it. If we go this route I’ll post a picture. Thanks again for your replies!
rwiegand
last year
If it really bugs you, replace the offeding (offended?) tiles. I'd probably try the suggested ways of hiding it first.