For a cracked or damaged tile, Loctite’s guide says the best option is to take it out and reset it in mortar. We’d keep glues that list tile for small repairs and mosaics, and a tile adhesive for new tile on a wall.
Gluing
Tile
ceramic and porcelain tile
ceramic and porcelain tile
Where
What holds
Two-part epoxy or construction adhesive
10 products have both surfaces on their makers’ lists.
Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix 5 Minute (two-part epoxy). Gels in 5 to 7 minutes, full cure in 24 hours. Not for heat over 120°F or continuous water.
Gorilla Max Strength Construction Adhesive Clear (construction adhesive). Fully cures within 24 hours. Waterproof, and the surfaces can be wet.
Loctite Extreme Glue (hybrid polymer glue). Clamp 30 minutes, full cure in about 24 hours. Water resistant, not for underwater use.
J-B Weld SuperWeld (super glue). A super glue; J-B Weld gives a full cure in 24 hours.
J-B Weld KwikWeld (two-part epoxy). Sets in 6 minutes, cures in 4 to 6 hours. Up to 250°F; J-B Weld says it’s not as strong on aluminum.
Liquid Nails Fuze*It Max (construction adhesive). Press together within 10 minutes; cures in 12 to 24 hours. Goes on from 0 to 140°F.
4 more products list both.
We’d keep these glues for small tile repairs and accents. For a cracked or damaged tile, Loctite’s tile repair guide says the best option for a larger flaw is to take it out and reset it in mortar, and tile adhesives such as AcrylPro list the surfaces they’re made to go over.
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A loose or cracked tile
Loctite’s repair guide says small cracks and chips can be sealed, and that for a larger flaw the best option is taking the tile out and starting again:
Chisel out the grout around the tile, wearing safety goggles, gloves and long sleeves.
Chisel away the old backing so there’s room for fresh material.
Trowel mortar into the gap, and onto the back of the tile as well.
Set the tile level with its corners lined up, wipe off extra mortar before it dries, and let it set.
Interior only; not shower floors, steam rooms or underwater; tile up to 8 inches a side
Interior only; not button-back tile or floor tiles over 8 by 8 inches
Before grout
At least 24 to 72 hours for 8 by 8 inch tile
Walls 24 hours, floors 24 to 72 hours
DAP adds that installations should follow ANSI and the current TCNA Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation. More in thinset on plywood.
Mosaics and small fixes
Gorilla’s outdoor guide names its Max Strength Construction Adhesive Clear for mosaic tabletops and house-number plaques: it gives 30 minutes to line pieces up, and Gorilla says to tape heavier pieces while it cures. Other glues that list tile include Gorilla Construction Adhesive Ultimate, Loctite’s Instant Mix 5 Minute epoxy, Extreme Glue and Metal Glue, J-B Weld Original, KwikWeld, ClearWeld and SuperWeld, and Liquid Nails Fuze*It Max. Gorilla’s Kitchen & Bath construction adhesive lists tile and backsplashes.
Loctite's tile repair guide doesn't glue it: for a larger flaw it takes the tile out, mortars the gap and the back of the tile, sets it level and regrouts.
Can you use construction adhesive on tile?
Several list tile, including Gorilla Construction Adhesive Ultimate, Gorilla Max Strength Clear and Liquid Nails Fuze*It Max. For setting new wall tile, tile adhesives such as AcrylPro list what they go over.
How long before I can grout?
AcrylPro gives a minimum of 24 to 72 hours for 8 by 8 inch tile. DAP gives 24 hours on walls and countertops and 24 to 72 hours on floors for its Multi-Purpose tile adhesive.
The repair steps come from Loctite’s tile repair guide, the plywood and wall limits from Custom Building Products’ and DAP’s data sheets, and the glues from each maker’s own page or data sheet. Checked against published data from J-B Weld, Gorilla Glue Company, Henkel, Pittsburgh Paints Company and Custom Building Products (plus 1 more).
See all 16 sources
Gorilla Glue Company, Gorilla Max Strength Construction Adhesive Clear: product page, FAQ and SDS
Gorilla Glue Company, Gorilla Construction Adhesive Ultimate: product page
Gorilla Glue Company, outdoor DIY projects and the best adhesives (pro tips article)
Henkel, Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix 5 Minute: product page, technical data sheet (2025) and SDS
Henkel, Loctite Extreme Glue: product page, technical data sheet (2022) and SDS
Henkel, Loctite Metal Glue: product page, technical data sheet (2025) and SDS (2025)
J-B Weld, frequently asked questions (what each product bonds, and what most won’t)
J-B Weld, J-B Weld Original twin tube: product page and SDS
J-B Weld, KwikWeld twin tube: product page and SDS
J-B Weld, ClearWeld syringe: product page and SDS
J-B Weld, SuperWeld: product page and SDS
Pittsburgh Paints Company, Liquid Nails Fuze*It Max (LN-3000): product page, technical data sheet (2026) and SDS (2026)
Gorilla Glue Company, Gorilla Kitchen & Bath Construction Adhesive: product page and FAQ
Henkel, Loctite, “Ceramic tile repair: A quick guide to saving tile and money” (article, 2024)
Custom Building Products, AcrylPro Professional Tile Adhesive: technical data sheet TDS-127 (2024)
DAP, Weldwood Multi-Purpose Ceramic Tile Adhesive: product page, technical data sheet and SDS (2022)
General guidance from manufacturer and standards data. Products vary, so check the label and the maker's instructions.