Installing A Tile Backsplash

Are you planning to have a kitchen tile backsplash installed for your remodeling project? Installing a tile backsplash is easy to do with the right materials and a little extra effort; and it can also change the entire look of your kitchen. The materials needed are:

Tiles Tile Spacers Grout Tape Measure Pencil Pumice stone or sandpaper Wall Tile Mastic Dry tile cutter Wide putty knife Notched trowel Tile float or squeegee Sponge

Before You Begin

Before you start to tile the wall for the backsplash, make sure that it is dry and firm enough to hold weight of the tiles. If there is moisture, wait for it to dry before tiling; if your drywall is damaged, repair the drywall. If the walls are still moist while you tile the wall, the moisture will be locked in and the result would be that the wall will rot. Once the wall is dry and if any necessary repairs on the drywall have been done, then it is time to prepare the wall for tiling. The first step is to decide how far up the wall of the backsplash is going to extend. The height of the backsplash can be anywhere from 4 inches up from the countertop to the bottom of the wall cabinets.

The next step is to estimate the number of tile needed by measuring the width and length of the backsplash area. For example, if the area you want to tile is 12 inches by 48 inches, the area is 576 square inches. Let's say the tiles are 4x4 inches, or 18 square inches. For this example, you would need 36 tiles (area to be tiled divided by the area of each tile, in this case 576/16=36). It is also advisable to have some spare tiles available just in case one gets broken, you make a mistake cutting the tile during your project or you have to replace one in the future. Make sure you turn off the power to electrical outlets in the area where you are working and remove any electrical outlet covers.

Installing Your Tile

Now you are ready to build your own kitchen tile backsplash. In just a few short steps, you will have a very elegant looking and finished look to your kitchen.

1. The first thing to do is to mark the center of the wall. The distance between the bottom of the cabinets and the top of the counter should be measured. After you have measured the area subtract 1/4 inch for the bottom grout line. A tile should be marked with the measurement.

2. If the tiles are not already to size, now is the time to cut them to size using a dry tile cutter. To cut the tile using the cutter, simply set the tile into the machine and adjust it to the measurement you want. It not only scores the tile, it actually snaps the tile at the score line when you press the bar down. After the tile is cut, make sure you measure the tile size against the wall and sand the tile down using a pumice stone or sandpaper.

3. Start at the center and apply enough wall tile mastic to attach one tile to the wall by using a putty knife. Texture the mastic using a notched trowel to create a surface for proper adhesion. After applying the mastic and smoothing it, put the tile into place and move it around slightly before allowing it to come to its final position. Using the tile spacers between the tiles and along the bottom for the grout lines, continue to work in each direction until your area is finished.

4. Allow the wall mastic to cure overnight; after the mastic has been cured, remove the tile spacers and mix the grout as directed. Using a tile float or squeegee, fill the gaps in around the tiles with the grout and allow to dry overnight. After the grout has been dried overnight, remove any excess with a sponge and water as directed and enjoy your new backsplash.