With a tile backsplash add life to your kitchen. To do your backsplash project, there are many options like peel and stick tile or mosaics on a mesh backing for an easy installation. Here you can see, how to tile kitchen backsplash over drywall with tile adhesive easily.
Installing a new tile backsplash is more than just a way to design the style of your kitchen. You know, a backsplash that is easy to clean makes practical sense also. On the other hand, it is easy to do, the utility & the beauty of a new backsplash can be designed in a weekend.
Tips To Tile Kitchen Backsplash
Here you’ll see how to cut backsplash tile, how to install backsplash tile sheets and everything related to a kitchen tile backsplash. Without wasting your time let’s see the process in detail. Here you go.
Important Tools
- Hammer
- Tile Saws
- Tile Spacers
- Tile Nippers or Tile saw
- Sponge
- Tape Measure
- Notched Trowel
- Rubber Grout Float
- Latex Gloves
- Goggles
- Level
Necessary Materials
- Tiles
- Tile Adhesive
- Nails
- Wood Board
- Flexible Caulk
- Grout
- Optional: Adhesive Tile Mat
Preparation to Tile the Walls
In your kitchen, a tile backsplash may be applied fresh, level drywall as a sink is not considered wet places as showers that need a backer board. Before you start your project, remember that in a successful tile project, it is critical to use the right trowel and mortar. Indoor or outdoor, floor or wall, tile size, and type all are a factor.
- Turn off the power to your kitchen and the area to be tiled, remove the outlet and switch plates. Tape off those areas where your countertops meet the walls and the outlets and cabinets also. Freestanding appliances move away from the walls.
- To use a level, append a ledger board – a strong piece of lumber affixed for support. Here we are screwing a straight 1×4 board in the wall studs, it is the place where you want the backsplashes bottom edge will be. Until the adhesive cures, a ledger board supports the tiles temporarily, and help them to keep in the level where no countertop is there.
- According to the manufacturer’s, clean the walls with a mixture of water and trisodium phosphate. Sand glossy surfaces.
- You must check the condition and flatness of the wall. With the joint compound, fill dips, dents, and ripples more than 1/16 inch deep. Let them dry, sand smooth and prime.
Plan the Layout of Your Tile
Around the perimeter, your tile backsplashes need a 1/8-inch wide gap where the tile meets the countertops and cabinets.
- Find and mark a vertical line to the center of your wall that suits you tile selection beautifully. There are some tile patterns that work best when it is centered on a focal point, such as the stove or faucet.
- On the countertop, dry lay tiles horizontally along the wall using spacers to check the ends. At that moment, if you see cut tiles will be so compressed, you can adjust the layout by cutting wider pieces at both sides.
- Check the vertical layout. In hidden under cabinets, cut tiles work best but if your countertop is not level, you may have to cut your tiles from the bottom part.
First of all, find out the lowest point of the countertop by using a level. At this point, hold a light, accounting for a 1/8-inch wide gap. At the top of the tile, mark the wall and after that to extend the line using a level at the work area. This line gives as your cutting instruction to fit tile along the counter.
Make a jury stick to see where the tile will end at the top of the installation. Using the tile make a straight board and spacers for the vertical layout. To check it out, hold it up to the wall. At the top, if you have tiny silvers then you should adjust the layout down and redraw your reference line.
Attach the Tile
To make a safe start, you should follow the instructions of the manufacturer’s on mixing and drying times.
- According to direction, mix your chosen tile adhesive or thin-set and with a drywall trowel, spread on a small section of the wall. As thin sets and other tile adhesives dry quickly, it is important to work by separating in small sections. With a notched trowel comb over it.
Extra tip: Stick and peel the tile adhesive mats are also common, nowadays. It is also bond instantly to the surfaces of the wall when it is pressed strongly with a grout float and give you permission to tile and lees the same day, replacing traditional thin-set and making tile installation easier. You can use the mats on clean, flat indoor surfaces such as countertops, tub or shower walls and backsplashes.
You should avoid using them for ceilings, fireplaces, floors, steam rooms, shower floors and surfaces that will be sunken in the water. Mat does not replace the waterproofing products for tile.
You can use adhesive or white thin-set for glass tile as you can see through and you should not cover your layout reference lines with thin-set or adhesive.
- With a little twist, press the piece of tile into the wall by leaving a 1/8-inch wide gap at the countertop. To set the tile in the adhesive, press against it with a rubber float.
- When you are working in a small section, with additional pieces repeat the procedure using spacers to make sure even spacing. Mark the tile whenever you need to make a cut. When you need large tile cuts, place the tile in a tile cutter mesh side up and score the face. Break every piece along the line and when you need smaller tile cuts, you may use nippers.
- Let your adhesive or thin-set dry for 24 hours and then mix grout as directed. While using a rubber float to press it into the joints, apply grout diagonally across tiles. Wait for 10 minutes then you can wipe away excess with a sponge. Often, you can rinse your sponge.
When cleaning away excess don’t wipe the grout from the joints. To protect the grout lines always use a diagonal motion and apply light pressure. Always remember, while the tile installations white-colored grout typically looks best as well.
- According to the manufacturer’s, allow the grout to dry and then apply grout sealer as they directed. Fill the gaps with silicone sealant or caulk. And then add box extenders to outlets and switches to get them in level with the new backsplash and replace outlet covers.
Now, you know everything about how to tile kitchen backsplash and step by step work process. Next time, whenever you are doing backsplash for your kitchen ensure that you’ve done all the necessary steps and after doing all these things you can hope to have a nice backsplash for your kitchen.
Cheers!
Related Buyer’s Guide
- Samsung MS11K3000AS Review
- Cuisinart CMW 200 Review
- Breville BOV845BSS Review
- Samsung MG11H2020CT Review
- Hamilton Beach 31126 Review
- Breville BOV800XL Review
- Best Bread Machines
Last update on 2022-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API