How to Tile a Backsplash Like a Pro

This mean solar day - farsighted DIY will tot up surplus pizzazz to your kitchen .

Installing a backsplash is more than just a way to amp up your kitchen ’s way . If you ’ve ever lift your sociable out of a arena of batter just a tad early , you know that aneasy - to - clean backsplashmakes practical sentiency . Even well , it ’s a quick home melioration project — the beauty and utility of a raw roofing tile backsplash can be yours in a individual weekend . We ’ll show you how to cut , install , and grout ceramic tiles for a fresh kitchen refinement .

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

Materials

Instructions

Clean the Walls

Start byturning off the power to the kitchenand removing any switch plate or outlet covers . Tile can be utilize to drywall , butremove any wallpaperor loose paint . sandpaper the paries of any imperfection , and for good adhesion , pass over away the dust . expend trisodium orthophosphate ( TSP ) to remove any tough grease stains or residue . Finish by wipe the walls cleanwith a damp rag and let them ironic soundly before starting to tile .

Plan Tile Layout

With the wall uninfected , tape your ceramic tile sheet in position to check your layout . foreshorten the sheets as needed , using a utility knife to shorten the mesh from behind . Work out how you ’ll handle any break between the tile and the bottom of the wall locker . Aim for a col as close as possible to a half - roofing tile . you could start your tiles without a grout wrinkle along the countertop , or give a grout line to assist conclude the break above . Tape sheets in place all the path to the nook , again essay to achieve a gap no larger than a half - roofing tile . distinguish the location of the sheets with a pencil as you remove them .

Optional: Install Schluter Strip to Create Tile Edge

If you contrive to terminate the backsplash with a Schluter slip , metre , trim down , and instal the flight strip before tiling and incorporate it into your layout . Simply add the strip with thin - set trench mortar where you ’d like your backsplash to end . you’re able to also prefer toend your backsplash with bullnose tiles , which supply a rounded - edge treatment . Bullnose tile are put in once you ’ve reached theendof your backsplash , not at the beginning .

Apply Thin-Set

Tape a drop cloth to your countertop to protect the open . Ladle thin - set mortar onto the wall , and cautiously work it with a notch trowel to make liquid , even ridges . Check the manufacturer ’s specifications for the recommend trowel notch size of it ( 1/8 - inch is coarse ) .

Install the Tile Backsplash

deploy the whole tile sheet first , lining them up with your reference marks ( you ’ll just be capable to see them through the thin - exercise set mortar ) . Using tile spacers , keep the join between the sheets consistent . Once the sheet ’s applied , rip it back to check over for voids . Apply more fragile - Seth mortar as demand .

Install Tile Around Switches and Receptacles

You ’ll likely ply into at least one exit or switch while instal a backsplash . To tile around receptacle , check that the power is switched off at the ledgeman panel , then unfasten the two screws holding the switch or receptacle , and gently pull it aside from the wall . When tile and grouting are complete , add a loge extender . Because of the extra heaviness of the tile , you might need longer screws .

Continue Adding Tile Spacers

Use spacers throughout your installation , so your roofing tile is aligned along the length and width of the wall . Without spacers , your tile will in all likelihood be crooked . Also , keep in mind that your walls might not be completely square . To account for this , you might have to switch off some tile to suit , or even off with a heavy grout line beneath the upper cabinets .

Install the Last Row of Tile

Once you ’ve strain the Schluter strip , usea wet sawor roofing tile cutter to write out the tile to fit the destruction row . smoothen any uneven edge with a rub stone .

Set the Tiles

When all the tile are in place , firmly press them onto the wall with your fingers or a clean grout float . check off that all the tiles are set equally . pass over off any excess thin - set mortar .

Apply the Tile Grout

Allow the thin - set mortar to gear up ( usually 12 hr ) , then mix the grout . cultivate the grout into all the joints by moving the grout float across the tile vertically , horizontally , and diagonally . Fill all nihility between the tiles with grout . There should be no holes , gap , or air bubbles .

Wipe Clean with a Sponge

After you ’ve finished grouting your roofing tile backsplash , pass over repeatedly with a damp ( not wet ) parazoan to clean the superfluous grout off the roofing tile .

Wipe with Dry Towel

Once the grout has dried , follow the manufacturer ’s teaching , and apply a clean , dry cloth to bump off any fog remaining on the roofing tile .

Seal Tile Grout

For easy maintenance down the road , enforce grout sealant . It will decoct the likeliness of staining . caulking where the backsplash encounter the upper cabinet to discharge your tile installation .

kitchen blue cabinets and white subway tile