Installing a backsplash in your kitchen or bathroom can make a dramatic difference in the look of either. You can make a fancy pattern with the tile, or stick with the basics depending on how confident you feel in your tiling ability. Although it may look complicated, it's really easy to do tiling yourself. Even I can do it!
Work out the pattern you want to use and make any cuts you may need to fit around or under cabinets. You can rent a wet tile saw to make the cuts easier. If you want some ideas for patterns, visit my Vintage Tile Gallery.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Depending on the area to be tiled
Here's How:
- Sand the wall with a coarse sandpaper wrapped around a sanding block to enable a better bond. Then wipe down all surfaces with denatured alcohol to remove any oily debris that may have been left behind from normal kitchen use.
- Using the flat edge of a trowel, spply mastic tile adhesive to the wall.
- Create ridges in the adhesive by making little squiggles (squiggles - that's technical term!) with the edge of the trowel.
- If the area you are tiling doesn't have a countertop or a piece of trim along its lower edge, put a temporary strip of wood along the bottom of the area to be tiled to support the weight of the tiles.
- Press the tiles into place. Use a level to make sure the tiles and grout lines are straight. Use those little plastic thingies (thingies - that's also a technical term!) to make certain the spaces between the tiles are even.
- Tap each tile with a rubber mallet to set them in the mastic. Careful not to tap too hard or you will doing mosaics instead of backsplashes!
- Allow the mastic to set (see the manufacturer's instructions for times).
- When the mastic is set, it's time to grout. Mix the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions or buy ready-mixed grout.
- Spread grout over the tiles with a tool called a rubber grout float (it doesn't float, so why do they call it a…oh, never mind!). Work on about 5-10 square feet at a time.
- After the grout partially sets, wipe the excess off with a damp sponge. Be careful that you don't pull the grout from between the joints.
- After you have sponged the grout once, use the sponge to level the joints between the tiles.
- When the grout has completely dried, remove the haze you see on the tile by rubbing it with soft, clean cloth.
- In two to four weeks, you can apply sealer to the grout.
Tips:
- Always use a glazed tile near the cooktop of your kitchen for ease of cleaning.
- Ask your local home improvement store which mastic works best with the tile you chose.
What You Need:
- Sandpaper
- Denatured Alcohol
- Trowel
- Mastic
- Dry Grout Mix or Pre-mixed Grout
- Rubber Mallet
- Level
- Plastic Tile Spacers
- Rubber Grout Float
- Sponge and Soft, Clean Cloth
