How to Tile a Counter top Around a Kitchen or Bathroom Sink

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By jbuhr06
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Tiled bathroom countertop

When remodeling or finishing a bathroom or kitchen, using tile can make a durable, attractive and easy to clean surface. Tiling a countertop around a sink is very similar to tiling a floor except that the layout is much more important and noticable.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Mason trowel
Float
Measuring tape
framing square
tile cutter
tile snips
tiles (square and edgers)
grout

Step 1

Concrete Backer Board

The first step in tiling the counter top is to remove the sink and prepare the area. You can tile over bare wood, laminate and other types of counter tops by sanding with a coarse sandpaper. This will provide a better surface for the mortar to grip to. If it is new construction and there is no surface yet, try using a concrete backer board.
Step 2

Inside edge tile

The next step is to install the edge tile. Start with the most visible corner of the counter top. Do a dry run where you lay out each tile with a small spacer for grout. Measure and mark each partial piece of edging tile and the cut using a wet saw or tile cutter. When you have all of the tile ready, mix a small batch of mortar and apply it to the edge of the counter top with a putty knife. Using a masons trowel, create horizontal ridges through the mortar for a better bond with the tile. Place each tile firmly and try not to bump them for at least a couple of hours. Scrape off and clean up any extra mortar on the counter top or on the edge tiles using a wet sponge and putty knife.
Step 3

Tile cutter

While the edge tile are drying, start the layout for the top of the counter top. Start with the sink area first. It will be the focus of attention and symmetry will show off your sink and bathroom better if the tile around it are even. Lay a row of tile around the sink and see if any cuts will have to be made. If so, measure so that any partial tile at the sides of the sink will be cut to the same size. If a row of tile will need to be cut to complete the area from the wall to the front of the counter top, measure so that the cut will be nearest the wall. Measure each tile to be cut and mark with a felt pen or pencil. Use a wet saw or tile cutter for the straight cut and tile snips for any arced cuts. Place the tile back around the sink exactly how they will eventually sit. Then lay tile out to the edges of the counter top from the sink to complete the layout. Make cuts as necessary using the same steps as above.
Step 4

Quick dry mortar

Now that all the tile have been cut, mix a batch of mortar proportional to the size of your counter top. Remove your layout tiles a few rows at a time and apply mortar to the area beneath them with a putty knife. Use the notched edge of the mason's trowel to make even parallel lines through the mortar. Place your tile firmly onto the counter top in the exactly the way you had them laid out during the dry run. Continue until all tile are in place. Wipe off all excess mortar with a damp sponge. Let the mortar dry for up to a day depending upon the instructions on the container of mortar. To help force out air bubbles and get a more durable finish, place a towel over the counter top and gently lay boards or other heavy flat objects on top to force down the tile evenly.
Step 5

Once all of the mortar is dry, you can fill all of the valleys between the tile with grout. Use a color and consistency that match with your tile. You can consult someone at your nearest hardware store for particular advice relevant to your project. Using a small putty knife or grout bag, apply grout evenly to all valley between the tile a few rows at a time. Use a Float to remove excess grout and push the grout into the deeper recesses of the valleys. Regrout afterwards if there is still a valley. When all the grout is in place, wipe off any excess or residue from the tile with a damp sponge and allow to dry for at least as long as it states on the package of grout.
Step 6

Once the grout has dried you will want to seal it using a liquid or spray on sealant. Follow the directions on the container and be sure to cover every inch of grout. Wipe off any excess and repeat several times if necessary or to guarantee a long lasting finish. When the sealant has dried you can place a think bead of Kitchen and Bath Caulk to the area around the sink cut out and put your sink into place. Press down on the sink firmly as you reattach it underneath and wipe off any excess caulk. Then enjoy the new look of your kitchen or bathroom!!