How to Add a Tile Backsplash
Tile backsplashes protect your walls, assist in cleaning and add charm and personality to your home. You can tile your walls using any size, color or shape of tile. The customization possibilities are endless. You can opt to use larger tiles or choose small tiles for a mosaic look. Installing individual tiles can be time-consuming, so if you want a mosaic look, consider purchasing sheets of small tiles. For most home projects, adding a tile backsplash is a one- or two-day project. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Tile adhesive
- Trowel
- Level
- Tile cutter
- Tile clippers
- Rounded stick
- Tile grout
- Rubber float
- Electrical box extenders
Instructions
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1
Examine your walls to make certain they are dry and firm enough to support the weight of the backsplash tiles. If your walls are damp, which is a common problem near sinks, you can speed up drying by using a dehumidifier. Repair any damaged drywall before tiling begins.
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2
Determine how far up the wall you want the backsplash to extend. Typically, a tile backsplash will rise a minimum of four inches above the countertop. However, you may want to tile completely up the base of your cabinets. Measure the area to be tiled and calculate the square footage by multiplying the length of the wall by the height your tiles will extend. The number of tiles you will need depends on the size of the tiles and the square footage of the area being tiled.
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3
Disconnect the electricity to the area where you will be working, and remove any outlet covers from the wall.
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4
Clean the area to be tiled using a barely damp sponge and warm water. Allow the wall to dry thoroughly before proceeding.
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Use only the adhesive specifically recommended by the tile manufacture and spread a thin layer onto the wall using a trowel. Work in small sections to prevent the adhesive from drying out, and hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle to ensure a thin, even coat. Start at the center of your counter.
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Lay the first tile or sheet of tiles and position them using a gentle, twisting motion. Use a level to check for squareness, and then place a tile spacer on all corners of the tile. You will need to cut one end of each spacer off to fit them between the tile bottom and the countertop.
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Continue working your way around the wall, applying the adhesive in small sections and laying the tiles one at a time. Make sure each tile is square and secure before moving on to the next one. Promptly wipe away any adhesive that pushed through between the tiles.
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8
Cut any end tiles by scoring with a tile cutter. You can cut away the excess tile with a saw or tile clippers.
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Wipe away any adhesive on the tiles with a damp cloth when you are finished laying your backsplash. You can use a rounded stick or toothpick to clean between the tiles, if necessary.
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10
Allow the adhesive to set for the time indicated on the packaging. Once the adhesive is set, you can gently remove the spacers. Be careful not to shift the tiles.
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Mix the grout and apply with a rubber float. You should spread the grout across the tiles in a diagonal motion at a 45-degree angle. Pack the grout between the tiles, and wipe away any excess with a sponge when the grout starts to harden.
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Use a rounded stick to shape the grout joints, and then wipe down the backsplash tiles and joints using a damp sponge and warm water. When the grout is completely dry, clean the tiles again and shine with a cloth.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you purchase more tiles than you expect to need in case you damage some during installation. You can seal your grout to prevent discoloration about a week after you install your backsplash.
You may need to install electrical box extenders to reattach your outlet covers. These can be purchase in most home improvement stores.
