How to Tile the Kitchen Wall
Tiling a wall can be a do-it-yourself project. In the kitchen where grease and moisture are present, wall tile helps prevent stains and damage from water. Ceramic or porcelain tiles may be used and come in a variety of colors. Also, putting tile on the walls in your kitchen adds value to your home since it is a natural material and popular with homebuyers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Caulk
- Backer board
- Skill saw
- Screws
- Screwdriver
- Measuring tape
- Mortar or glue
- Trowel
- Bucket
- Wet saw
- Grout float
- Large sponge
Instructions
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1
Clean the surface of the kitchen walls with warm, soapy water to remove grease and dust. Take down the pictures or wall hangings along with the screws, nails or staples that holds them in place.
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2
Fill in the holes with caulk. The kitchen wall must be level and the studs in good condition. Repair any damage before installing tile.
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3
Cut sheets of backer board with a skill saw to cover the kitchen wall. Place a panel of backer board on the wall and screw it in the studs with a screwdriver, using screws with flat heads that flush with the backer board. Add a screw about every 6 or 8 inches to secure the board on the wall until it is covered.
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4
Prepare tile glue or mortar according to the instructions on the label, using a bucket and making the mortar thick enough to hold tile on the kitchen wall. Apply the mixture to the back side of the tile with a trowel so it does not drip onto the kitchen floor.
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Place the tile on the backer board, starting at the farthest coroner from the kitchen door. Start at the top of the kitchen wall and work toward the floor. Hold each tile in place about 10 seconds so it has time to set. Continue until the wall is covered except for the edge where cuts are required. Keep the tiles square by following the guide on the backer board and by placing a spacer between each tile.
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6
Put the edge of the measuring tape on the corner or wall edge where the cut is needed. Pull it to the edge of the tile and record the measurement. Take the number and add the distance for the spacer, such as 1/4 inch.
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7
Cut the tile after measuring for the appropriate distance. Use a wet saw to make clean cuts, and then clean and dry the tile with a towel before gluing it to the wall.
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8
Stir the tile grout powder with water until it looks like pancake batter. Apply the tile grout with a large sponge and grout float, smoothing it as you go. The grout must fill the spaces between the tiles. Allow it to set for 48 hours.
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9
Apply a grout sealant, following the directions on the label.
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References
- Photo Credit Tiler replacing wall tile in shower cubicle image by Bryan Clark from Fotolia.com
