How do I Install a Granite Backsplash With Undermount Cabinet Lights?
A granite tile backsplash is a beautiful and stylish addition to any kitchen. Installing a granite tile backsplash is easy to do when you know how to begin the project. In addition, granite tile backsplashes are easily highlighted with under cabinet lighting. Together, a granite backsplash and undermount cabinet lighting will help your kitchen to function beautifully. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Damp cloth
- Tile sealer
- Granite tiles
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
- Thin set mortar
- Notched trowel
- Tile spacers
- Wet tile saw with a diamond blade
- Grout
- Grout float
- Grout sponge
- Screwdriver
- Electrical box
- Utility knife
- Flat pry bar
- ½ inch spade drill bit
- Drill
- 12/2 nonmetallic (NM) electrical wire
- Wire cutter
- Dimmer switch
- Wire nuts
Instructions
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Installing a Granite Tile Backsplash
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1
Lightly sand the backsplash walls. A light sanding will prepare the wall to bond with the thin set mortar adhesive. Wipe down the walls with a damp cloth to remove the dust from sanding the wall.
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2
Seal the granite tile with a tile sealer. Follow the instructions as indicated by the tile sealer. Sealing the top of the tiles before installation will help you to avoid getting stuck-on dried grout, or grout stains.
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3
Decide on a layout for the tiles. Find a center line in your backsplash and mark it with a pencil. The center line can be located directly above the stove or sink.
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4
Spread thin-set mortar on the wall with a notched trowel. Place the tiles on top of the mortar. Start at the bottom of the backsplash and work up, placing tile spacers between each of the tiles. Starting at the bottom will allow the tiles to rest on one another as the mortar dries. Without starting at the bottom you may have tiles that slip and move around before they dry.
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5
Cut tiles that need to be trimmed on a wet tile saw. A diamond blade should be placed on the saw before cutting the tiles. The diamond blade will allow you to cut through the extremely hard surface of the granite tiles. Place the cut tiles on the wall. Allow the mortar to dry completely.
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6
Spread grout over the granite tiles with a grout float. Work the grout into all of the tiles joints. Use a grout sponge to wipe away the excess grout. Allow the grout to dry overnight.
Installing Under Cabinet Lighting
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7
Turn off the electricity to the kitchen at the electricity breaker box in your home.
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8
Unscrew the switch plate from the electrical outlet. Remove the switch from the outlet by disconnecting the wires. Determine which side of the outlet box is attached to the wall stud. Place the new double sided electrical box on top of the old one and trace the outline for the new box with a pencil.
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9
Cut away the traced outline for the new box with a utility knife. Once the space is enlarged, remove the old electrical box with a flat pry bar.
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10
Find the scored knockout hole in the back of the under cabinet light fixture. Hold the fixture in place under the cabinet with the knockout hole facing the wall. Use a pencil to mark a straight line from the knockout hole to the wall.
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11
Drill a hole in the wall directly under the cabinet where you marked the line from the knockout hole. The hole will be for the electrical wiring placement. Use a ½ inch spade drill bit to make the hole in the wall.
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12
Run a strip of 12/2 nonmetallic (NM) electrical wire through the hole down into the hole for the box. Add approximately 24 inches to the length of the wire and then cut the wire to size with a pair of wire cutter.
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13
Screw the light fixture to the bottom of the cabinet with screws and a screwdriver. Use the screwdriver to knock out the metal knockout hole in the fixture.
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14
Screw a cable connector into the knockout hole in the light fixture. Strip approximately 6 inches of the plastic coating away from top of the electrical wire with wire strippers. Run the electrical wire through the cable connector and finish tightening the cable connector screws with a screwdriver. The connector should clamp down on the plastic coating of the wire. Finish connecting the under cabinet lighting to the new wiring by following the manufacturer directions.
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15
Place the new two-switch electrical box into the hole in the wall. Run the existing wiring, and the new wiring through the back of the box. Screw the box into place with a screwdriver.
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16
Connect the dimmer switch to the electrical box by following the manufacturer directions. Fold the wires into the back of the box and screw the dimmer switch into place.
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17
Reconnect the light switch by matching the black, white, and bare ground wires to their counterparts. Cap each set of wires with a wire nut. Screw the light switch into the electrical box. Screw the plate cover into place with a screw driver.
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References
- Photo Credit kitchen image by yong hong from Fotolia.com
