How to Install Ceramic Wall Tiles in Kitchen Using Mastic
Ceramic tiles are an excellent covering for kitchen walls, because they're waterproof, durable, and come in a wide array of colors and styles. They're also relatively easy to install. Tiling a floor requires mortar, but for walls, you can use mastic, an adhesive that is generally easier to work with than mortar. Make sure the walls are solid, clean and dry before you start. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Carpenter's level
- Pencil
- Mastic
- Notched trowel
- Ceramic wall tiles
- Scoring tile cutter
- Grout
- Grout trowel
Instructions
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1
Mark a horizontal line across the bottom of the wall with your carpenter's level and pencil. Position the line above the floor by the height of a tile, plus one-quarter inch If the tiles are 5 inches high, the line should be 5 1/4 inches above the floor.
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2
Find and mark the middle of the line. Run a vertical line up through the middle of the wall, at the center, from ceiling to floor.
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3
Apply mastic along the bottom of the wall, over the whole length, so it comes above the horizontal line. The line should still be visible through the mastic.
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4
Set two tiles into the mastic, at on either side of the vertical line, with the top edges of the tiles lined up under the horizontal line. Put spacers between the tiles to create a space. There should be a 1/4-inch space between the tiles and the floor.
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5
Set the rest of the bottom course of tiles into the mastic, building out from the middle toward the sides. Keep the tiles lined up under the horizontal line. Put spacers between all of them. Use a tile cutter to cut the tiles at either far end of the course as needed.
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6
Hang the next row of tiles above the first, again starting at the middle vertical line and building to the sides. Repeat the process for each course, building up and tiling the whole wall.
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7
Let the tiles set for 12 hours. Pull out the spacers.
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8
Grout the wall, using a grout trowel to spread the grout starting at the top and working downward. Press it into the spaces between the tiles. Use a damp sponge to wipe off the excess grout from the tile surface.
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References
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Comments
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darkredgoldwing
Oct 12, 2010
A lot of things were missing from the list that should be there. My advice is to rewrite the piece completely. You might even try going to Home Depot for their Tile Installation class and then so the rewrite. -
darkredgoldwing
Oct 12, 2010
Kevin, you need to go back and do some homework on this subject. There is thinset available in powder form as well as premixed that would work better than mastic. The notched trowel size also depends upon what size tile is being used. You mentioned using 1/4" spacers between the tiles. The spacing can depend upon the size of the tile and also aesthetics for what looks good. The time should be laid out on the floor and different spacing used to see what looks good. When installing tile, it is better to wait 24 hours before applying grout. Speaking of grout, there is no reference as to how the consistancy should be. Again, this comes in powder or premixed form. There are several steps to do a proper grouting job which is missing here. One thing not mentioned was sealer for the grout. You should wait at least 72 hours after grouting to apply the sealer, which was also missing...
