How to Install Granite Tile Countertops Around a Farmhouse Sink
For a countertop with a farmhouse sink, granite tiles provide a commonly used accent that matches a general farmhouse kitchen décor. Most farmhouse sinks however, can be difficult to remove prior to tile installation. You can install the granite tiles around the sink however, placing the tiles in a way that makes them appear to be the original counter material. This smooth melding of original sink with new tiles will require proper preparation on your part. The result will be a seamless mix that provides you with a solid granite look without the labor of removing a typically large farmhouse sink. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Utility knife
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Straightedge
- Pen
- Granite tiles
- Thinset mortar
- Bucket
- Electric drill
- Paddle bit attachment
- Notched trowel
- Tile spacers
- Wet tile saw
- Masking tape
- Tile and grout sealant
- Brush
- Unsanded grout
- Grout float
- Sponge
- Lint-free cloth
- Silicone caulk
Instructions
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Shut off the water supply to the sink using the shutoff valves. Turn the valves counterclockwise until tight, and then turn on the faucet to empty the remaining water in the pipes.
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Remove any caulk present between the sink and the existing countertop with a utility knife. Cut through the caulk and then pull it from the counter, using a flat-head screwdriver for leverage where necessary.
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3
Test set the tiles onto the surface of the counter. Mark a guideline 1/4-inch out from the farmhouse sink and, using a straightedge and a pen, make a 1/4-inch guideline all the way around the sink. Place the tiles starting from the counter rear and working towards the front, using the straightedge to keep the tile rows even. Use as many full-sized tiles as possible, beginning 1/4-inch from the rear of the counter and working towards the counter edge. Mark a line using the pen at the edge of the rearmost tiles and the front tiles as guidelines for tile placement. Remove the test tiles.
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4
Mix a batch of thinset mortar according to the manufacturer's instructions in a large bucket. Use an electric drill with a paddle bit to mix the thinset thoroughly, adding water to the mixture until you have a mortar the consistency of peanut butter.
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Spread the mortar onto the countertop using a notched trowel, covering an area of about four square feet starting at the 1/4-inch marks from the edge of the farmhouse sink. Tilt the trowel so that it lies at a 45-degree angle and then go over the surface of the mortar to raise ridges.
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Mount the tiles to the countertop, using the guideline nearest the sink and at the rear of the counter, working towards the counter edge. Apply a slight twist to the tiles as you press them firmly to the counter surface for better adherence of the mortar to the tile back. Place two tile spacers between adjacent tile edges to allow for uniform joints between the tiles. Use this process to cover the entire countertop up to the edge, where partial tiles are necessary. Remove any excess grout from the tile surfaces immediately with a damp sponge.
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Measure the distance from the last full tile to the edge of the countertop. Cut the tiles to fit using a wet saw to cut through the granite tiles. Place the partial tiles onto the counter. Measure the width of counter sides, including the height of the top tiles placed. Cut partials to cover the sides and mount, using the mortar and following the joint lines so that the top edge of the tiles overlap the front edge of the top partial tiles. Use a strip of masking tape across the side tiles and over the top tiles to hold the side tiles in place as the mortar sets. Allow the mortar to set for two hours.
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Remove all of the tile spacers and the masking tape. Brush the surface of the tiles with a layer of tile and grout sealant to protect the color of the tiles when applying the grout. Allow the sealant to dry for two hours.
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Mix a batch of unsanded grout, and then spread the grout over the tile surfaces and into the joints between, filling them completely. Use a grout float to put the grout along the tiles into the joints. Grout all joints except those surrounding the sink. Wipe away excess grout from the tile surfaces after 15 minutes with a damp sponge. Wait 30 additional minutes and then wipe the surface of the tiles with a lint-free cloth.
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Fill the joints surrounding the sink with silicone caulk to prevent water from seeping beneath the tile edges.
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Wait for the grout to set according to manufacturer's instructions. Brush the tiles and grout with a second layer of the tile and grout sealant, and then allow the sealant to dry for 48 hours before using the surface. Turn on the water supply to the sink to complete the installation.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Andy Sotiriou/Photodisc/Getty Images
